Fusion in the UK

Question 1

Fusion of the LEGISLATURE and the EXECUTIVE (6 Points)

Answer 1

• by convention, members of the executive must be members of either house of parliament
• the prime minister is head of the executive but is also an mp, so sits in the legislature. The pm is not elected separately
• the effects of the UK electoral system (fptp), combined with the Party system (party with the most mps forms the governemnt)means the executive is capable of dominating the legislature
• the executive also has the authority to perform a legislative role through the use of delegated legislation
• delegated(or subordinate or subsidiary)legislationrefers to those laws made by persons or bodies to whom parliament hasdelegated law-making authority
• ministers also have prerogative powers with use of the royal prerogative

Question 2

Advantages of Fusion (2 Points)

Answer 2

• Advantage = easier for the government to take action if necessary
• Advantage = there is no risk of deadlock on passing of laws as can sometimes occur where the legislature and executive are separated

Question 3

Disadvantages of Fusion (3 Points)

Answer 3

• Disadvantage = it is a paradox because with fusion the executive can dominate and push through legislation with little obstruction
• Disadvantage = potential for abuse of power
• Disadvantage = in 1976 lord hailsham called the british system of government an ‘elective dictatorship’, i.e. the government once elected can play as dictator owing to the weakness of Parliament