Does Parliament have little control over passing legislation?

Question 1

What are four arguments that Parliament does have control over passing legislation?

Answer 1

• Parliament has the opportunity to vote on all pieces of legislation. In particular - the commons, legislation can be passed, amended or rejected at any reading. All statutory legislation must be passed by the commons
• The Lords also has the possibility of scrutinising all legislation and has a reputation for revising bills very carefully, more independently minded than the commons. Deals with secondary legislation
• Legislative committees exist in both commons and lords to scrutinise legislation. One committee per piece of legislation. Looks for problems and possible improvements
• Parliament can initiate legislation through Private Member bills, these relate to topical issues those popular amoung voters or neglected by the government

Question 2

What are four arguments that Parliament has little control over passing legislation?

Answer 2

• All the power lies with the government as they have a majority in the House of Commons and are unlikely to block their own legislation. The executive rarely loses any legislative votes in the commons
• Lords lack democratic legitimacy and therefore authority, cannot scrutinise financial bills or bills linking to the manifesto (Salisbury convention) and all changed made can be reversed by commons. Lords have little control over legislation
• Government has a majority in on each of the legislative committees and members are picked on the basis of party loyalty. Do not amend or reject bills without permission from the executive . Powerless, weak and ineffectual.
• Private member bills rarely succeed in Parliament, less than 10% are successful. Only bills supported by the executive are likely to succeed