E+A 3 different theories of representation

Question 1

E+A 3 different theories of representation

Answer 1

1. mandate theory
   MPs are elected to carry out their manifesto.
   most relevant to the lib/con coalition government from 2010-2015 with examples such as the promise in the 2010 conservative manifesto to give parents in England “the power to save schools threatened by closure allowing communities the chance to take over and run good small schools”. This came in the form of “Free Schools”
   It has been argued that many of the electorate have a rudimentary understanding of their political interests when it comes to voting, thus paying little attention to the manifestos
   the most prevalent and significant theory, as most votes are cast according to party and manifesto promises rather than for an individual candidate.
2. Burkean/trustee theory
   try to act in their best interests, because the people may not know what is in their best interests
   fairly rare nowadays in a political culture dominated by parties and a whipping system in Parliament on most votes.
   relevant on issues of conscience, e.g. votes on areas such as abortion and assisted dying where there is traditionally a free vote for MPs. In these cases, MPs very much exercise their own judgements.
3. delegate theory
   mouthpiece of the constituents
   the least effective or visible theory
   usually very hard for MPs to be certain what the general will of their constituents is over any given issue. A large mailbag or, more likely nowadays, a huge tranche of emails does not necessarily translate into the wider consensus of voters.
   Brexit referendum did offer this option, and did lead to some MPs, e.g. Stephen Lloyd, acting as delegates for the clearly stated views of a majority of their constituents and rebelling
   against the bulk of their party’s views.

Question 2

E+A 3 stages of the legislative process

Answer 2

1. second reading stage
   comes after the initial introduction of the bill (first reading) but before more detailed scrutiny in the committee stage.
   this is the first opportunity to debate and vote on the bill. A bill that gets through its second reading will normally end up being passed, especially if it is a government bill.
   This is also when backbench rebellions, if any, are likely to occur.
2. committee stage,
   temporary public bill committees operate, going through each bill line by line.
   this offers a major opportunity for legislative scrutiny, in reality as the government has a majority on these
   committees, major amendments — especially ‘wrecking amendments’ — are extremely unlikely. It is more
   about fine-tuning of legislation rather than fundamental principles.
3. royal assent
   the final stage and that it follows on from third readings in both houses.
   purely a formality nowadays — you should reference the Scottish Militia Bill. In reality, refusal by the monarch to sign a bill would lead to a constitutional crisis and jeopardise the Crown’s political neutrality. It is very much the
   ‘dignified’ stage of the legislative process, to use the terminology of Bagehot.

Question 3

E+A 3 ways that select committees could be seen as effective methods of executive scrutiny

Answer 3

1. makeup of select committees
   membership is made up, with a secret ballot to elect chairs, some of whom are from opposition parties, and that all members are backbenchers weakens the power of the whips and can lead to strong, more independently minded MPs often chairing committees
   Chaired by MPs with strong backgrounds 2019 the health sc chaired by GP Sarah Wollaston and replaced in 2020 by former health secretary Jeremy hunt
   enviro, food and rural affairs Robert parish conservative MP for Devon had a farming background
   It makes the committees more ready to criticise government
   departments and ministers.
2. reports issued by select committees.
   provide some examples, such as one from the Home Affairs select committee that criticised government quarantine arrangements for new arrivals into the UK during the Covid pandemic.
   government can ignore reports, and that the only requirement is a reply within 60 days, although it is estimated that
   40% of recommendations are accepted.
3. select committee hearings.
   a committee can summon witnesses to provide evidence before it, giving a couple of examples and noting that this can
   include ministers, civil servants and private individuals.
   sometimes ministers in particular can come off badly in such interrogations, providing a couple of examples, e.g. Nokes, and that even the prime minister is scrutinised in this manner, usually twice yearly by the Liaison Committee.
   Nokes appointed to chair of the women and equalities committee in 202
   that answers are often evasive, and civil servants in particular are somewhat constrained by the Osmotherly Rules in terms of what they can say/critique regarding their political masters