ETVT parliament performs its functions effectively Flashcards
sections
passing leg
scrutinizing govt
representing the electorate
examples
how may bills received royal assent
how may ammendents did the govt accept
which act got one day of scrutiny in 2024
76% of 43 bills
64
2024 passenger services railway public ownership act
- for passing leg
most important function
supreme leg body
pass and amend laws
majority and whips govt rarely gets denied a bill
2022/23 76% of 43 bills received royal assent
success: illegal migration act and online safety act
HOL offers amendments rarely halts passage
recognising limited democ legitimacy
if does get blocked parliament can override veto after a year
been used 7 times incl sexual offenses act 2000
HOL important in scrutinizing leg and offering ammendmentd
leveling up and regeneration act passed oct 2023 HOL ammmendments accepted by HOC
govt accepted 64 hol smmnedments
vast majority technical amendments
in emergencies able to push through bills
covid 19 2020 covid act in 6 days that limited HR
- against passing leg
HOL only have 1 year delaying power can be significant to force HOC. to compromise and ammend
espc when govt has small majority rebellions can be disruptive in preventing important leg being passed
BJ and TM failed to pass their brexit withdrawal agreements a number of times in 2019when C govt relied on supply and demand DUP for majority
leg being rushed leads to lack of scrutiny
2024 passenger railway services public ownership act got one day of scrutiny in committee stage and skipped report stage as no amendments accepted
- for scrutinising govt
govt held acc by parliament thru
select committees look into depth into issues calm and prof no political answers allowed
less partisan than PMQ
govt has to repost within 8 weeks
direct infl on govt policy ensuring govt departments perform effectively
in may 2023 govt accepted all of foreign affairs select comm recommendations in their report titled refreshing our approach?
govt agreed and took on recommendations incl. appointing a director of resilience in the cabinet office to focus on making the uk less dependent on other int actors
ministerial qt and PMQ
leader of opposition gets 6 q and third gets 2
2025 Dianne abbott social housing in her cons
- against scrutinisg govt
select committees ineffective
majoritydrawn from governing party
tradition that the influential treasury foreign affairs and defense commitees are chaired by MP of governing party
this limits effectiveness
18/27 chair of SC are L due to huge 174 seat majority
govt accepts 40 % of SC recommendations but usually minor changes
PMWs partisan political scoring
ministers and PM give political answers intended to deflect and get soundbites for SM rather than to honestly answer scrutiny
November keir was asked by Nigel whether he would prescribe irans revolutionary guard as a terrorist organization following trump assassination
strarmer joked that he would be on the immigration tactics
backbenchers asked pre drafted questions
Patrick hurley 2024 and asked PM if budget would include much needed investment
pm spoke about 1.3 million local govt
scrutiny depends on ability of backbenchers and leader of opposition
kemi criticized for failing to challenge starmer on 2025 chagos islands increasing to 18 bill compatibility with his no return to austerity
- for representing the electorate
HOC Is democratically elected
MPs rep small number of votes
voters hold to account vote diff
Scott benton breaching lobbying rules
2024 by election
rep local interests small constituency \Caroline notes blood scandal
improve direct rep
all women shortlists and mentoring promising candidates from minority backgrounds
after 1997 election 18% MPS were women and j 9 from minority
some argue parliament isn’t meant to be a microcosm of society
- against representing electorate
House of Lords: Unelected but holds significant power.
Most members appointed by the House of Lords Appointments Commission or party leaders.
Includes 92 hereditary peers and 26 bishops (Lords Spiritual).
Considered undemocratic and unrepresentative in a democracy.
House of Commons: Elected via First Past the Post (FPTP) but still unrepresentative.
MPs rarely vote independently—less than 2% of the time (2019-2024 Parliament).
Only 8 MPs rebelled more than 5% of the time; highest rebellion rate was 9.2% (David Davis).
Lack of Representation:
Women in Parliament (2024): 37% of MPs, 29% of Lords (compared to 50%+ of the population).
Ethnic minorities in Parliament (2024): 13% of MPs, 7.3% of Lords (compared to 18% of the population).
Leads to poorer understanding of public concerns and a narrower political agenda.
LOA
depends on function
