Interactions with the Executive Flashcards
What is parliamentary privilege?
MPs can say whatever they want in parliament without the fear of being sued or prosecuted
What is the the role of parliamentary privilege?
to ensure that MPs and peers enjoy their historic right to freedom of speech
Give an example of parliamentary privilege in use
Lord Hain used parliamentary privilege to name Philip Green as the subject of a super injunction
Philip Green was reported to be at the centre of a sexual harrassment scandal
How has the creation of the Backbench Business Committee given MPs more power?
MPs now have more power to shape the agenda by allowing them to choose the topic for debate on one day per week leading to debates on subjects that may not otherwise have been chosen and also require cross party support
Describe the role of ‘urgent questions’
this is a device that, subject to the approval of the Speaker of the House, allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring an immediate answer from a government minister
Give an example of the use of ‘urgent questions’
the summoning of Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green to answer an urgent question put forward by Labour MP Stephen Timms regarding changes to a benefit paid to disabled people
How can we argue that backbench MPs are playing an increasingly significant role within parliament?
able to scrutinise government activity and holding the executive to account through:
- Backbench Business Committee
- number of backbench rebellions against government measures
- increase in the use of ‘urgent questions’
What are the limits on the influence of backbenchers in getting any action taken on their issues?
adjournment debate or the 10 minute rule means the only result is likely to be an airing of the MP’s concern in debate rather than any action taken
What does the government give priority to than listening to the proposals of backbench MPs?
public bill committees as the government has a majority on these committees and often it will use its position of strength to introduce its own amendments
What important factors in the Commons limit the influence of backbenchers?
power of patronage and ties of party loyalty
What is a party whip?
MPs or members of the Lords appointed by each party in Parliament to help organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary business
What are the responsibilities of a party whip?
- to make sure the maximum number of their party members vote and vote the way their party wants
- granting leave of absence if an MPs vote is not essential
What is the significance of the whip?
the whip is the written instruction for an MP to attend
it indicates the important for an MP to be present
What is a ‘three-line whip’?
the most important votes are underlined three times
Give an example of when a ‘three-line whip’ is most commonly applied
to major events such as the second readings of significant bills
What is the result of an MP defying a three-line whip?
could result in the whip being withdrawn from an MP or Lord meaning that the Member is effectively expelled from their party
they still keep their seat but sit as an independent until the whip is restored
When might an MP get the whip withdrawn?
in cases of misconduct where it is felt that an MP has damaged the party’s reputation
Give an example of MP who got the whip removed
Rob Roberts May 2021
made repeated and unwanted sexual advances towards a male former member of staff
suspended from parliament for six weeks and by the party for 12 weeks
still sits as an independent MP in the Commons
Give examples of the ways in which the function of scrutiny is performed
- questions to ministers
- select committees
- debate
How has PM Questions been criticised?
for being unduly theatrical and ‘gladiatorial’ between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition
Give an example of the ‘gladiatorial’ nature of the encounter between the PM and the leader of the opposition during PMQs
clashes between Cameron and Corbyn were nortorious for their displays of scorn
Cameron on one occasion attacked his oppositions choice of suit
When are PMQs held?
once a week at 12pm on Wednesday
Describe the nature of PMQs
- attracts considerable attention in press and television reporting
- intensive preparation takes place suggesting it is a significant event
- sometimes ‘gladiatorial’ and ‘theatrical’
How does Blair describe PMQs?
“the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage-draining experience” of his political life
How is there considerable stage management during PMQs?
MPs on the government side deliberately ask ‘planted’ questions to present the PM in a good light
What aspect of PMQs arguably provides a better scrutiny of government activity?
the rota on which ministers answer questions about their own departments as this usually entails more detailed questioning and ministers are given notice of oral questions so that they can prepare an answer
What is a less well known version of ministerial questions?
MPs can submit written questions that are answered by civil servants
allows opposition MPs to inform themselves about gov policy
individual members can raise issued of interest to constituents
What are select committees?
made up of backbench MPs that are set up to investigate a specific issue in detail or to perform a specific scrutiny role
How do select committees perform the role of parliamentary scrutiny?
they may call in officials and experts for questioning
they can demand information from the government
they publish their findings in a report and the government is expected to respond to any recommendations made
What reform was introduced in 2010 that increased the independence of select committees?
chairs are now elected by their fellow MPs rather than chosen by the party whips
members are chosen by secret ballot within party groups
Why is the work of select committees respected?
because it is evidence based
they have accumulated knowledge and expertise
How do select committees earn the respect of the public?
- their hearing are televised and reported in the media
- they air issues of public interest
- this therefore increases their influence
How has the scope of the work of select committees widened in recent years?
their work now includes the scrutiny of legislation
How has the role of select committee members had an increasing influence?
- long serving members can accumulate more knowledge of a particular policy area than a minister
- some experienced chairs of select committees have become considerable public figures
- this role is now recognised as an alternative career path to the ministerial ladder
What is the relationship between select committees and government policy?
select committees have a direct influence on government policy
Give an example of select committees having a direct influence on government policy
in 2014 the Home Office took the Passport Office back under ministerial control following a critical report by the Home Affairs Select Committee
How is the influence of select committees limited?
- a majority of select committee members are drawn from the governing party
- select committees can only cover a limited range of topics in depth due to lack of resources
- some MPs do not attend
- committees power to summon witnesses is restricted
What select committees do MPs from the government side traditionally chair?
the influential treasury, foreign affairs and defence committees
What percentage of select committee recommendations does the government tend to accept?
40% and most rarely involve major changes of policy
Give an example of when a select committee’s power to summon witnesses was restricted
2013 home secretary Theresa May blocked the Home Affairs Select Committee from interviewing head of MI5, Andrew Parker
How does the function of select committees differ in the Lords to those in the Commons?
in the Lords select committees scrutinise legislation and investigation particular issues
Lords committees deliberately seek to avoid duplicating the work of their counterparts in the Commons
Give an example of a select committee in the Lords
Constitution Committee - examines public bills for their constitutional implications and investigates broad constitutional issues
How does the opposition hold the government to account?
largely through the media where they reach a larger audience, opposition MPs will concentrate on attacking the audience
What dilemma does the opposition face?
needing to criticise ministers whilst also projecting themselves in a statesmanlike light as a government in waiting
What does the leader of the opposition take a major role in doing?
- responding to the government programme set out in the annual Queen’s speech
- replies to the chancellor of the exchequer’s budget speech
How does the opposition function in parliament?
they are allocated 20 days a year to purpose subjects for debate
Give an example of an opposition party that proposed a subject for debate
SNP in 2015 instigated debates on the Trident nuclear defence system which they stro ngly opposed
What is the significance of the opposition proposing subjects to debate?
it is only of symbolic importance allowing opposition parties to merely register their views on aspects of government policy with little motion occurring as a response
