11.2d Executive Dominance Over Parliament

Question 1

Elective dictatorship

Answer 1

An elective dictatorship is where the executive dominates the legislature.

This is mainly when the executive has a large majority in parliament, and was a term used by Lord Hailsham, the Lord Chancellor in 1976.

Question 2

Control over legislation

Answer 2

The government uses party whips to pass its bills through the House of Commons by instructing party backbenchers to vote in favour of their legislation.

The government controls the parliament’s timetable so they can decide what legislation parliament votes and debates on.

Question 3

Not effective dominance

Answer 3

If there is a small majority or a minority government then executive bills can be stopped from passing through parliament.