Effectiveness of parliamentary representatives in holding government to account.

Question 1

What does it mean to hold the government to account ?

Answer 1

refers to the ability to check or limit the power of the prime minister and their cabinet.

Question 2

How can you hold the government to account ?

Answer 2

inquiries, committees and PMQS

Question 3

What is a committee ?

Answer 3

They are made up of members from all parties. They scrutanise and force the government to change direction.

Question 4

How do PMQS hold the government to account?

Answer 4

• MPs can ask cabinet members about their work.
• It is done with cameras and broadcast on live TV so the public can watch.
• Ministers usually know the question in advance
• All MPs have to be ready to explain their decisions and they may be forced to change their policies because of pressure from MP’s

Question 5

How do PMQS not hold the government to account ?

Answer 5

The sessions often descend into political point scoring and arguments instead of letting the public hear genuine answers.
In a survey in 2015 it was reported that 67% of the public thought that there was too much political point scoring.
The tone of political debates are angry and bitter.

Question 6

What is proposing new legislation ?

Answer 6

Individual MPs can propose legislation in the house of commons. If it gains enough support, the proposed bill could become law.