Senator Carol Ann Marie Bassett explains the role of the second Chamber and how many Parliaments around the world have opted for bicameralism
Sen the Hon. Carol Ann Marie
Bassett, JP Senator Bassett is the President of the Senate. Besides 26 years experience in the insurance industry, she was one of the first members of the Committee for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE).
A bicameral Parliament A bicameral Parliament or bicameral Legislature is a Parliament or Legislature which consists of two chambers or houses. Other examples of countries with a two-house system of government include the United Kingdom (House of Commons and the House of Lords); the United States (Congress which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives); Canada (Senate and the House of Representatives) and Bermuda (Upper House (Senate) and the Lower House (House of Assembly)). The relationship between the two chambers varies; in some
10 | The Parliamentarian | 2009: Issue One - Bermuda
Sen. the Hon. Carol Ann Marie Bassett, JP
cases, they have equal power, while in others, one chamber is clearly superior in its powers. Some political scientists believe
that bicameralism makes meaningful political reforms more difficult to achieve and increases the risk of deadlock (particularly in cases where both chambers hold equal power). Others argue strongly for the merits of the checks and balances provided by the bicameral model, which they believe help prevent the passage into law of ill-considered legislation. Sir Winston Churchill has been quoted as saying of the U.K. model: “This system is not perfect, but it is the best system of government yet devised by men”. The seeds of present day bicameralism are found in three places.