   == The source of legislative authority == The opening sentence is wrong. It says In the politics of the United Kingdom, legislative authority (that is, the power to make laws) is vested in Parliament . . .   Incorrect. Legislative authority is vested in The Queen-in-Parliament, ie the participation of the monarch and the two houses. Unless the Queen Assents to a Bill, it cannot become law. In fact no monarch since Queen Anne with a Militia Bill in I think 1714 has declined to grant Assent. But Assent is still a legal requirement. Legislature authority exists only through The Queen-in-Parliament. Executive authority only exists through The Queen-in-Council with the cabinet exercising executive  power as a committee of the (Privy) Council. (That's why every minister must be a Rt. Hon, ie a member of the Privy Council.) So this article contains a fundamental mistake in its opening sentence. Oh dear! -)  05:47 14 Jul 2003 (UTC)  == When did the parliament first appear? == Hi, I have a really stupid question on the birth of the British Parliament.  According to the information on this web, there was no standing parliament pre-1640s.  So, when was the embrio of Parliament first formed, for what cause and under what circumstance?   20:40 3 Oct 2003 (UTC)