4.2 the relationship between the executive and parliament

Question 1

What is elective dictatorship?

Answer 1

describes the way in which power had become concentrated in the hands of the executive

Question 2

What is an example of the 2010 coalition government doing as it wishes?

Answer 2

passed the Fixed Term Parliaments Act in 2011 which had not been put before the electorate

Question 3

What is an example of the Blair government doing as it wishes?

Answer 3

• attempted to abolish the post of lord chancellor without any consultation

Question 4

What factors have led to the arise of executive dominance?

Answer 4

• FPTP system
• the whip system and the PM’s use of patronage
• government domination of the legislative timetable
• Salisbury convention and the Parliament Acts

Question 5

How can the task of holding the executive account be assessed?

Answer 5

• parliaments influence over government legislation
• parliaments scrutiny of other government activities
• parliaments ability to remove governments and ministers