Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Edexcel A Level Politics > C2: Parliament > Flashcards

C2: Parliament Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Legislature in the UK?

A

The Parliament, where all elected MPs sit. Parliament passes all laws.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the Executive in the UK?

A

The Cabinet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the Government?

A

The Cabinet, or ‘Frontbench’, formed by the largest party in the Commons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is meant by the Bicameral system?

A

The ‘Two-Chamber’ system, made of the HoC and the HoL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the Cabinet?

A

A group of ministers appointed by the PM. Each minister has their own set of responsibilities (Chancellor, Home Sec, etc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a strength of the UK Parliament structure?

A

Bicameral system acts as a check on executive power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a weakness of the UK Parliament structure?

A

Monarch is constitutional only - serves no purpose
Electorate does not pick the PM - voted for Johnson, have had Truss & Sunak
HoL unelected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What electoral system does the UK Parliament use?

A

First Past the Post

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How often are HoC elections held?

A

Every 5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Fixed-Term parliaments act?

A

An act that said parliaments cannot call early elections unless a no-confidence vote is lost or 2/3 of MPs support an early election.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When was the Fixed Term parliaments act repealed?

A

2022

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What happens when an MP dies or steps down?

A

A by-election is held

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is an example of an independent MP?

A

Douglas Carswell UKIP stepped down in 2017 and became an Independent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is an example of an MP crossing the floor to another party?

A

Christian Wakeford to Labour in 2022
Phillip Lee to Lib Dems in 2019

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the upper limit to members of the House of Lords?

A

There is none

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How many Lords are there currently?

A

778

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the three categories of Lords?

A

Hereditary Peers, Life Peers, Lords Spiritual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the four functions of Parliament

A

Legislate, Scrutinise, Represent, and Legitimacy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How does Parliament fulfill its role to legislate?

A

It can make or amend laws on any matter
Parliament is the supreme law-making body in the UK
Private Member’s Bills can be tabled by any MP

20
Q

What is the role of the Lords in legislation?

A

They can suggest amendments to non-money bills and return them to the Commons
Can veto bills for a year

21
Q

In what ways is Parliament ineffective at legislation?

A

Parliament is reactive - most bills come from the executive & PMBs rarely passed
Whips force MPs to vote along party lines
Overriding necessity or secondary legislation can be used to force bills through (2005 Control Orders)

22
Q

What forms of scrutiny are there in Parliament?

A

Questions to Ministers, PMQs, Select Committees, Debates

23
Q

In what ways is Parliamentary Scrutiny effective?

A

Several mechanisms in place to deliver govt. scrutiny
PMQs is once a week
Debates can lead to change - Cameron & Syria
Select committes can change legislation - reviewed Covid response

24
Q

In what ways is Parliamentary Scrutiny ineffective?

A

PMQs and debates are theatrical in nature
Select Committees are political in nature - Jonhson tried to install Grayling as head of Defence SC 2020

25
Who do MPs represent?
Their constituents Their Party The electorate as a whole
26
How is Parliament ineffective at representation?
Nepotism in HoL appointments - Jo Johnson Commons not representative of society - 70% men, 5% from ethnic minorities Commons representation distorted by FPTP Whips force MPs to vote along party lines
27
How is Parliament effective at representation?
No party has overall control of Lords MPs can technically vote as they wish Hereditary peers being phased out - all but 96 in 1997 MPs directly accountable to local constituents due to FPTP
28
How does Parliament make the government legitimate?
Government is made up of people directly elected as MPs Direct Democratic mandate through being the largest party Government reflects concerns through the Ministerial code
29
How is Parliament ineffective at providing legitimacy?
Constituents do not directly vote for PM Scandals damage Parliamentary legitimacy - Hancock, Johnson, Patel, Raab, Zahawi, etc.
30
What are the powers of the House of Commons?
Exclusive authority over taxation & expenditure - HoL cannot block money bills Salisbury convention - Lords cannot block manifesto pledges
31
What are some of the limits of the House of Commons?
Devolved powers get a say over their areas - e.g. Hollyrood HRA 1998 - all legislation must comply (Rwanda) Parliamentary Ping-Pong with the Lords Supreme Court can undergo Judicial review - 2019 prorogation of Parliament blocked
32
What are the powers of the House of Lords?
Advises the government Can delay non-money bills for a year Greater party political balance
33
What are the limitations of the House of Lords?
Lacks democratic legitimacy Cannot directly amend or block bills - can only veto Cannot interfere with money bills or manifesto pledges Commons usually wins Parliamentary Ping-Pong Parliament Act can force through legislation - 2000 equality of age of consent for LGBTQ+
34
What is a legislative bill?
A proposal for a new law or change to an existing law
35
What is an Act of Parliament?
A bill that has become law
36
What are the four types of Bill?
Government Bill - put forwards by the govt Private Bill - put forwards by a local company or organisation Hybrid Bill - mix of Govt and Private Bill Private Member's Bill - put forwards by an individual MP
37
What is the process by which a bill becomes law?
Origin First Reading Second Reading Committee Report Third Reading House of Lords Royal Assent
38
In what ways are backbench MPs effective?
Private Member's Bills - can introduce legislation Can scrutinise bills Represent local constituents Parliamentary privelige - cannot be prosecuted for what they say in Parliament Backbench Business Committee - picks topics for debate Can rebel against the govt Can raise Urgent Questions for ministers
39
In what ways are backbench MPs ineffective?
Most PMBs fail Scrutiny can lead to amendments, but cannot veto or scrap Limited representation due to whips Urgent Questions often depend on Speaker Debate time limited to 10 minutes to speak Govt controls legislative programme
40
How are Select Committees effective?
Selected by MPs rather than whips Composition reflects parliamentary makeup High levels of scrutiny - witnesses, can summon MPs Highly public & televised Produce reports that the government has to respond to within 2 months Often contain experts - ex-chancellor Nigel Lawson on the Economic Affairs committee
41
What are Select Committes?
Bodies which scrutinise the policy administration & spending of a government department
42
How are Select Committes ineffective?
Political Interference - Johnson tried to install Grayling as chair of defence SC 2020 Government dominates important SCs - Treasury, Foreign affairs Can only cover limited topics Poor attendance, high turnover Cannot call some witnesses - blocked by Home Sec May in 2013 Questionable impact - rarely changes policy
43
What is the Opposition?
The second largest party in the Commons
44
How are the Opposition effective?
They attack government through media Replies to the budget & the Queen's speech Given 20 days per year to propose debate PMQs - once a week for 30 minutes
45
How is the opposition ineffective?
Government maority matters - huge majority & the opposition is largely unimportant PMQs is Gladiatorial & theatrical - often planned friendly questions

Edexcel A Level Politics (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions