2.2 The Composition Of The House Of Commons

Question 1

What are the main roles of MPs in the House of Commons?

Answer 1

To examine the government’s actions, vote on new laws, and potentially remove a government through a vote of confidence.

Question 2

What is a constituency?

Answer 2

A constituency is a geographical area, like a town or part of a city, with its own community and residents, represented by an MP in the House of Commons.

Question 3

What are the main roles of MPs in the House of Commons?

Answer 3

MPs examine the government’s actions to ensure it’s doing its job well, vote on new laws, and represent their local area’s interests.

Question 4

MPs examine the government’s actions to ensure it’s doing its job well, vote on new laws, and represent their local area’s interests.

Answer 4

The House of Commons can remove a government through a vote of confidence. If most MPs lose confidence in the government, it must resign.

Question 5

What is a vote of confidence?

Answer 5

A vote where MPs decide if they believe the government is doing a good job overall and if they still trust it to lead. A loss of confidence results in the government’s resignation.

Question 6

Why might MPs lose confidence in a government?

Answer 6

MPs may lose confidence due to government actions or scandals, broken promises, or changing circumstances like economic downturns or shifts in public opinion.

Question 7

What are frontbench MPs?

Answer 7

Frontbench MPs are Members of Parliament who hold special roles in their party, and sit on the front benches in the House of Commons.

Question 8

What roles can government frontbench MPs hold?

Answer 8

Government frontbench MPs can be senior ministers, junior ministers, or secretaries, chosen by the Prime Minister to lead specific departments or areas of government.

Question 9

What is the main role of frontbench MPs in the opposition party?

Answer 9

Opposition frontbench MPs (also known as shadow front bench) debate, scrutinize, and challenge the government’s policies and decisions. Their goal is to hold the government accountable, question its actions, and propose alternative solutions.

Question 10

How does the opposition frontbench differ from the government frontbench?

Answer 10

While both frontbenches have MPs in specific roles, the opposition frontbench is not in power and instead focuses on scrutinizing and opposing government actions while supporting their own party’s policies.

Question 11

What is collective ministerial responsibility, and who must follow it?

Answer 11

Collective ministerial responsibility requires frontbench MPs to publicly support all government policies, showing unity, even if they privately disagree.

Question 12

What are backbench MPs, and where do they sit in the House of Commons?

Answer 12

Backbench MPs are those without official roles in the government or opposition. They sit behind the frontbench MPs and have more independence to express their views and represent their constituency’s interests.

Question 13

How do the responsibilities of backbench MPs differ from frontbench MPs?

Answer 13

Unlike frontbench MPs, backbench MPs are not required to publicly support all party policies. They can speak more freely and question government policies, representing their local constituents more independently.

Question 14

What is the main role of party whips in the UK?

Answer 14

To maintain party discipline by ensuring MPs vote according to the party’s decisions and avoid rebellion.

Question 15

Why are party whips important for ensuring MPs follow their party’s manifesto promises?

Answer 15

They help maintain party unity by ensuring MPs stick to the party’s position, keeping leadership in control.

Question 16

How do party whips keep MPs in line?

Answer 16

They encourage MPs to support party decisions and report any potential rebellions to party leaders.

Question 17

What is a ‘three-line whip,’ and what does it signify?

Answer 17

It is a directive that MPs must attend and vote as the party wants on important issues. Ignoring it can lead to losing the party whip.

Question 18

What does ‘losing the whip’ mean for an MP?

Answer 18

It means the MP is no longer considered part of their party in Parliament.

Question 19

Give an example of MPs losing the party whip.

Answer 19

In September 2019, 21 Conservative MPs lost the whip for voting against the Conservative Party’s position on Brexit.

Question 20

Why are whips especially crucial when a government has a small majority?

Answer 20

Every vote counts, and losing even one MP’s support can risk the government losing a vote in Parliament.

Question 21

What incident involved Conservative MP Michael Heseltine and the mace?

Answer 21

In frustration over losing a vote by one vote, he grabbed the mace and waved it, showing the intense atmosphere around voting.

Question 22

Which conservative MP came late to a voting, allowing labour to win by just one vote.

Answer 22

MP Roger Sims

Question 23

What was the outcome of the 1979 vote of no confidence for the Labour government?

Answer 23

Labour lost by one vote (311 to 310), leading to their resignation and a general election.

Question 24

What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?

Answer 24

To remain impartial and ensure that Parliament runs smoothly and fairly.

Question 25

What are the key responsibilities of the Speaker of the House of Commons?

Answer 25

Organizing parliamentary business with party leaders, ensuring rules are followed in debates, and managing discipline among MPs

Question 26

How does the Speaker manage discipline in the House of Commons? Provide an example.

Answer 26

The Speaker can suspend MPs who are disruptive or abusive. For example, in 2022, SNP MP Ian Blackford was suspended for accusing Prime Minister Boris Johnson of misleading Parliament about lockdown parties.

Question 27

Since when has the Speaker of the House of Commons been chosen by a secret vote, and who was the first Speaker elected this way?

Answer 27

Since 2009, and the first Speaker elected by secret vote was John Bercow, who served from 2009 to 2019.

Question 28

What ceremony is associated with a newly chosen Speaker in the House of Commons?

Answer 28

The Speaker is traditionally “dragged” to the Speaker’s chair as part of a ceremony.

Question 29

How did John Bercow defend the rights of Parliament against government control?

Answer 29

He pushed for changes that gave backbench MPs more power to question and examine government actions.

Question 30

What change did John Bercow introduce to help MPs hold the government accountable?

Answer 30

He allowed MPs to ask more urgent questions, requiring ministers to respond immediately on the same day.

Question 31

In which year did John Bercow disagree with the government’s attempt to reduce debate time, and what important issue was being discussed?

Answer 31

In 2018, he opposed limiting debate time on the Grenfell Tower disaster. (The fire caused the deaths of 72 people and raised serious concerns about fire safety regulations, building materials, and emergency responses.)

Question 32

Who succeeded John Bercow as Speaker of the House of Commons in 2019?

Answer 32

Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Question 33

What action did Sir Lindsay Hoyle take in 2021 to hold the government accountable?

Answer 33

He criticized the Treasury for giving budget details to journalists before informing MPs, emphasizing Parliament’s role in decision-making.

Question 34

What are the two main roles of the Leader of the Official Opposition?

Answer 34

To question and challenge the government’s actions, ensuring their policies are closely examined, and to show the public that their party could be a suitable choice for government.

Question 35

To question and challenge the government’s actions, ensuring their policies are closely examined, and to show the public that their party could be a suitable choice for government.

Answer 35

Since the 1970s, the opposition has received Short Money to support the Leader of the Opposition’s office and help with their work in Parliament.

Question 36

How many questions is the Leader of the Opposition allowed to ask during Prime Minister’s Question Time each week?

Answer 36

Six questions.

Question 37

What is the purpose of the Leader of the Opposition asking questions during Prime Minister’s Question Time?

Answer 37

To challenge the Prime Minister on key issues, highlight any government mistakes, and present their own ideas as alternatives.

Question 38

What is a shadow cabinet?

Answer 38

A team of senior MPs from the opposition who “shadow” each of the government’s ministers, holding them accountable and demonstrating that the opposition has capable leaders ready for government.

Question 39

What role does each member of the shadow cabinet play?

Answer 39

Each shadow cabinet member focuses on a specific area, such as health or education, and questions the government minister responsible for that area.

Question 40

Why is the shadow cabinet important for the opposition party?

Answer 40

It shows that the opposition has knowledgeable leaders ready to take on government roles if they win an election.