EXTRA-The roles of Members of Parliament Flashcards
What is an example of a smaller inner city area with a high populated density, constituency ?
Glasgow
What is an example of a vast rural territory?
Inverness West
What are often issues that MP’s from inner-city constituencies face?
-problems of housing, immigration and urban deprivation
What are the 4 main spheres of responsibility?
1) the party
2) the constituency
3) the nation
4) Own interest
Why do MP’s have an obligation to their party?
It was because of their party label that the overwhelming majority of MP’s was elected
What are MP’s expected to do as apart of a party in debates and votes and when promoting the party outlook?
to ‘toe the party line’
Under who’s leadership did many Labour MP’s find it difficult to support the leaderships policies on issues such as Iraq?
Tony Blair
After a vote of no confidence, how many votes did Jeremy Corbyn win on a re election as party leader?
by over 300,000
What do MP’s hold in their constituencies?
surgeries
In what way can an MP bring constituency grievances up in the HOC?
they can ask a question or write, or see a relevant minister
How do MP’s have an obligation to the whole country?
this is because they serve in the national legislature and are expected to attend the HOC regularly and make a contribution to debates
What should MP’s do when they are selected to be on a public bill or select committee?
they must inform themselves about the various problems on which they are called to vote
In what year did a survey say that on average an MP spends just over 50% of their working week on parliamentary as opposed to constituency work?
survey in 1996
How can an MP’s own interest be used?
in a Private Members’ Bill
As MP’s have own interests what might they do when lobbied?
they might act on the companies behalf having a particular concern for some sectional group
What is an example of when MP’s are expected by their constituents to present the local viewpoint when there is a problem?
when an industry is in decline such as fishing in the South West
although MP’s are expected by their constituents to present the local viewpoint when there is problem such as when a local industry is in decline such as fishing in the South West, what must MP’s also take into consideration?
the national getting as it may be that economic reality dictates that particular goods can no longer be economically manufactured locally
What is an example of when personal and party interests may conflict?
Such as when a left wing labour MP for reasons such as personal pacifism may be unable to accept their governments pursuit of a renewal of Trident
What is an example of when an MP’s personal views may differ with their constituents on ethical stances?
They may be pro-abortion and their constituents may be largely Roman Catholic constituents
What is an example of when an MP’s personal views may differ with their constituents on economic policies?
a pro-european MP may find it difficult to represent a fishing port in which there is a constant criticism of the damage done to the local trawler men by the Common Fisheries Policy
Who put forward the classic case of allowing an MP to act as an individual in 1774?
Edmund Burke
What did Edmund Burke say in 1774 in regards to MP’s roles?
That rather than be considered as delegates of voters, they should primarily be seen as members of parliament representing the one interest of the nation.
