CHAPTER 2 -- THE STRUCTURE & FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT

Question 1

OUTLINE THE ROLE OF THE PRIME MINISTER.

Answer 1

• Commands an overall majority in Commons
• Parliament although expected to scrutinise and check the government, cannot quite do that when the PM can rely on the Commons to vote the way they want
• Prime example of how the executive dominates the legislature

Question 2

OUTLINE THE ROLE OF THE SPEAKER WITH AN EXAMPLE.

Answer 2

• Commands order to ensure as many MPs are allowed to speak in debates (parliamentary privilege)
• Administer rules in the Commons + can suspend rule-breaking MPs
• For example, ex-speaker John Bercow suspended Labour MP Skinner for calling the PM David Cameron ‘Dodgy Dave’ and refusing to retract remarks