11.2 - Parliament and Executive Relations

Question 1

Explain:

Ministers questions

Answer 1

• 1hr a day in parliament
• Backbenchers ask ministers questions about their department

Question 2

Explain:

Prime Ministers questions

Answer 2

• 30 min on Wednesday, 12pm
• MPs ask the PM questions
• Leader of the opposition asks 6 questions first

Question 3

What are the benefits of PMQs?

Answer 3

• Get direct answers from the PM
• Keep PM briefed on issues

Question 4

What are the downsides of PMQs?

Answer 4

• “Punch and Judy” politics - more about point scoring
• MPs ask planted questions to make the government look good

Question 5

What is the role of a departmental select committee?

Answer 5

• Scrutinise the actions of government departments
• Question ministers

Question 6

List:

The benefits of select committees

Answer 6

• Scrutinise government departments
• Publish official reports on issues

Question 7

List:

The downsides of select committees

Answer 7

• Ministers do not have to cooperate

Question 8

Define:

Backbench rebellion

Answer 8

Backbenchers ( non-minister MPs ) voting againsst their party as an act of protest.

Question 9

How is voting an effective method of holding the executive accountable?

Answer 9

• Rebellion has previously been successful in outvoting the government
• Threat of rebellion can keep the government from making unpoular decisions

Question 10

How is voting an ineffective method of holding the executive accountable?

Answer 10

• Less effective with a larger majority
• Ineffective with 3-line whips - lose party membership
• HoL cannot stop law passing, only delay it

Question 11

What is a vote of no confidence?

Answer 11

A vote by the opposition party in the House of Commons where MPs vote on whether they have confidence in the government.

Question 12

What is a vote of confidence?

Answer 12

Vote by the PM to restore authority in parliament

Question 13

How are votes of (no) confidence effective?

Answer 13

• James Callaghan removed by VONC in 1979
• John Major called a VoC in 1993 over a lack of support for the Maastricht Treaty

Question 14

How are votes of no/confidence ineffective?

Answer 14

they are unlikely to succeed

Question 15

What is it called when the executive significantly controls the legislature?

Answer 15

Elective dictatorship

Question 16

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 16

parliament has the ultimate power to pass legislation

Question 16

How does the government control legislation?

Answer 16

• Party whips
• Control over the parliament timetable

Question 17

How do select committees have control over the executive?

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

How do parliament have controls over military action?

Answer 18

• Parliament is usually consulted before military action
• 2018 - Theresa May did not consult parliament

Question 19

Why does the HoL have significant control over lawmaking?

Answer 19

• There is not a government majority so they can vote against bills
• They cannot be whipped

Question 20

How does the government have control over lawmaking?

Answer 20

A large majority means they are more likely to be able to get laws passed by whipping MPs to vote in their favour

Question 21

How is judicial independence achieved?

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

How does the government control the legislature?

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

What makes ministers questions effective?

Answer 23

Pressure of government ministers to know their departments work

Question 24

Who asks questions at ministers questions/PMQs?

Answer 24

Backbenchers

Question 25

How long does the government have to respond to Select committee reports?

Answer 25

60 days

Question 26

When is backbench rebellion not possible?

Answer 26

A three line whip is in place

Question 27

How were the powers of select comittees strengthened?

Answer 27

Wright Committee reforms in 2009

Question 28

What did select committee reform achieve?

Answer 28

• Reduced number of committees
• MPs vote for committee chairs
• Formed Backbench Business Committee

Question 29

3 examples of parliament having power over military action

Answer 29

• Voted against military intervention in Syria in 2013
• Voted in favour of military action in Syria in 2015
• Voted in favour of military action in Iraq in 2014

Question 30

Example of Parliament not having control over military action?

Answer 30

Theresa May sent airstrikes to Syria without Parliaments approval in 2018