FUNCTIONS OF PARLIAMENT - TOPIC 3

Question 1

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

HOW DOES THE OPPOSITION PERFORM THEIR ROLE?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

WHAT POWERS DO THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION HAVE?

Answer 3

1. SCRUTINY OF GOVT THROUGH QUESTION TIME OR THROUGH FORMAL DEBATES WHICH FORCE GOVT TO JUSTIFY ACTS QUICKLY.
2. ABILITY TO CALL A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE WHICH IF PASSED CAN FORCE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVT AND TRIGGER NEW ELECTIONS.
3. MAY COLLAB WITH OTHER SMALLER PARTIES TO FORM A UNIFIED FRONT AND MAXIMISE POWER TO CHALLENGE GOVT AGENDA.

Question 4

WHAT ARE SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS?

Answer 4

MADE UP OF OFFICIAL OPPOSITION MEMBERS WHO SHADOW MINISTERS IN THE RULING GOVT.

Question 5

WHAT DO SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS DO?

Answer 5

RESPONSIBLE FOR SCRUTINISING THE WORK OF THEIR CORRESPONDING GOVT MINISTER ENSURING THAT THEY ARE HELD ACCOUTABLE.

Question 6

WHAT LIMITS ABILITY OF OPPOSITION TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

WHAT LIMITS POWER OF OPPOSITION TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE? (2)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

HOW ARE PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES OF OPPOSITION PARTIES FUNDED?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

WHAT IS SHORT MONEY?

Answer 9

INTRODUCED BY LABOUR (HAROLD WILSON) IN 1975 WITH GOAL OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OPPOSITION TO ENABLE THEM TO SCRUTINISE GOVT EFFECTIVELY.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF QS TO MINISTERS AND PMQS?

Answer 10

OPPORTUNITY FOR SCRUTINY, ACCOUNTABILITY, POLICY CLARIFICATION AND DEBATE - SERVE TO HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE AND ENHANCE PUBLIC TRUST. ESSENTIAL FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.

Question 11

WHAT ARE URGENT QUESTIONS?

Answer 11

QS THAT REQUIRE A GOVT MINISTER TO COME TO THE HOC CHAMBER AND GIVE AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Question 12

HOW IS AN URGENT QUESTION PROPOSED?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

WHY ARE QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS REAGRDED AS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PMQS?

Answer 13

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS OFFER MORE DETIALED AND SUBSTANSIVE EXAMINATION OF GOVT POLICIES WHOLS PMQS ARE MORE FOR PUBLIC ATTENTION.

Question 14

WHAT DO SUPPORFERS OF PMQS ARGUE?

Answer 14

1. VITAL AS THEY HOLD GOVT ACCOUNTABLE, FOSTER POLITICAL DEBATE AND ENGAGE PUBLIC. 2. OPPORTUNITY FOR PM TO BE DIRECTLY QUESTIONED.
2. PROMOTE HEALTHY DEMOCRATIC COMPETITON.
   4.COVERED IN MEDIA SO MAKE POLITICS ACCESSIBLE FOR PUBLIC

Question 15

WHY IS PMQS REGARDED AS THEATRE RATHER THAN TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

WHAT IS A PUBLIC BILL COMMITTEE?

Answer 16

COMMITTEE SET UP BY HOC TO EXAMINE DETAILS OF A PARTICULAR BILL.

Question 17

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF PUBLIC BILL COMMITTEES?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

WHAT IS A BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

WHAT DO BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEES DO?

Answer 19

BACKBENCH MPS APPLY TO THE COMMITTEE TO REQUEST DEBATE ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE AND THE COMMITTEE ASSESS REQUESTS BASED ON FACTORS E.G URGENCY.

Question 20

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THE BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE?

Answer 20

ENHANCE PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY BY EMPOWERING MPS OUTSIDE OF THE GOVT TO SHAPE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA. PROVIDES SPACE FOR BROADER DEBATE BEYOND GOVT DOMINATED AGENDA.

Question 21

WHAT IS THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?

Answer 21

HOC COMMITTEE MADE UP OF CHAIRS OF ALL THE OTHER SELECT COMMITTEES.

Question 22

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF THE LIAISON COMMITTEE?

Answer 23

POWER IS LARGLY ADVISORY RATHER THAN COERCIVE

Question 24

WHAT IS ADVISORY POWER?

Answer 24

POWER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARLIAMENT

Question 25

WHAT IS COERCIVE POWER?

Answer 25

ABILITY TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY OR PUNISH SOMEONE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

Question 26

WHAT DETERMINES MAKEUP OF DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES?

Answer 26

1. CONSIST OF AROUND 11-14 MEMBERS : SMALL SIZE TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE DISCUSSION WHILST ALSO ALLOWING FOR A RANGE OF VIEWS. 2. NUMBER OF SEATS EACH PARTY HAS IS ROUGHLY PROPORTIONAL TO THEIR REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT

Question 27

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A DSC THAT HAS INFLUENCED THE GOVT?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

FOR HOW MANY DAYS TO THE BACKBENCH BUSINESS COMMITTEE CONTROL PARLIAMENTARY TIME?

Answer 28

35 DAYS OF TIME EACH SESSION

Question 29

WHAT DO DEPARMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES DO?

Answer 29

SCRUTINISE WORK OF INDIVIDUAL GOVT DEPARTMENTS. EACH COMMITTEE IS TASKED WITH EXAMINING POLICIES, ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENDITURE.

Question 30

WHY ARE DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTEES USED?

Answer 30

ESSENTIAL MECHANISM FOR ENSURING GOVT ACCOUNTABILITY, PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVING POLICY.

Question 31

WHY ARE DEPARTMENTAL SELECT COMMITTES SEEN AS EFFECTIVE?

Answer 31

MADE FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES ENSURING SCRUTINY ISN'T JUST DRIVEN BY THE OPPOSITION. PROMOTES A MORE BALANCED AND LESS PARTISAN EXAMINATION OF GOVT WORK.

Question 32

WHAT CAN THE EXECUTIVE DO TO LIMIT DSC POWER?

Answer 32

1. CAN REFUSE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY OFFERING REASONS E.G NATIONAL SECURITY OR CONFIDENTIALITY. 2. CAN INFLUENCE APPOINTMENT OF MPS WHO ARE MORE LOYAL TO THE GOVT 3. REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO DSC REPORTS BUT ARE NOT OBLIGED TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

Question 33

HOW ARE CHAIRS OF DSCS NOW CHOSEN?

Answer 33

SECRET BALLOT

Question 34

HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT LAWS ARE LEGITIMATE WITHOUT CONTINED REFERENDA?

Answer 34

1. REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY THROUGH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WHO MAKE AMEND AND REPEAL LAWS ON BEHALF OF CITIZENS WHO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AT ELECTIONS. 2. SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES ENSURE FOR SEPARATION OF POWERS.

Question 35

WHY CAN ONLY THE HOC RAISE TAXES AND SPEND GOVT FUNDS?

Answer 35

ELECTED REPRESENTATICES CONTROL FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT AFFECT CITIZENS DUE TO FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY. PROTECTS CITIZENS FROM BEING TAXED WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

Question 36

HOW DOES THE GOVT SECURE THE BACKING OF PARLIAMENT?

Answer 36

PARTY LOYALTY WHIPS PAYROLL VOTE ASYMETRIC RESOURCES 1911 AND 1949 PARLIAMENT ACTS SALISBURY CONVENTION

Question 37

WHAT ARE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY AGREEEMENTS?

Answer 37

ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN PARTIES THAT ALLOW A MINORITY GOVT TO REMAIN IN POWER BY SECURING THE VOTE OF OTHER PARTIES ON CRITICAL VOTES - PROVIDES STABILITY

Question 38

WHAT ARE VOTES OF CONFIDENCE?

Answer 38

REFER TO VOTES ON MATTERS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVT.

Question 39

WHAT ARE SUPPLY VOTES?

Answer 39

RELATE TO VOTES ON GOVT BUDGET AND FINANCE.

Question 40

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENTS BEING PUT IN PLACE?

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

WHAT IS PARTY LOYALTY?

Answer 41

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.

Question 42

WHAT DO WHIPS DO?

Answer 42

1. ENSURE PARTY DISCIPLINE AND MAINTAIN ORDER. 2.MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LEADERS AND MEMBERS. 3. PERSUADE MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR PARTY POSITION - ENFORCERS

Question 43

WHY DO MPS FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF THE WHIPS?

Question 44

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN MP REPEATEDLY DISOBEYS THE WHIP?

Question 45

WHAT IS THE PAYROLL VOTE?

Answer 45

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)

Question 46

WHAT IS PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE?

Answer 46

REFERS TO SPECIAL RIGHTS AND IMMUNITIES THAT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAVE ALLOWING THEM TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OR FEAR OF LEGAL CONSEQUENCES.

Question 47

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVLEGE?

Answer 47

1. FREEDOM OF SPEECH 2. RIGHT FOR BOTH HOUSES TO REGULATE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS

Question 48

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE?

Answer 48

FUNDAMENTAL TO INDEPENDENCE AND EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF PARLIAMENT ENSURING THAT LAWMAKERS CAN DEBATE, DELIBERATE AND SCRUTINISE GOVT ACTIONS FREELY AND WITHOUT UNDUE PRESSURE.

Question 49

WHAT IS THE 10 MINUTE RULE?

Answer 49

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.

Question 50

WHAT OCCURS DURING THE 10 MINUTE RULE?

Answer 50

1. SPEECH BY BACKBENCH MP ON NEW BILL PROPOSAL 2. OPPOSING MP MAY ALSO SPEAK FOR UP TO 10 MINS AGAINST BILL 3. AFTER BOTH SPEECHES, HOC DECIDES AS TO WHETHER BILL SHOULD PROCEED VIA A VOICENOTE VOTE.

Question 51

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF BILLS IMPLEMENTED VIA THE 10 MINUTE RULE?

Answer 51

SEATBELT LEGISLATION HOMELESSNESS PROTECTIONS