Main roles and functions of Parliament Flashcards
What are the 3 main roles/functions of Parliament?
- Representation
- Legislation
- Scrutiny&Accountability
What are the 2 other roles of Parliament (not the main roles)
- Legitimisation
- Political recruitment
How does Parliament fulfil the role of representation?
Commons MP’s are elected to serve a geographical constituency and those who live there
What should MP’s represent?
the concerns of their constituents within Parliament
How does Parliament perform the role of Legislation?
Parliaments primary function as a legislature is to legislate
Although most of a government’s legislature is uncontroversial, what must it past through before it can become law?
both chambers
When may a government’s legislature not need to be passed through both chambers?
if the Parliament Act is invoked
How does Parliament play an important role in scrutinising government? (2)
- through parliamentary committees
- other procedures such as PM Questions
How does Parliament perform the role of legitimisation ?
a government must have the confidence of the commons, if it does not it can cause its withdrawal through a Vote of no confidence
When was there a vote of no confidence?
James Callaghan’s Labour government 1979
In what year was James Callaghan’s Labour government given a vote of no confidence ?
1979
How does Parliament reform the role of Political recruitment?
Parliament provides the recruiting pool for which all members of the government are drawn
What have most ministers served before taking a high office?
an apprenticeship
Who is an example of someone who was brought into the Lords as a means of bringing them into Parliament?
Andrew Adonis in 2005
