2.5 Effectiveness of Parliament and Further Debates on Reform Flashcards
Following the minority government in 2017, how has the effectiveness of Parliament changed?
Effectiveness of Parliament increased as it was more efficient in providing an opposition as May’s government didn’t have a majority
Summarise the ways in which Parliament can said to be effective?
- holding to account // select committees
- democratic legitimacy // widespread support for UK system
- scrutiny of legislation // Public Bill Committees are formed in both houses. Lords has expertise
Summarise the ways in which Parliament can said to be ineffective?
- holding to account // MPs lack expertise in the questioning of ministers, party whips
- democratic legitimacy // Lords isn’t elected
- scrutiny of legislation // Public Bill Committees are whipped
How politically representative is Parliament?
Weak - it is distorted because of the FPTP voting system
How socially representative is Parliament?
Weak - 10% of MPs are from ethnic minority groups compared to 15% of the general population
Why has there been little appetite for changing the powers of the Lords?
There has been little political will or no agreement on what should be done.
Lords would delay the reform anyway
What are the 4 main proposals for reforming the House of Lords?
- appointing all members
- electing all members
- abolishment`
Arguments for and against appointing all members to the House of Lords?
For// life peers offer their expert opinion
Against // political makeup of the Lords may become imbalanced
Arguments for and against electing all members to the House of Lords?
For // more democratic
Against // FPTP produces dis proportionate results
Arguments for and against abolishing the House of Lords?
For // avoids political deadlock
Against // Lords provides scrutiny that the Commons does not provide
