Legislative Scrutiny - unit 2 Flashcards
Explain PMQ’s as a means of legislative scrutiny in the UK.
The opposition leader is allowed 6 questions and MPs from all other parties are allowed to ask questions, these questions are unseen. PMQs are televised and can be found online. There are ‘general questions’ in which each government department takes turns on a rota to answer questions for an hour each day.
Give an example of legislative scrutiny via PMQ’s in the UK.
During the covid pandemic the opposition asked the PM questions regarding ‘partygate’ and asked him to justify himself.
Analyse PMQ’s as a means of legislative scrutiny in the UK.
Due to the unseen nature of the questions the PM can be put on the spot and forced to answer questions which he may not otherwise have chosen to disclose the answer to. The vast level of media scrutiny means that answers may go viral which can impact the PM’s popularity.
Explain the House of Lords as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the UK.
It is a second chamber which acts as a check on the government. Its role is to examine, debate and scrutinise legislation. They can ask the government to reconsider its stance on certain bills. Many members are professionals in specific fields.
Give an example of the House of Lords as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the UK.
For example, The House of Lords asked the Commons to reconsider the Hunting Act 2004.
Explain what the House of Lords have no influence over, in the UK.
The Lords have no influence over taxation or money bills.
Analyse the House of Lords as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the UK.
The Lords have the power of delay, they can avoid debating certain pieces of legislation, slowing the passage. Although many people believe the Lords should either be abolished or awarded more powers due to their inability to make decisions on their own.
Explain the opposition as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the UK.
The leader of the second largest party, the Labour party is Keir Starmer. His main role is to act as an effective method of scrutiny. He offers alternative opinions and stances on major issues. The opposition elects a shadow cabinet to shadow the work of the government cabinet.
Give an example of the opposition scrutinising the legislative, in the UK.
For example, Keir Starmer asked MPs to vote against a rise in national insurance and a proposed social care plan.
Analyse the opposition scrutinising the legislative, in the UK.
The shadow cabinet acts as a ‘government in waiting’ and act as an alternative response. This forces the government to make robust and concrete decisions or they face losing votes to the opposition.
Explain the media as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the US.
Some media outlets stream politics 24/7 with most supporting a specific political agenda, forcing harsh scrutiny of congress and the President.
Give an example of a US media scrutinising a specific legislative political agenda.
For example, FOX news was fiercely critical over Obama’s healthcare and immigration reforms.
Analyse the media as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the US.
People have great access to US politics. The public can see most of the decisions and debates taking place. The media can chose what they do/do not show, according to their political stance. This can influence the public’s opinion on the legislative.
Explain congressional committees as a means of legislative scrutiny, in the US.
Committees are specialised to specific areas such as health. They obtain a high status and have the power to amend legislation before it is implemented.
Give an example of congressional committees scrutinising the legislative, in the US.
For example, committees examine the details of over 6000 bills in a two year period.
