Parliamentary systems differ from other types of political systems in two important ways: the system of member selection and the relationship between legislature and executive. The former determines the legislature’s power; the latter influences how it exercises that power.
In parliamentary elections, people vote for a candidate to represent them in a geographic area called a constituency. Candidates are often from a particular political party but they are also elected on the basis of a proportional representation system whereby voters rank multiple candidates. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes cast, then the winner is determined by drawing lots.
Once a person has been elected to a seat they are responsible for passing laws on issues that affect the constituents of the area they represent. The UK has 650 constituencies where MPs (Member of Parliament) serve for up to five years. When a member is not returned to office, the House of Commons holds a by-election to find a new MP who will represent that area.
Parliamentary systems usually employ a system of government in which the head of state can either veto or sign legislation passed by parliament. In many countries, including the UK and New Zealand, there are checks on the legislative power of parliaments, such as a constitutional court that can declare a law unconstitutional. However, these are rarely exercised, and the only real check on the legislative power of parliaments in these countries is public pressure to vote members of the majority party out of office at the next election.
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