A parliament is a group of elected representatives who make laws and decisions for a country. It is an important part of a country's government, where members discuss issues, propose new laws, and debate policies. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, the parliament is divided into two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Members of parliament, often called MPs, represent the views and needs of their constituents, the people who live in their area. They work together to ensure that the government is accountable and that citizens' voices are heard in the decision-making process.