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A Level Politics UK and Ideologies > House Of Commons > Flashcards

House Of Commons Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four key functions of the House of Commons

A

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

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2
Q

What is parliamentary sovereignty

A

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

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3
Q

What are some of the constraints on parliamentary sovereignty

A
  • 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
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4
Q

Give an example where the UK has had to comply with EU laws

A

Imposition of fishing quotas and worldwide ban of sale of UK beef during the mad cow crisis

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5
Q

Proportionally what percentage of UK legislation comes from the EU

A

50%

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6
Q

What is the ‘decline of legislature’

A

Parliament has lost its supremacy, the exec has taken over

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7
Q

What are the two theories about parliaments role

A

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

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8
Q

What are the reasons for growing demand for reform

A
  • rise of presidentialism
  • decline in public confidence, apathy
  • growth in direct democracy
  • greater desire for speed and efficiency
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9
Q

How long does it take to averagely put a bill through parliament

A

9 months

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10
Q

Name and explain the scandal that hit parliament in 2009

A

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

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11
Q

What was the effect of the expenses scandal 2009

A

Upset the public and reinforced this idea that MPs were untrustworthy thus damaging democracy as well as their reputation

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12
Q

What changes did labour make to the House of Commons after 1997

A
  • 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
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13
Q

What was one of the most important reforms made by the coalition government

A

The fixed term parliament act 2011- removed power from PM who previously could call a general election whenever. Must now be every 5 years

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14
Q

What other reforms have been made to the House of Commons

A
  • increasing MPS wage to £74,000 to stop them fiddling with expenses
  • more free votes
  • less MPs 650->600
  • full time MPs
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15
Q

What factor is mostly to blame for the dominance of the executive over parliament

A

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

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16
Q

What controls how long each bill can be debated

A

The government

The parliament has no control over timetabling

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17
Q

How many days per year is the official opposition given to debate

A

3 days

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18
Q

Briefly evaluate:

“ is the House of Commons effective at holding the government to account “

A

✅select committees
✅PMQs
❌public bill committee
❌highly effective whip system

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19
Q

How do select committees hold the government to account

A

Set there own agendas and act free of party control and so produce unanimous cross party reports

They can compel ministers for questioning

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20
Q

How do PMQs hold the government to account

A

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

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21
Q

What are some of the problems of the public Bill committee

What does this limit

A

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

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22
Q

What are some of the issues of the whip system

What does this limit

A

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

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23
Q

What would a shadow cabinet ever consulted on

A

Bipartisan matters

24
Q

How many days are set aside in the commons timetable for debate and criticism of the govt

A

20

25
Q

What is the job of the opposition

A

Oppose
Scrutinise
Criticise

26
Q

How often do ministers answer questions in the commons

A

Once a month on a rota system

27
Q

What is an issue with ministers questions

A

Whips plant sycophantic questions which are asked by docile backbencher to make the job easier for ministers

28
Q

What does ministers questions demonstrate

A

Ministerial accountability

29
Q

Where are the questions and answers published from ministers questions

A

in the Hansard the same day they are released

30
Q

How many written questions are answered every year

A

35,000

31
Q

What is the job of the backbench business committee

A

Scrutiny and control of government spending

32
Q

Name the committee that monitors government spending

A

The commons public accounts committee and the national audit office

33
Q

What are three of the advantages of select committees

A
  • 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)
34
Q

What are some of the disadvantages of select committees

A
  • 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
35
Q

Name two of the reforms made to select committees by the wright reforms 2010

A

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

36
Q

What are the key functions of select committees

A

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

37
Q

Give an example of where a minister has been compelled to give evidence at a select committee

A

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

38
Q

Are MPs socially representative- analyse

A

NO-
Privately educated
Professional background
Lack of diverse background

YES-
Number of female MPs is on the rise

39
Q

What % of MPs are privately educated

A

35%

Far higher than national average of 7%

40
Q

What % of MPs are non white

A

4.1%

41
Q

What’s the phrase used to describe MPs

A

‘Male pale and stale’

42
Q

From 2017 parliament what percentage of MPs are women

A

32%

43
Q

What % of MPs are ex oxbridge students

A

23%

National average is <1%

44
Q

What are the three theories of representation

A
  • mandate model - abides by the party
  • delegate model- instructed by voters
  • trustee model- MPs do what they think is best
45
Q

ciriticse mandate model

A
  • 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
46
Q

Criticise delegate model

A
  • voters have no expertise
  • voters struggle to always feedback opinions on each legislation
  • difficult to come to a majority opinion
47
Q

Criticise trustee model

A

Takes away voters voice and defies representation and undermines democracy

MPs willing to completely deny voters wishes coz they reckon its for the best

48
Q

How many hours do MPs work a week

A

71 hours

49
Q

What is wage of an MP

A

£79,000

50
Q

What did Edmund Burke liken the whip system to be

A

“Whipping the hounds”

51
Q

Explain the different types of whip

A

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

52
Q

What is a free vote

A

Matters of the conscience, people can make up there own minds without consequences or a whip

53
Q

What is the role of the MP

A
  • 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
54
Q

Describe the passage of a bill

A 
First reading
Second reading
Committtee stage 
Report stage
Third reading 
House of Lords 
Royal assent
Review
55
Q

Name an example of a private members bill

A

David steels abortion act 1967

56
Q

What is a public bill

A

Concern the general public interest

A Level Politics UK and Ideologies (24 decks)

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