House of Commons Flashcards
Main Functions
legislative
providing ministers
scrutiny
representation
legitimation
debate
Frontbenchers
a member of the cabinet or the shadow cabinet
Backbencher
not a member of the cabinet or the shadow cabinet
can scrutinise freely
Whips
make sure backbench MPs vote with their party
used to have a blackmail book
Speaker
keep order in the parliament
Lindsay Hoyle was elected by the MPs
Legislation
HC agree to enact a bill to become a law
Public Bill Committee
after first and second reading its scrutinised in detail
Advantages of Legislation
Secondary/Delegated Legislation rarely used
HC has lots of power
- but it must agree is the bill it to become law
Detailed process
Disadvantages of Legislation
the committe votes on party lines and have gov majority
- impacts objectivity on amendments
MPs vote with party cause of whips
- undermines scrutiny
- less independence
Providing Ministers
loyal for promotion
- wont go VS party for their constituency
convention that major office holders are in the HC chamber possess legitimacy
Scrutiny & Debate
MPs raise concerns
Backbench Business Committe 2010
Petitions Committee 2015
Backbench Business Committe 2010
35 days in a year for backbenchers to debate
Petitions Committee 2015
created to debate on topic from petitions that have 10,000 signs
2022 - debate on waving VISA requirments for Ukrainian refugees
Disadvantages for Backbench Debates
too early and late
low attendance
Adjournment Debates
end of July
MP can ask ministers a question
raise issues
- limited to 30 mins
- low attendance
