MOCKS: Evaluate the view that since 2010 the executive has dominated Parliament. Flashcards
What are the 4 factors?
FPTP
Parliamentary committees
Ministerial resignations
Party divisions
FPTP: How is the parliament dominated by the executive? (Starter)
By being elected through a majority under FPTP.
In 2019, what majority did Boris Johnson win?
80 seat majority.
Highest since 1979.
What does a PM having a seat majority mean in terms of influence?
Has large amounts of support/loyalty so less likely to have opposition due to disproportionate seat representation.
Less resistance.
With the PM having a seat majority, what Committees does he also have a majority in? Influence?
Public Bill Committees.
Where detailed examinations of bills occur.
Will effectively pass policy ideas.
Who has faced effective scrutiny from parliament since 2010?
Coalition government and Tory governments.
Provide an example where the coalition government was scrutinised on a bill.
2012 HOL Reform Bill.
Abandoned bill.
Provide an example where Boris Johnson faced parliamentary scrutiny.
Over the Partygate scandal.
Received £50 fine for breaching COVID rules.
How does the executive facing scrutiny show it has not dominated parliament?
Executive is accountable for their actions.
Parliament yields power no matter what.
Used as a check and balance.
Provide an example where parliament scrutinised Liz Truss’ government.
2022.
Parliament criticised Kwasi Kwarteng’s 45p income tax rate.
Led to the downfall of the executive over 40 days.
Overall, what does FPTP show in turns of dominance?
Parliament will continue to challenge the executive so it doesn’t dominate.
Parliament committees: How does the executive dominate parliament? (Starter)
Argued parliament committees are weak.
When and what did Boris Johnson avoid attending? How does this show dominance?
2019.
Johnson avoided attending the liaison committee 3 times.
Meant he could avoid criticism over actions.
How does the executive missing committee appearances mean in terms of dominance?
Government can avoid criticism and may feel more entitled to do what they want without compromises.
Ignoring a parliament session makes the executive seem superior to it.
Public may see this, and view the executive higher.
What made parliament committees more effective in their functions?
The Wright Reforms.
When and what did the liaison committee tell Boris Johnson after he missed sessions? Impact?
2022
Told Johnson ‘The game is up’.
1 of the reasons Johnson resigned.
Shows parliament dominance through applying pressure.
Overall, what do parliament committees show in terms of dominance?
Parliament lacks powerful committee structures.
Allowed Johnson to get away with it for a short period.
Where are most ministerial resignations from?
The media pressure, not parliament.
When and why did David Cameron resign? What did it show in dominance terms?
2016.
Resigned after the EU referendum.
He called the referendum himself, not parliament.
He lost so was minister responsibility to resign.
When and why did Theresa May resign?
2019.
After failing to gain parliament’s support for a Brexit deal.
What do resignations show in dominance terms?
Executive dominates as most resign from their own actions, parliament doesn’t make them resign.
Shows executive power and support.
When was a vote of no confidence last used successfully?
1979.
How do party divisions make it harder for the executive to dominate?
Harder for the executive to maintain party discipline in the HOC.
Provide 2 examples where party divisions harmed the executive in dominating parliament.
2019 Theresa May.
Repeatedly had bills rejected, suffered largest defeat with 230 vote against a bill. Explains her resignation.
2024 Rishi Sunak.
11 Tory rebels against the Rwanda Bill.
Explains Tory downfall… leadership challenges.
