Gov Held to Account Essay

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Many ways the government is held to account

Argued scrutiny in Commons chamber in form of PM’s Questions not fully effective

Scrutiny by committees most effective form of scrutiny & scrutiny by House of Lords effective to a certain extent

Question 2

PM’s Questions - Point

Answer 2

One of the effective ways Parliamentary Representatives can hold gov to account is through actions in the debating chamber

Question 3

PM’s Questions - Explain

Answer 3

In the chamber MPs can do a number of things to scrutinise the work of the government by participating in debates, voting & taking part in ministerial QT

MPs can submit questions to ministers as part of a debate or in a scheduled QT putting them under pressure to defend themselves & look competent

Question 4

PMs Questions - Example

Answer 4

In 2021 Boris Johnson was forced to defend his actions in the “Cash for Curtains Scandal”

Question 5

PMs Questions - Analysis

Answer 5

Effective as it gains media attention & puts pressure on government, fairly successful in government scrutiny

Question 6

PMs Questions - Rebuttal Point

Answer 6

PMs QT only partially effective

Question 7

PMs Questions - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 7

Many MPs belong to same political party as government so aren’t likely to ask difficult questions

Furthermore, not enough time for all MPs to ask questions

Question 8

PMs Questions - Rebuttal Example

Answer 8

In 2021 while Boris Johnson was under pressure from opposition like Labour & SNP leaders, Cons asked Boris to thank vaccine volunteers despite electoral commission announcing its plan to investigate MP

Question 9

PMs Questions - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 9

Not effective time wasted by same party MPs asking simple questions

Question 10

PMs Questions - Conclusion

Answer 10

Clear due to government having large number of supporters in parliament, QT not successful as supporters will try defend government

Question 11

Committees - Point

Answer 11

Arguably committees are the most effective way of parliamentary scrutiny

Question 12

Committees - Explain

Answer 12

MPs are able to work in small groups to discuss how well government is doing

These are public meaning minsters are under pressure not to make a mistake

Question 13

Committees - Example

Answer 13

Yvette Cooper of Home Affairs committee exposed UK gov for not knowing how many people were entering UK with Covid-19

Question 14

Committees - Rebuttal Point

Answer 14

Not effective as government can ignore work

Question 15

Committees - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 15

Governments are able to control their work & ignore the advice of committees

Can delay reports until better suited

Question 16

Committees - Rebuttal Example

Answer 16

UK gov avoided publishing report into R meddling in EU referendum until after 2019 election as it may’ve made them look bad

Question 17

Committees -Conclusion

Answer 17

Can be effective as they are a longer period of time than QT but less effective as government can control when information is released

Question 18

House of Lords - Point

Answer 18

House of Lords effective as they are independent

Question 19

House of Lords - Explain

Answer 19

As they are a separate chamber, they are less likely to do will of government

More likely to be critical of government due to unelected, life-long position

Question 20

House of Lords - Example

Answer 20

In first 12 months of 2019 parliament, government faced over 100 defeats in Lords meaning they had to change deals with countries committing genocide

Question 21

House of Lords - Rebuttal Point

Answer 21

Less effective than could be

Question 22

House of Lords - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 22

Many Lords elected by PM due to loyalty rather than expertise

Will also eventually leave & do will of government due to control of democratically elected House of Commons

Question 23

House of Lords - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 23

In 2020, Boris Johnson appointed own brother to join 800 other members in House of Lords

Question 24

House of Lords - Conclusion

Answer 24

Effective to a certain extent, due to bias less effective as less criticism given from those close to PM

Question 25

Overall Conclusion

Answer 25

QT & HOL both effective in scrutinising gov as they are forced to answer questions & change plans however, role of committees more effective as they’re able to examine gov closely & put a high amount of pressure on gov due to large scale media attention