Crib sheet 3: parliament Flashcards
What is a bi-cameral system of government
has two legislative chambers: house of commons and house of lords. Legislation must pass both to receive Royal Assent and become law.
Describe the house of commons
650 elected members (MPs)
Largest party usually forms government
About 100 form government by being appointed ministers or junior ministers
The second largest party becomes the official opposition and forms a Shadow Cabinet
The rest are backbench MPs
They represent their constituents but are also members of political parties
They hold the executive into account by asking oral and written questions to the PM
They take part in debates in commons and vote on bills
How can backbench MPs raise issues
Early Day Motions, Urgent Debates and Adjourment Debates
How do they introduce their own legislation?
Private member’s bill. MPs are chosen by ballot to do this
What are Select Committees
a group of backbechers that scrutinise a particular department
What are Bill Committees
group of backbenchers that scrutinise a Bill as it passes through Commons
What are whips
They are MPs appointed to maintain party discipline among their fellow MPs
What is the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA)
following the 2009 expenses scandal, a new body was set to regulate MPs salary and expenses
Who is the Speaker
An MP who is supposed to be politically neutral who chairs the debates
What is the hansard
the official record of parliamentary business
What was created after the 2009 expenses scandal?
Describe the house of lords
Not elected
800 members
One of the largest legislatures in the world
Includes 26 senior Church of England clergy (lord spiritual)
92 hereditery peers
rest are Life Peers
Peers. not affiliated with a political party are crossbenchers
Plans for reform to create a partially elected chamber were abandoned in 2011 followed by disagreements between the tories and libdems
What are the stages of a bill passing
Green paper- rough draft of the idea to be sent out for consultation
White paper- firmer outline of the proposed bill
First reading- title of bill is read out on the floor of Commons
Second reading- Bill is debated in the Commons
Committee stage- Bill is scrutinised by committee of backbenchers
Report stage- committee reports back with recommendations for amendments
Third reading- Bill is debated in its final form
Government can impose a guillotine to speed up the process
Bill goes to Lords if it passes Commons
Lords can suggest amendents but they have to be accepted by Commons
They cannot delay a Money Bill
They can delay up tp 13 months
once approved it received Royal Assent and becomes law of the land
