Case studies for the comparative powers

Question 1

When was there a confidence and supply agreement

Answer 1

2017, Conservatives were 8 seats short of a majority, arranged an agreement with the DUP

Question 2

Most important legal restraints on the power of the HoL

Answer 2

-Parliament act of 1911 and 1949

Question 3

What did the Parliament Act set out (2)

Answer 3

• Lords had no right to delay money bills

- Power to veto non- financial bills REPLACED by a power of delay up to 2 years

Question 4

What was the 1945 Salisbury Convention

Answer 4

-HoL cannot delay or block legislation that was included in a government’s manifesto

Question 5

Examples of Cross-bench peers playing an important role in holding government to account

Answer 5

in 2012, cross-bench Lord Owen, opposed controversial Health and Social Care Bill

Question 6

Examples of HoC rejecting HoL amendments

Answer 6

2012, the coalition government rejected several amendments to its Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Question 7

How many defeats did the coalition government experience in the HoL, compared to the Commons

Answer 7

-Over 100, compared to 6 in the House of Commons

Question 8

What do the HoL do?

Answer 8

Act as a revising chamber and assess proposed secondary legislation

Question 9

How has the number of statutory legislation increased?

Answer 9

1,100 in 1982 to 3,000 in 2015

Question 10

Urgent Questions example

Answer 10

-David Lammy questioning over Windrush scandal 2018