P2 - Backbenchers Flashcards
What is a parliamentary privilege
within the walls of parliament, MPs are free to speak without fear of prosecution for slander. Allegedly, it is the origins of the phrase: ‘would you like to step outside and say that?’
when was the Backbench Business Committee introduced
2010
how has the role of backbenchers increased
they are now able to choose topics for debate 35 days a year
how are topics chosen by the BBC (2010)
they can be chosen by individual backbenchers or via e-petitions signed by the public, giving backbenchers more say and power over debates in Parliament
When did Backbenchers become more independent when voting in parliament
2007
How did Wright Reforms help backbencher independence
they removed the whips’ power over the selection of members
Who reinstated urgent questions in the Commons
speaker John Bercow
How many urgent questions did John Bercow grant between 2009-2014
over 150
How do Whips limit backbenchers’ power
they encourage backbenchers to vote with their party.
what can whips do to entice backbenchers
give them ‘carrots’ such as sending them on fact-finding trips to exotic locations and giving positive reports to PMs for the next reshuffle of their government.
What threats can whips give to MPs
refusing to ‘pair’ MPs, revealing information they hold on MPs to newspapers and scuppering their chances of any promotion
what resource limitations do backbenchers have
compared to the government, backbenchers have relatively few resources to rely on. They have limited research and admin staff, and a meagre budget to explore personal interests
