Holding the government to account

Question 1

Holding govt to account essay structure

Answer 1

1) select committees
2)debates/voting
3)prime ministers questions

Question 2

Select committee description

Answer 2

Each select committee is made up of at least 11 cross-party back bench MP’s, members will become very knowledgeable about the their committees topic in order to scrutinise government performance

Question 3

Example of select committee

Answer 3

For example, the defence committee focus on a wide range of defence related topics such as space defence and army recruitment

Question 4

What is the makeup of committees

Answer 4

The makeup of a committee broadly reflects the size of the parties in government. For example, in the current defence committee, 5 out of 11 members are conservative

Question 5

Example of minister being called for an inquiry

Answer 5

Health minister Matt Hancock was called before the Health committee for four hours to answer questions on his handling of the Covid crisis

Question 6

Example of ministers not being obliged to attend hearings

Answer 6

For example, prime minister at the time boris Johnson declined attending a hearing of the liaison select committee three times

Question 7

Example of government not listening to committees

Answer 7

For example, the government was said to have ignored most of the recommendations made by the transport select committee regarding building a third runway at Heathrow

Question 8

What is an outcome of a debate and then vote in parliament

Answer 8

When David Cameron was prime minister MP’s voted against military action in Syria. David Cameron had to accept the decision of parliament

Question 9

When is PMQ

Answer 9

Wednesday from 12:00 to 12:30

Question 10

Example of questioning

Answer 10

For example in December 2021, it was found out that Boris had been pictured having cheese and wine with his wife and around 17 others in Downing Street gardens during the lockdown. This also allegedly happened two other times. He was then questioned by opposition leader Keir Starmer. Starmer stated that it was offensive to the British public and called for Johnson to resign

Question 11

Example of PMQ getting out of hand

Answer 11

Ian Blackford the SNP leader, criticised the PM for misleading parliament and called for him to resign, was removed from the house by the speaker for using the word misleading instead of the PM answering the question.