MOCKS: To what extent are MPs effective? Flashcards
What are the 3 positives?
Scrutiny
Can give out own mandate
Raise concern on overlooked problems
What are the 2 negatives?
Scrutiny not serious enough
Appointed by head of govt (party whip)
What are MPs significant in debating? Example?
Huge issues.
E.g., economy.
What is parliamentary scrutiny by definition?
The close examination of government policies, actions, and spending done by the Commons, Lords and committees.
What are PMQs? When do they happen?
Where MPs directly challenged the PM.
Every Wednesday for 30 minutes.
How do PMQs engage the public?
MPs use ideas from their constituency.
Filmed live so has media effect.
What would happen without MPs in scrutiny terms?
Issues/concerns by constituents would be missed.
NEW PARA: However… what is the reputation of MP scrutiny?
No reputation for serious scrutiny, despite PM requirement to answer backbencher questions.
Why is the House of Commons described as a ‘political theatre’?
Has become an exercise in point-scoring with MPs shouting in a childish manner.
Speaker intervenes to address behavior.
Too many easy questions
What is the overall argument against MP scrutiny then?
MPs use their power to gain media attention rather than asking serious questions.
Wastes government time.
What is a mandate? How are MPs effective with this?
Mandate= an authority to carry out a policy.
MPs can give out their own mandate, which can highlight issues that fail to exist in any other party.
When was the Elections Act? What did it do?
2022.
Law to produce ID, to reduce voter fraud.
Why did the Elections Act require majority MP approval?
Or else the government could have been viewed as unnecessarily acting out of limit.
= Negative media!!!
How do MPs having own mandate help the government during crisis?
Allows harsh and unsuccessful government decisions to be justified by MPs.
Public gain greater understanding through constituency leader.
Why is it argued government should pay less attention to MPs because they’re elected by the prime minister?
MPs jeopardised to be similar to government… party whip!
What links MP success?
Strong link between MP success and party manifesto.
