EXTRA-Individual MP's Flashcards
What are 3 ways MP’s can make a difference mainly
- criticise policy during question time
- initiate legislation
- convey their views via appearances
What is the motion of the adjournment?
this takes place prior to the recess, `at the end of each day’s sitting and in timed slots in the Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. MP’s seek to adjourn the House in order to raise topics of constituency interest or public concern.
How can an MP initiate legislation? (2)
- by winning a good position in the annual ballot of proven members
- introducing a bill under 10 minute rule
What may an MP’s desire to advance their career mean?
they are more unwilling to speak out in opposition to their parties policy
What has the ability for MP’s to act effectively and independently as free agents been restricted by?
the demands of party loyalty
Why is the number of mavericks small?
this is because those who have been dissidents have often fallen foul of the party
What 4 factors limit an MP’s ability to do their job well
- Poor facilities
- Immense amount and complexity of government business
- Growing burden of constituency work
- Service on public bill and select committees
How do poor facilities cause a MP’s job to be done well?
lack of office space, computerised equipment and assistance with handling constituency problems is a real impediment
Why is the immense amount and complexity of government a problem for MP”s when trying to do their job?
in the 20th century the role of government dramatically expanded and we now live in the age of the managed economy and welfare state. The voters have high expectations of their government. MP’s thus find it best to specialise in selected areas as it is unlikely that they can be informed about the whole range of policy issues. They have a lack of time therefore to absorb that information
What is a managed economy?
This is a situation in which there is a high degree of government intervention in the economy. The public expects that amongst many other things, ministers will act to combat unemployment, keep inflation down and protect consumes
Why does the growing burden of constituency work mean that MP’s can’t do their job effectively
Constituents assume that there member will be active in taking up their personal and social problems. All MP’s now have a very large post bag. Most MP’s are dealign with 2-3 hours of correspondence every day
Why do service on public bill committees or select committees prevent MP’s from ebbing able to do their job?
This removes the MP from the floor of the House which is the only place where ministers can really be challenged and governments placed under threat
What do some critics call MPs and why?
‘lobby fodder’ as they lack in independence and too willing to conform
How many rebellions were there under the Blair administration in 2005/2006?
95, involving 114 Labour MP’s
What were 54% of all rebellions in 2005/2006 regarding?
Home Office matters
out of 95 rebellions in 2005/2006, how many Labour MP’s were involved?
114 Labour MP’s
Who are party whips?
these are the officials who manage the supporters of their party in the HOC
Where does the term party whip come from?
from the hunting field where one person traditionally had the task of whipping in to the pack of hands as they pursued their quarry
How many whips assists the chief whip?
8-10
What is required of MP’s under a ‘three line whip’?
MP’s are expected to attend, absence only approved if a member is out of the country on parliamentary business, seriously ill or has other exceptional reasons
on occasion when can MP’s miss votes?
if they can make an approved pairing arrangement
What is an example of when a party split meant the potential loss of a governing party’s majority?
the Callaghan and Major governments was often jeopardised
Why is the backing of MP’s needed when a party is in government?
as the government usually wish to legislate on what they have mentioned in their manifesto in order to carry out their mandate.
Why are divisions harmful to parties?
They provide opportunities for other parties and journalists to expose and exploit their indifferences
What can parties which face three ways in a division cause?
this can cause confusion for the public and commentators who are unsure what party policy actually is
What is pairing?
this is an arrangement where an MP of one party agrees with an MP of another party not to vote in a particular division. This gives both MP’s the putridity to absent themselves from Commons proceedings. Such arrangements have to be registered with the whips
Why would MPs normally toe the party line in public?
as in the privacy of the Parliamentary labour Party or the 1922 Committee they can argue for a concession of the minster; if doubts are largely held they will usually get one.
What is an example of when a minister was flexible in concessions in order to get a measure onto the statute book?
several concessions were made during the passage of a bill providing for tuition fees for students in higher education 2003-2004 in order to ensure the statute was passed
What is the ‘carrot and stick’ method?
for many young MPs who hope to climb the ministerial ladder, the prospect of early promotion keeps them in line
What were the largest 2 rebellions over Iraq in 2003?
121 and 137
What other issues were there rebellions over in 2003? (2)
- Fox hunting
- foundation hospitals
What were Labour MP’s keen to inflict on the Blair government whose leadership style and policies they disliked?
a ‘bloody nose’
When are free votes usually given?
on socio moral issues
When was a free vote given in 2003?
on fox hunting
How many Labour MP’s rejected fox hunting?
329
How many years ago were the demands MP’s faced a lot less demanding?
150 years ago
According to Richards 1964 who can MPs be (4)?
- Useful Party members
- good constituency members
- Individualists
- part timers
According to whom in what year can MP’s be
- useful party members
- good constituency members
- individuals
- part timers?
Richards 1964
What did Richard 1964 mean when he said MP’s can be useful party members?
such members tend to specialise in particular areas of policy and serve on relevant committees and appear on the media to duchess issues on which they contribute their expertise
What did Richards 1964 mean when he said MP’s can be good constituency members?
Such MP’s devote much of their time to constituency work, taking up personal cases and earning themselves a well deserved reputation fro diligence
What did Richards 1964 mean when he said MP’s can be independents within a system?
These MP’s are colourful characters who are not easily contained within the party system, such as Denis Skinner. Richard Shepherd (Con) is active in areas of freedom of information and known as being a courageous member. MP George Galloway, now of Respect has been a fearless critic of government policy over many areas
Who are the two examples of individuals within a party?
- Richard Shepherd, Conservative, active in the areas of freedom of information and a courageous member
- George Galloway, now of Respect has been a fearless critic of government policy over many areas
What did Richards 1964 means when he said MP’s can be part timers?
Some MP’s still seek to combine their parliamentary activity with an outside occupation, perhaps serving in journalism, the law or business
