House Of Commons Flashcards
What are the four key functions of the House of Commons
1) prime political forum - method of political debate
2) legislation- ensures executive accounts to parliament and gives parliament some leverage over government
3) scrutiny of polices and administration- expected to sustain, scrutinise and influence rather than block government
4) specific redress- specific issues are addressed here, either that were raised by constituents or through petitions
What is parliamentary sovereignty
Parliament has ultimate law making authority over all bodies in the UK
It can pass, amend or repeal any law without challenge from any other UK institution
What are some of the constraints on parliamentary sovereignty
- has been limited by the European Union whose laws have formal sovereignty over its members
- Human rights act 2000 means that all information which passes through government must comply with this act
Give an example where the UK has had to comply with EU laws
Imposition of fishing quotas and worldwide ban of sale of UK beef during the mad cow crisis
Proportionally what percentage of UK legislation comes from the EU
50%
What is the ‘decline of legislature’
Parliament has lost its supremacy, the exec has taken over
What are the two theories about parliaments role
1) parliament should be a vigilant watch dog that effectively holds the government to account
2) seen as a debating chamber, a forum where grievances can be aired
What are the reasons for growing demand for reform
- rise of presidentialism
- decline in public confidence, apathy
- growth in direct democracy
- greater desire for speed and efficiency
How long does it take to averagely put a bill through parliament
9 months
Name and explain the scandal that hit parliament in 2009
The expenses scandal
This was where MPS spending got leaked to some tabloid newspapers, they were exposed to their ridiculous purchases which they put on expenses, most notably Douglas Hogg who had put £2000 on expenses to have his moat cleaned
What was the effect of the expenses scandal 2009
Upset the public and reinforced this idea that MPs were untrustworthy thus damaging democracy as well as their reputation
What changes did labour make to the House of Commons after 1997
- modified the timetable - family friendly hours
- PMQs taken to a single half hour slot
- elected chairman of select committees- allows for experts to be chosen reducing the power of whips rewarding loyalty
What was one of the most important reforms made by the coalition government
The fixed term parliament act 2011- removed power from PM who previously could call a general election whenever. Must now be every 5 years
What other reforms have been made to the House of Commons
- increasing MPS wage to £74,000 to stop them fiddling with expenses
- more free votes
- less MPs 650->600
- full time MPs
What factor is mostly to blame for the dominance of the executive over parliament
Party discipline, the whip system makes the exec very powerful as if they have both a majority and a strong whip they can pass almost any law
What controls how long each bill can be debated
The government
The parliament has no control over timetabling
How many days per year is the official opposition given to debate
3 days
Briefly evaluate:
“ is the House of Commons effective at holding the government to account “
✅select committees
✅PMQs
❌public bill committee
❌highly effective whip system
How do select committees hold the government to account
Set there own agendas and act free of party control and so produce unanimous cross party reports
They can compel ministers for questioning
How do PMQs hold the government to account
Weekly and very public
Pm is questioned about there decisions
A very public test of confidence and back bench support of both the PM and leader of the opposition
The PM is able to see lists of questions put forward however supplementary questions often catch them unaware
What are some of the problems of the public Bill committee
What does this limit
There is a lack of subject specific scrutiny and a lack of expertise
Can damage the quality of legislation
Can damage how effective hoC holds govt to account
What are some of the issues of the whip system
What does this limit
The highly effective whip system in parliament forces MPs to “toe the line” and support the government
There are often career damaging consequences of defying whiten
Questions how effective govt can be held to account
What would a shadow cabinet ever consulted on
Bipartisan matters
How many days are set aside in the commons timetable for debate and criticism of the govt
20
What is the job of the opposition
Oppose
Scrutinise
Criticise
How often do ministers answer questions in the commons
Once a month on a rota system
What is an issue with ministers questions
Whips plant sycophantic questions which are asked by docile backbencher to make the job easier for ministers
What does ministers questions demonstrate
Ministerial accountability
Where are the questions and answers published from ministers questions
in the Hansard the same day they are released
How many written questions are answered every year
35,000
What is the job of the backbench business committee
Scrutiny and control of government spending
Name the committee that monitors government spending
The commons public accounts committee and the national audit office
What are three of the advantages of select committees
- can have major impact of government policy (eg report on gulf war syndrome)
- provides detailed information to the government and general public as there findings are published online
- seen as more important than standing committees (which only debate one issue) and so are well attended)
What are some of the disadvantages of select committees
- lack time,resources, staff, expertise and power to be more than an irritant to govt
- govt has to respond to criticisms but can simply ignore criticisms and recommendations
- backbencher May be too afraid of being too critical of there own party in case it harms there promotion hopes
Name two of the reforms made to select committees by the wright reforms 2010
Committee chairs and members are voted by backbencher without a whip
Have to have a staff of approx 7 to help it carry out its function
What are the key functions of select committees
Hold inquiries and write reports which are published and given to the house
Can receive written and oral evidence and request certain evidence from people (can compel witnesses)
Government is required to reply to the report and address any recommendations within 2 months
Give an example of where a minister has been compelled to give evidence at a select committee
Amber Rudd Home Secretary - 2018
Called to give evidence to house affairs select committee about the windrush scandal
Told the ctte there was no target for removing illegal immigrants where in actual fact she has written a letter requesting a 10% increase on removals
Led to accusations she had misled the committee
Are MPs socially representative- analyse
NO-
Privately educated
Professional background
Lack of diverse background
YES-
Number of female MPs is on the rise
What % of MPs are privately educated
35%
Far higher than national average of 7%
What % of MPs are non white
4.1%
What’s the phrase used to describe MPs
‘Male pale and stale’
From 2017 parliament what percentage of MPs are women
32%
What % of MPs are ex oxbridge students
23%
National average is <1%
What are the three theories of representation
- mandate model - abides by the party
- delegate model- instructed by voters
- trustee model- MPs do what they think is best
ciriticse mandate model
- could be significant disagreement in party policy and what is best for constituency
- MPs elected through FPTP often have no majority, if were to only vote with party would be representing a minority of views in constituency
Criticise delegate model
- voters have no expertise
- voters struggle to always feedback opinions on each legislation
- difficult to come to a majority opinion
Criticise trustee model
Takes away voters voice and defies representation and undermines democracy
MPs willing to completely deny voters wishes coz they reckon its for the best
How many hours do MPs work a week
71 hours
What is wage of an MP
£79,000
What did Edmund Burke liken the whip system to be
“Whipping the hounds”
Explain the different types of whip
They indicate how important each item is by:
Underlining it once- attendance optional
Underlining it twice- more important and attendance is required unless a “pair” has been arranged
Underlining it three times- important, pairs not allowed, defying this can result in consequences
What is a free vote
Matters of the conscience, people can make up there own minds without consequences or a whip
What is the role of the MP
- be loyal to the party and toe the line, attend conferences and promote party policy
- serve the constituency, regular surgeries and attend political meetings and social functions
- serve the nation- attend hoC , take part in debates and serve on committees
- advance personal causes- private members bills act as a spokesperson for particular interests or areas of expertise
Describe the passage of a bill
First reading Second reading Committtee stage Report stage Third reading House of Lords Royal assent Review
Name an example of a private members bill
David steels abortion act 1967
What is a public bill
Concern the general public interest
