Holding the government to account (20)

Question 1

PMQs- explain

Answer 1

PMQ’s take place every Wednesday from 12 pm until 12:30 pm during this time the PM will answer questions from MP’s in the commons. The leader of the opposition is permitted to ask a total of 6 questions, they are also the only MP who is allowed to ask further questions.

Question 2

PMQs- example

Answer 2

For example, in December 2021, it was found that Boris had been pictured having cheese and win with his wife and 17 others in downing street gardens during May 2020 in lock-down, there is also 2 other alleged parties where he broke his own rules. He was questioned by Keir Starmer “his defence that he didn’t realise it was a party is so ridiculous that it’s offensive to the British public” Starmer told commons “is he going to do the decent thing and resign”.

Question 3

PMQ’s- Analysis

Answer 3

This shows that PM questions can be effective as MP’s are able to question the PM on recent issues and accusations on the PM that he is obliged to answer. However many argue that the PM questions are effective as there is only a small period of time to hold the PM to account. The former PM has been seen to try and avoid questions and is seen as more of a performance.

Question 4

PMQ’s- Analysis example

Answer 4

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

Question 5

PMQ’s- conclusion

Answer 5

Overall this shows that PM questions are a useful way of holding the government to account as the PM is obliged to answer all the questions, however it is not effective as the PM already knows the questions he is going to be asked so he has a chance to be prepared. It is also over a short period of time so little success.

Question 6

Rebellion of the backbenchers- explain

Answer 6

This is when the party who is in government has its own party members voting against their bill preventing it from becoming law or voting against an action. When this happens it can cause a huge embarrassment to the party leader and makes the government look weak. It can also lead to a vote of no confidence which is what happened to the former PM Theresa May after the Brexit deal fell through

Question 7

Rebellion of the backbenchers- example

Answer 7

For example Boris Johnston was facing backlash from his former MPs after the party gate as he lost the support of prominent backbench MPs Theresa May and David Cameron

Question 8

Rebellion of the backbenchers- analysis

Answer 8

This shows backbench rebellion can’t be effective as the PMs own MPs rebelling against them is promoting their own party as they don’t believe in the parties opinion which shows they don’t always agree with the government. However many people believe that backbench rebellion is effective as the PM can impose a three-line whip which is when party members are either told in a meeting or through email to vote a certain way by the chief whip. The chief who is in place to keep backbenchers in order, this usually works. Backbench MP usually vote the way their party wants, to be promoted in future.

Question 9

Rebellion of the backbenchers- analysis example

Answer 9

For example this sometimes isn’t effective as in January 2022 dozens of Tory MP’s alleged that the former chef whip, Mark Spencer had engaged in blackmail. Standards committee chair says claims include having money pulled from the constituencies

Question 10

Rebellion of the backbenchers- conclusions

Answer 10

Overall, this shows that the whip system is not effective as MPs are being threatened if they do not follow the parties ways, which isn’t giving the individuals freedom to their own opinion.

Question 11

House of Lords- explain

Answer 11

Their main function is to scrutinise bills before they become law, they are able to delay the legislative process and force the government and the house of commons to remit a bill and come up with amendments. The HOL have the opportunity to debate issues in a less politically biassed way the more confrontational HOC, no party has a majority in the HOL and such as government must win cross party support for their legislation.

Question 12

House of lords- example

Answer 12

For example, in January 2022, the government suffered a series of defeats in the HOL over its plan to clamp down on disruptive and noisy protesters under the crime and justice bill.

Question 13

House of lords- analysis

Answer 13

This shows that the HOL is effective at holding the government to account as they are able to delay laws they don’t fully agree with making the government rethink and debate on their opinions, they also have the power to amend or reject law. However, the PM has the power to appoint members to th house of lords, and usually appoints members with the same beliefs/values as their party. The former prime minister has been criticised for ‘cronyism’ and abandoning a long standing conservative policy to reduce the size of the house, which will now have more than 800 members.

Question 14

House of lords- analysis example

Answer 14

For example, the SNP MP Pete Wishart said Mr Johnston was giving jobs for life to ‘friends and whose who have done him favours’. The former PM also appointed his brother Jo Johnson into the HOL and he has also appointed 83 members with 42 being conservatives members.

Question 15

House of lords- conclusion

Answer 15

Overall the HOL is not effective as majority of members were appoint by the former PM Boris, usually they will have the same beliefs as him so usually they will agree with his bills, however they so still ability to reject the bill or law.

Question 16

Commiittees- explain

Answer 16

Committees are lead by a chair and contains 11 MPs from all parties. Committees can call up anyone to question and their voting are televised.

Question 17

Commiittees- example

Answer 17

An example of this is when Yuette Cooper; MP for labour in the home affairs committee embarrassed Boris Johnston in 2021 when he couldn’t answer the question of how many people with covid-19 were entering Britain.

Question 18

Commiittees- analysis

Answer 18

This can be seen as successful as it can expose the government or not knowing key details on current issues. Although committees can effectively question the government, the committees can hold a bias with the government. When the ruling party gains a majority in a general election they also gain a majority of members of committees. This includes the chair of committees which coordinate the views of the committee and write the final report. An example of this is when in the 2019 general election the Conservatives gained a majority in parliament therefore giving them a majority in committees as well.

Question 19

Commiittees- conclusions

Answer 19

This can be seen as unsuccessful way of holding the government to account as the committees can ask questions to the government look good or write a generous final report.

Question 20

Conclusion

Answer 20

In conclusion, there are may ways of holding the government and PM to account, some being more effective than others. The most effective being the house of lords as they are able reject a bill or law they don’t believe is suitable, causing the government to reconsider many decisions. The least effective method being the select committees as although they can expose the government and include the government, they are mostly made up from MPs from the ruling party therefore can be biassed.

Question 21

Introduction

Answer 21

The UK parliament has many ways of holding the government to account, such as Prime Minister Questions, Rebellion of backbenchers, House of Lords and select committees. In this essay, i will look at the advantages and disadvantages each of these methods before coming to the conclusion that i agree that parliament has had little succuss in holding the government to account.