11.2 - Parliament and Executive Relations Flashcards
Explain:
Ministers questions
- 1hr a day in parliament
- Backbenchers ask ministers questions about their department
Explain:
Prime Ministers questions
- 30 min on Wednesday, 12pm
- MPs ask the PM questions
- Leader of the opposition asks 6 questions first
What are the benefits of PMQs?
- Get direct answers from the PM
- Keep PM briefed on issues
What are the downsides of PMQs?
- “Punch and Judy” politics - more about point scoring
- MPs ask planted questions to make the government look good
What is the role of a departmental select committee?
- Scrutinise the actions of government departments
- Question ministers
List:
The benefits of select committees
- Scrutinise government departments
- Publish official reports on issues
List:
The downsides of select committees
- Ministers do not have to cooperate
Define:
Backbench rebellion
Backbenchers ( non-minister MPs ) voting againsst their party as an act of protest.
How is voting an effective method of holding the executive accountable?
- Rebellion has previously been successful in outvoting the government
- Threat of rebellion can keep the government from making unpoular decisions
How is voting an ineffective method of holding the executive accountable?
- Less effective with a larger majority
- Ineffective with 3-line whips - lose party membership
- HoL cannot stop law passing, only delay it
What is a vote of no confidence?
A vote by the opposition party in the House of Commons where MPs vote on whether they have confidence in the government.
What is a vote of confidence?
Vote by the PM to restore authority in parliament
How are votes of (no) confidence effective?
- James Callaghan removed by VONC in 1979
- John Major called a VoC in 1993 over a lack of support for the Maastricht Treaty
How are votes of no/confidence ineffective?
they are unlikely to succeed
What is it called when the executive significantly controls the legislature?
Elective dictatorship
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
parliament has the ultimate power to pass legislation
How does the government control legislation?
- Party whips
- Control over the parliament timetable
How do select committees have control over the executive?
- Gained more power through wright committee reform
- Backbench business comittee formed
- Debate topics selected by MPs rather than government
- Gov must respond within 60 days
How do parliament have controls over military action?
- Parliament is usually consulted before military action
- 2018 - Theresa May did not consult parliament
Why does the HoL have significant control over lawmaking?
- There is not a government majority so they can vote against bills
- They cannot be whipped
How does the government have control over lawmaking?
A large majority means they are more likely to be able to get laws passed by whipping MPs to vote in their favour
How is judicial independence achieved?
- Security of tenure - can act without fear of losing their position or being reprimanded by politicians
- No Parliamentary criticism of judicial activity can take place during a trial
- The Judiciary have an independent career route and an autonomous body
- few institutional links with the government training in the legal profession
How does the government control the legislature?
- The government is usually undefeated in votes because they have a parliamentary majority
- Government whips ensure the executive retains votes
- Government has a ‘payroll vote’ of MPs who vote in support of government policies
What makes ministers questions effective?
Pressure of government ministers to know their departments work
