Essayzzz And Examplezzz

Question 1

The HofC is in greater need of reform than the HofL. Discuss (40)

Answer 1

FOR (HofC)
Descriptive Representation 
e.g. 29% female MPs (2014)
Lack of varied expertise 
e.g. PPE Fastrack 
Legitimacy
• Elective Dictatorship
e.g. Gordon Brown never won an election
Debate
e.g. HofC debated for 700 hours on fox hunting
e.g. No vote held over Trump debate 

AGAINST (HofL)
No democratic legitimacy
e.g. 92 hereditary peers
Scrutiny
• Full bicameralism requires two elected chambers
e.g. HofL can only delay HofC bills for one year
Descriptive Representation
e.g. Average age = 70
Reason for nomination
• Parties can nominate Lords to strengthen their party’s say in the chamber
e.g. Lord Balfe

Question 2

Parliament carries out none of its functions adequately. Discuss (40)

Answer 2

FOR
Scrutiny 
• PMQs are farcical 
e.g. Cameron called Miliband a turkey 
• Only 20 Opposition days in a Parliamentary session 
• Not full bicameralism 
• Don't have to turn up to select committee meetings
Representation
• V poor at descriptive representation in both chambers 
e.g. 29% female MPs in HofC
e.g. Average age = 70 in HofL
Legitimacy
• Elective Dictatorships 
e.g. Gordon Brown 
Minister recruitment 
e.g. PPE Fastrack 

AGAINST
Scrutiny
• Select Committees and HofL have the time to discuss at length
• Long process for a bill to be passed (7 stages)
Representation
• Good at functional representation and Burkean representation
e.g. Bombing Syria 2015
Legitimacy
e.g. Tony Blair landslide majority 1997
Minister Recruitment
e.g. Sarah Wollaston

Question 3

HofL is now more effective than HofC in checking government power. Discuss. (40)

Answer 3

FOR (HofL)
Specialist knowledge 
e.g. Lord Balfe 
Unelected - unbiased 
Deliberation 
Scrutiny 
• HofC can't ignore HofL a
e.g. Forced Parliament to use a Parliament Act to force through anti-hunting legislation 

AGAINST 
Representation 
• MPs are acting in the electorate's behalf 
e.g. Daniel Zeichnir is the Cambridge MP
Legitimacy 
e.g. 66.6% HofC voted for to oppose the government (2015)
Deliberation 
• Select Committees 
• PMQs

Question 4

Assess the arguments in favour of a largely, or wholly elected second chamber (25)

Answer 4

FOR
Democratic Legitimacy
e.g. Voting gives representatives legitimacy to act on their behalf
Scrutiny
e.g. HofL can currently only delay bills for one year
Ending executive tyranny
• Both chambers would have equal authority

AGAINST 
Apathy and Hapathy 
e.g. 2012 Survery - 79% vs 72% 
Specialist Knowledge 
e.g. PPE Fastrack in Commons 
e.g. Lords are generally older - more experienced 
Gridlocked Government 
e.g. Commons spent 700 hours debating fox hunting because of opposing views

Question 5

To what extent is the HOfC a effective in carrying out its functions? (25)

Answer 5

FOR
Representation 
• good at functional and Burkean representation 
e.g. Syria Bombing 2015
Legitimacy 
e.g. Blair landslide government of 1997
Recruitment of Ministers
e.g. Sarah Wollaston 

AGAINST 
Representation 
• Descriptive representation 
e.g. 29% female MPs 
Legitimacy 
e.g. Gordon Brown never won an election 
Recruitment of Ministers 
e.g. PPE Fast track

Question 6

To what extent does Parliament control executive power? (40)

Answer 6

FOR
Scrutiny
• HofL and Select Committees have time to scrutinise in detail using their expertise
e.g. Liaison Committee - question PMs three times a year
Backbench MP Rebellion
• Private Member Bills
• Ballot Bills
e.g. HofL reform (2011-12) proposed by Lib Dems but defeated by Conservative Backbenchers
HofL
• Can’t pass legislation without both chamber’s approval
e.g. HofL can delay HofC bills for one year

AGAINST
Scrutiny
• PMQs have turned into some thing farcical
e.g. Cameron called Miliband a turkey
• Liaison Committee only meet three times a year
Backbench MPs
• Only given 27 days to put forward their proposals
• Only 20 opposition days a year
HofL
e.g. Can’t stop money bills

Question 7

How effective are backbench MPs? (40)

Answer 7

FOR
Backbench Rebellion
e.g. HofL Reform 2011-12
e.g. Syria 2013
Private Members Bills
• Often effective at making a point
• Even if they don’t result in a change of legislation they may draw attention to a subject
e.g. Douglas Carswells - Euroscepticism
Select Committees
• Not hindered by party whips or party delegates
e.g. Monetary policy video on YouTube

AGAINST 
Part Whips
• Control Backbenchers 
e.g. Government has only been defeated 7 times since 2010
Private Members Bills 
• Very few get passed 
e.g. Douglas Booth - Scepticism 
Select Committees 
•. Politicians can ignore them if they want