8.2 - The Relationship between the Executive and Parliament Flashcards
Where does the executive lie in the British Parliamentary system?
Within Parliament.
Why is the executive accountable to the Commons?
Due to Parliamentary Sovereignty.
Why has it been claimed that Parliament is ineffective at holding the government to account?
- Government exterts a great deal of control over parliamentary business.
- Public Bill Committees always have a government majority and are whipped.
- A government with a large majority should be able to rely on the support of its MPs to pass the legislative programme it wishes.
- Government can change law via secondary legislation.
- The PM possesses extensive powers of patronage.
- The Salisbury Convention
How did Lord Hailsham describe the executive?
An ‘elective dictatorship’.
Why do minority / small majority governments find it difficult to pass legislature?
They might not be able to rely on the loyalty of backbenchers.
Give some examples of weak Parliamentary influence?
- Thatcher from 1979 - 87.
- Blair from 1997 - 2001.
- Cameron/Clegg from 2010 - 2015.
How was Thatcher’s tenure an example of weak parliamentary influence?
She led the Conservative party in a determined manner.
Labour split to form the SDP and Labour, so previous Labour voters had two parties to vote from.
Her majority increased to 144, with neither Foot nor Kinnock able to effectively challenge her policies.
How was Blair’s first tenure an example of weak parliamentary influence?
He won a majority of 179 seats.
The Conservatives were undermined by divisions ove EU membership and ineffective leadership of Hague.
How was Cameron/Clegg’s tenure an example of weak parliamentary influence?
The coalition led to the support of 363 MPs opposed to 259 Labour MPs.
The authority of government was enhanced by the fixed term parliament act 2011, scheduling the next GE for 2015.
With such a big majority, even significant backbench rebellions could be beaten.
What are some examples of strong parliamentary influence?
- Wilson/Callaghan from 1974 - 79.
- Blair from 2005 - 2010.
- May from 2017 - 2019.
How was Wilson’s final tenure an example of strong parliamentary influence?
He only had a majority of 3 seats after the 1974 GE.
Labour lost their majority over by-election defeats and Callaghan was forced to enter a C&S agreement with the Liberal Party in 1976.
How was Blair’s final tenure an example of strong parliamentary influence?
After his controversial invasion of Iraq in 2003, his majority was massively reduced with the support of only 35.2% of the electorate.
Backbenchers became less loyal, and he lost his first parliamentary vote.
When Brown became PM, the Conservatives were much more confident under Cameron.
How was May’s tenure an example of strong parliamentary influence?
The Conservatives lost seats after her decision for a snap general election, with May becoming PM of a minority administration.
She entered into a C&S with the DUP, making Brexit legislation more difficult to pass.
How have the powers of Parliament increased in recent years?
- Backbench business committee.
- Select committee chairs elected by secret ballot.
What is the Backbench Business Committee?
Allows backbenchers to determine issues that they wish to debate for 35 days each Parliament.
