FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT - TOPIC 3 Flashcards
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION?
HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE BY SCRUTINISING GOVT POLICIES THROUGH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES TO ENSURE GOVT IS TRANSPARENT AND LAWS PASSED ARE IN BEST INTEREST OF PUBLIC AND DON’T VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
HOW DOES THE OPPOSITION PERFORM THEIR ROLE?
CRITICALLY EXAMINE PROPOSED LAWS AND AMEND OR BLOCK LEGISLATION THAT THEY DEEM UNECESSARY. OPPOSITION ALSO PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE POLICIES AND PERSPECTICES ENSURING MULTIPLE VIEWS ARE REPRESENTED.
WHAT POWERS DO THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION HAVE?
- SCRUTINY OF GOVT THROUGH QUESTION TIME OR THROUGH FORMAL DEBATES WHICH FORCE GOVT TO JUSTIFY ACTS QUICKLY.
- ABILITY TO CALL A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE WHICH IF PASSED CAN FORCE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVT AND TRIGGER NEW ELECTIONS.
- MAY COLLAB WITH OTHER SMALLER PARTIES TO FORM A UNIFIED FRONT AND MAXIMISE POWER TO CHALLENGE GOVT AGENDA.
WHAT ARE SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS?
MADE UP OF OFFICIAL OPPOSITION MEMBERS WHO SHADOW MINISTERS IN THE RULING GOVT.
WHAT DO SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS DO?
RESPONSIBLE FOR SCRUTINISING THE WORK OF THEIR CORRESPONDING GOVT MINISTER ENSURING THAT THEY ARE HELD ACCOUTABLE.
WHAT LIMITS ABILITY OF OPPOSITION TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE?
WHEN GOVERNING PARTY HAS MAJORITY IN HOC, THEY CAN EASILY PASS LEGISLATION AND CONTROL PARLIAMENT AGENDA - REDUCES ABILITY FOR OPPOSITION TO CHALLENGE OR AMEND GOVT PROPOSALS.
WHAT LIMITS POWER OF OPPOSITION TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE? (2)
OPPOSITION DON’T HAVE SAME ACCESS TO DATA AS MINISTERS DO. CAN REQUEST INFO THROUGH MECHANISMS E.G PARLIAMENTARY QS OR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS - BUT GOVT CAN WITHHOLD SENSITIVE INFO OR DELAY RESPONSES.
HOW ARE PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES OF OPPOSITION PARTIES FUNDED?
OPPOSITION PARTIES RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVT - STATE FUNDING WHICH IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ACTIVITY WITHIN PARLIAMENT E.G RESEARCH AND STAFF SALARIES. USUALLY BASED ON NUMBER OF SEATS. NO STATE FUNDING GIVEN FOR CAMPGAIN PURPOSES.
WHAT IS SHORT MONEY?
INTRODUCED BY LABOUR (HAROLD WILSON) IN 1975 WITH GOAL OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OPPOSITION TO ENABLE THEM TO SCRUTINISE GOVT EFFECTIVELY.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF QS TO MINISTERS AND PMQS?
OPPORTUNITY FOR SCRUTINY, ACCOUNTABILITY, POLICY CLARIFICATION AND DEBATE - SERVE TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE AND ENHANCE PUBLIC TRUST. ESSENTIAL FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
WHAT ARE URGENT QUESTIONS?
QS THAT REQUIRE A GOVT MINISTER TO COME TO THE HOC CHAMBER AND GIVE AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
HOW IS AN URGENT QUESTION PROPOSED?
AN MP CAN APPLY TO THE SPEAKER FOR AN URGENT Q IF THEY THINK A MATTER IS URGENT OR UNLIKELY TO BE RAISED IN ANOTHER WAY. IF SPEAKER AGREES, Q IS ASKED AT END OF THAT DAYS Q TIME
WHY ARE QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS REAGRDED AS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PMQS?
QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS OFFER MORE DETIALED AND SUBSTANSIVE EXAMINATION OF GOVT POLICIES WHOLS PMQS ARE MORE FOR PUBLIC ATTENTION.
WHAT DO SUPPORFERS OF PMQS ARGUE?
- VITAL AS THEY HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE, FOSTER POLITICAL DEBATE AND ENGAGE PUBLIC. 2. OPPORTUNITY FOR PM TO BE DIRECTLY QUESTIONED.
- PROMOTE HEALTHY DEMOCRATIC COMPETITON.
4.COVERED IN MEDIA SO MAKE POLITICS ACCESSIBLE FOR PUBLIC
WHY IS PMQS REGARDED AS THEATRE RATHER THAN TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY?
FORMAT AND OUTCOMES INFLUENFED BY FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE AND POLITICAL POINT SCORING RATHER THAN SUBSTANTIVE POLICY DISCUSSION. LAST AROUND 30 MINS LEADING TO RAPID FIRE EXCHANGES WHERE PRIORITY IS ON MEMORABLE 1 LINERS AND RHETORICAL FLOURISHES AND QUICK REBUTTALS
WHAT IS A PUBLIC BILL COMMITTEE?
COMMITTEE SET UP BY HOC TO EXAMINE DETAILS OF A PARTICULAR BILL.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF PUBLIC BILL COMMITTEES?
ALL BILLS EXCEPT MONEY BILLS ARE SENT TO THEM AFTER THE 2ND READING. EXAMINE EACH BILL LINE BY LINE, MAKE AMENDMENTS AND ENSURE LEGISLATION IS WELL CRAFTED B4 IT PRECEEDS TO FURTHER STAGES OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
WHAT IS A BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE?
HOC COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED IN 2010 WITH PRIMARY FUNCTION OF GIVING BACKBENCH MPS MORE CONTROL OVER PARLIAMENT AGENDA BY ALLOWING THEM TO CHOOSE TOPICS FOR DEBATE ON CERTAIN DAYS
WHAT DO BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEES DO?
BACKBENCH MPS APPLY TO THE COMMITTEE TO REQUEST DEBATE ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE AND THE COMMITTEE ASSESS REQUESTS BASED ON FACTORS E.G URGENCY.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THE BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE?
ENHANCE PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY BY EMPOWERING MPS OUTSIDE OF THE GOVT TO SHAPE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA. PROVIDES SPACE FOR BROADER DEBATE BEYOND GOVT DOMINATED AGENDA.
WHAT IS THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?
HOC COMMITTEE MADE UP OF CHAIRS OF ALL THE OTHER SELECT COMMITTEES.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?
OVERSEE WORK OF SELECT COMMITTEES AND ENSURE THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN SCRUTINISING THE GOVT. ENSURE EFFECTIVE PARLIAMENT OVERSIGHT BY COORDINATING THE WORK OF SELECT COMMITTEES AND HOLDINT PM TO ACCOUNT. QUESTION PM AROUND 3 TIMES A YR.
WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?
POWER IS LARGLY ADVISORY RATHER THAN COERCIVE
WHAT IS ADVISORY POWER?
POWER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARLIAMENT
WHAT IS COERCIVE POWER?
ABILITY TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY OR PUNISH SOMEONE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
WHAT DETERMINES MAKEUP OF DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES?
- CONSIST OF AROUND 11-14 MEMBERS : SMALL SIZE TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE DISCUSSION WHILST ALSO ALLOWING FOR A RANGE OF VIEWS.
- NUMBER OF SEATS EACH PARTY HAS IS ROUGHLY PROPORTIONAL TO THEIR REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A DSC THAT HAS INFLUENCED THE GOVT?
HOME AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE WHICH UNCOVERED THE WINDRUSH SCANDAL WHERE UK RESIDENTS WERE WRONGLY DETAINED, DENIED LEGAL RIGHTS OR DEPORTRD DUE TO IMMIGRATION POLICY. HOME SECRETARY AMBER RUDD RESIGNED IN 2018 AS A RESULT. COMMITTEES WORKED PUSHED GOVT TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS AND LEAD TO BROADER DISCUSSION ON IMMIGRATION POLICIES.
FOR HOW MANY DAYS TO THE BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE CONTROL PARLIAMENTARY TIME?
35 DAYS OF TIME EACH SESSION
WHAT DO DEPARMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES DO?
SCRUTINISE WORK OF INDIVIDUAL GOVT DEPARTMENTS. EACH COMMITTEE IS TASKED WITH EXAMINING POLICIES, ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENDITURE.
WHY ARE DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES USED?
ESSENTIAL MECHANISM FOR ENSURING GOVT ACCOUNTABILITY, PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVING POLICY.
WHY ARE DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTES SEEN AS EFFECTIVE?
MADE FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES ENSURING SCRUTINY ISN’T JUST DRIVEN BY THE OPPOSITION. PROMOTES A MORE BALANCED AND LESS PARTISAN EXAMINATION OF GOVT WORK.
WHAT CAN THE EXECUTIVE DO TO LIMIT DSC POWER?
- CAN REFUSE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY OFFERING REASONS E.G NATIONAL SECURITY OR CONFIDENTIALITY.
- CAN INFLUENCE APPOINTMENT OF MPS WHO ARE MORE LOYAL TO THE GOVT
- REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO DSC REPORTS BUT ARE NOT OBLIGED TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.
HOW ARE CHAIRS OF DSCS NOW CHOSEN?
SECRET BALLOT
HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT LAWS ARE LEGITIMATE WITHOUT CONTINED REFERENDA?
- REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY THROUGH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WHO MAKE AMEND AND REPEAL LAWS ON BEHALF OF CITIZENS WHO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AT ELECTIONS.
- SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES ENSURE FOR SEPARATION OF POWERS.
WHY CAN ONLY THE HOC RAISE TAXES AND SPEND GOVT FUNDS?
ELECTED REPRESENTATICES CONTROL FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT AFFECT CITIZENS DUE TO FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY. PROTECTS CITIZENS FROM BEING TAXED WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
HOW DOES THE GOVT SECURE THE BACKING OF PARLIAMENT?
PARTY LOYALTY
WHIPS
PAYROLL VOTE
ASYMETRIC RESOURCES
1911 AND 1949 PARLIAMENT ACTS
SALISBURY CONVENTION
WHAT ARE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY AGREEEMENTS?
ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN PARTIES THAT ALLOW A MINORITY GOVT TO REMAIN IN POWER BY SECURING THE VOTE OF OTHER PARTIES ON CRITICAL VOTES - PROVIDES STABILITY
WHAT ARE VOTES OF CONFIDENCE?
REFER TO VOTES ON MATTERS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVT.
WHAT ARE SUPPLY VOTES?
RELATE TO VOTES ON GOVT BUDGET AND FINANCE.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENTS BEING PUT IN PLACE?
HUNG PARLIAMENTS WHICH IS WHERE NO PARTY HAS A MAJORITY. EXAMPLE= UK IN 017-019 WHERE TORIES LED BY THERESA MAY ENTERED AN AGREEMENT WITH DUP.
WHAT IS PARTY LOYALTY?
REFERS TO ALLEGIANCE AND COMMITTMENT THAT A MEMBER SHOWS THEIR PARTY. ESSENTIAL FOR MAINTAINING PARTY UNITY AND DISCIPLINE.
INVOLVES FOLLOWING PARTY LEADERSHIP AND VOTING IN LINE WITH DIRECTIVES.
WHAT DO WHIPS DO?
- ENSURE PARTY DISCIPLINE AND MAINTAIN ORDER. 2.MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LEADERS AND MEMBERS.
- PERSUADE MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR PARTY POSITION - ENFORCERS
WHY DO MPS FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF THE WHIPS?
WHAT HAPPENS IF AN MP REPEATEDLY DISOBEYS THE WHIP?
WHAT IS THE PAYROLL VOTE?
REFERS TO IDEA THAT MPS WHO HOLD POSITIONS IN GOVT ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE IN FAVOUR OF GOVT E.G MINISTERS AND PPSs. ( PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARIES)
WHAT IS PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE?
REFERS TO SPECIAL RIGHTS AND IMMUNITIES THAT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAVE ALLOWING THEM TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OR FEAR OF LEGAL CONSEQUENCES.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVLEGE?
- FREEDOM OF SPEECH
- RIGHT FOR BOTH HOUSES TO REGULATE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE?
FUNDAMENTAL TO INDEPENDENCE AND EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF PARLIAMENT ENSURING THAT LAWMAKERS CAN DEBATE, DELIBERATE AND SCRUTINISE GOVT ACTIONS FREELY AND WITHOUT UNDUE PRESSURE.
WHAT IS THE 10 MINUTE RULE?
RULE ALLOWS A BACKBENCH MP TO MAKE THEIR CASE FOR A NEW BILL IN A SPEECH THAT LASTS UP TO 10 MINS. USUALLY ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAYS AFTER Q TIME.
WHAT OCCURS DURING THE 10 MINUTE RULE?
- SPEECH BY BACKBENCH MP ON NEW BILL PROPOSAL
- OPPOSING MP MAY ALSO SPEAK FOR UP TO 10 MINS AGAINST BILL
- AFTER BOTH SPEECHES, HOC DECIDES AS TO WHETHER BILL SHOULD PROCEED VIA A VOICENOTE VOTE.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF BILLS IMPLEMENTED VIA THE 10 MINUTE RULE?
SEATBELT LEGISLATION
HOMELESSNESS PROTECTIONS
