Parliament Flashcards
What is the structure of the HoC
Known as lower house Elected half of parliament 650 members of parliament Candidates for MP drawn from local constituency parties Front bench mps Backbench mps Select committees Legislative committees Party whips The speaker
What is a front bench mp
Govt ministers (senior and junior) plus leading spokespersons from opposition parties Around 150 mps are front bench mps
What are backbench mps
All mps who are not front bench (around 500)
What is a select committee and give an example
Permanent committee of backbench mps elected by all mps Usually have 11-15 members Hold govt to account Health select Committee on standards Defence committee
What is a legislative committee
Temporary committee to scrutinise proposed legislation proposing amendments
Have 20-40 members
What are party whips
Senior mps whose role is to keep party discipline
Who is the speaker
They are elected by Mps and is neutral
Keeps order in the house
What is the structure of the HoL
Known as upper house Unelected half of parliament Contains 800 peers Hereditary Life Archbishops The Lord Speaker
What are hereditary peers
Inherited the title from their father and will pass it to their son (maybe daughter - ahhh patriarchy!!)
92 hereditary peers
What are life peers
Appointed for life by party leaders and an appointments commission
Most are independent cross bench peers
Who are life peers
Former politicians
Former civil servants
Prominent citizens (leading business men, govt advisors etc)
How many archbishops sit in HoL
26
Who is the lord speaker
Presides over debates in the house and maintains discipline
3 categories of peers
Professional politicians - often former ministers who are party members and are expected to follow the party line eg Lord Baker (con) Lord Mandalson (lab)
Amateur peers - not politicians but support a particular party eg Lord Coe (former Olympic athlete and head of 2012 olympics) Lord Winston (lab - medical ethics)
Crossbench peers - independent eg Lord Bird (founder of big issue) Lord Dannatt (military)
What is an MP
They represent a constituency in parliament
They all represent a political party occasionally there is an independent MP but v rare (Martin Bell)
How do you become an mp
Need to be “adopted” by a political party
Usually through local party committees which draw up a short list and interview candidates
Candidate will win a seat if they win most votes in a general or by election under first past the post system
What is parliamentary privilege
Ancient principle that protects Mps from external pressure and means they can not be sued or prosecuted for anything they say in the HoC
Also means monarch can not interfere with work of parliament
Can an mp be suspended
Yes and if offence is serious enough they may be forced to face a by election by their constituents
Do mps have to sit on committees
Any mp can seek to be elected to a select committee
All mps are expected to sit regularly on legislative committees
How does an mp speak in a debate
They must tell their party whip and the speaker
What is a life peer
One who is granted a peerage but can not pass it on to their children
what roles do peers have
Represent sections of society (ethnic minorities, the elderly etc)
Represent political causes (environment, human rights, animal welfare)
Scrutinise legislation
Who is the mp who presides over debates in the HoC
The speaker
Lindsay Hoyle
What is the name of a party official who seeks to ensure that MPs or peers represent the party
Party Whip
Chief whip Con Mark Spencer
Chief whip Lab Nick Brown
What name is given to an appointed peer who has no party alliegance
Cross bench
What name is give to the person, a member of the opposition, who presides over a committee that examines the financial arrangements of the govt
Chair of the public accounts committee
Currently Meg Hillier (Lab)
What are the 6 functions of the HoC
Legitimation Accountability Scrutiny Constituency work Representation of interests National debate
What does the term confidence mean
Usually applied to a vote of no confidence. If it is passed it will effectively dismiss the govt and force an election
What does legitimation mean (HoC)
Formal process of making proposed laws legitimate by granting consent
What does accountability mean (hoc)
Commons acting on behalf of the people
Forces govt to explain policy, answer criticisms
Occasionally voting to dismiss the govt through a vote of no confidence
What does scrutiny mean (HoC)
Any proposed legislation is examined by MPs. They make amendments to improve it to or protect minorities
What is meant by constituency work (HoC)
MPs are expected to ensure that the interests of their constituencies are protected both as a whole and for individuals
What is meant by representation of interests(HoC)
When interests of sections of societies may be affected by policy change mps may seeks to protect such interests
What is meant by national debate (HoC)
Sometimes great issues need to be debated by the peoples representatives
What are the 4 functions of the HoL
Revising
Delaying
Secondary legislation
National debate
What is meant by revising (HoL)
Shared function with HoC.
Scrutinises legislation
Suggests changes
HoL has many experts which makes this meaningful
What is meant by delaying (HoL)
HoL can not veto legislation but they can force the govt to represent it the following year - giving govt time to think and make changes
What is meant by secondary legislation (HoL)
Lots of minor regulations within major laws which needs to be approved. HoC does not have time so HoL does it
What is meant by National debate (function of HoL)
Shares this with HoC but is less influential
6 powers of HoC
Approve or reject proposed legislation
Dismiss a govt through a vote of no confidence
Order ministers to answer questions (in parliament/select committee)
Amend legislation
Order debates on important national issues
Introduce matters of concern to an MP
How does HoC introduce matters of concern to an MP
Ten minute rule debate or adjournment debate
What is a ten minute rule debate
A regular opportunity for backbench MPs to raise an issue of importance to them. They have 10 mins
What is an adjournment debate
When parliament has some spare time at the end of a debate backbenchers have the opportunity to raise issues of importance to them
What are the 4 powers of the HoL
Delay the passage of legislation for at least a year
Amend legislation (may be overturned by HoC)
Order govt ministers (also members of HoL) to answer questions on govt policy
Debate issues of national concern
What are the main/key distinctions between HoC and HoL
HoC can veto proposed legislation but HoL can only delay for a year
HoC can amend legislation whereas HoL can only propose amendments
HoC can call minsters and govt reps to account in select committees. No such committees exist in HoL
HoC can dismiss govt by passing vote of no confidence. HoL can not
Generally HoC has democratic legitimacy but HoL does not
What does democratic legitimacy mean
The authority a body gains if it is elected and accountable to the people
Is the monarch part of parliament
No
Although there is State opening of parliament, queens speech and fact that bills need royal assent to become law the monarch is purely NON political and passive
What factors should be considered when deciding how representative parliament is
Party representation
How many women
How many religions represented
How well are ethnic minorities represented
What reforms of HoC are being proposed
Reducing size of commons to around 600 mps
Departmental select committees to have the power to scrutinise legislation before it is debated
More opportunities to examine secondary (detailed) legislation
Change to a more proportional electoral system
There is little interest in country for reform (referendum on electoral reform in 2011)
What are main ideas for possible reform of HoL
All appointed
All elected
Part elected/part appointed
Issues for all appointed upper house - good/bad depends on your politics!
people with special experience could be recruited into legislative process
Make up of house could be manipulated to counterbalance govt majority
Without need to seek re-election members would be more independent
Would avoid possibility of same party controlling both houses
Issues for all elected HoL (good or bad)
Would be wholly democratic
If elected by PR would prevent a govt having too much power
Under PR small parties would gain representation
Members would be properly accountable
Issues with part elected / part appointed HoL
Has advantages of both alternatives
Probably only one which wold be acceptable to all parties
What are the 5 types of legislation that pass through parliament
Public bills Primary legislation Secondary legislation (or delegated legislation) Private members bills Private bills
What is a public bill
Presented by govt. they are expected to pass into law
What is primary legislation
These are major pieces of legislation either changing the law or granting powers to subsidiary bodies to make secondary legislation
What is secondary legislation
Ministerial orders.
Under powers granted in primary legislation ministers/bodies may make minor regulations
Most are not debated in parliament BUT parliament has option to veto
What is a private members bill
Mps may enter a ballot allowing 5 mps each year to present proposed legislation
Rarely pass into law unless they receive govt support
Not usually enough parliamentary time to consider them
Eg Assisted Dying Bill first reading in HoL 26 May 2021
What is a private bill
Presented by individuals outside govt
They apply to parliament for permission to take certain actions which are currently forbidden (eg changing land use)
Go through simplified form of parliamentary procedure
Are rarely refused
What are the key stages in processing a bill into law (7)
First reading Second reading Committee stage Report stage Third reading Passage to the other house Same procedures in lords Royal assent
What is a bill
A proposal presented to parliament for legislation
Becomes an Act of Parliament if passed
What is meant by First reading
Mps are informed about the bill but it is not debated
What is meant by second reading
The main debate about the bill
If passed moves to greater scrutiny
What is meant by the committee stage
The bill committee considers the bill line by line and may propose amendments
What is meant by the report stage
The bill is debated again with all amendments added
What is mean by third reading
The final debate
Last opportunity to block legislation
What is meant by passage to the other house
Most bills start in HoC and pass to HoL but not all
What is meant by same procedures
Once the bill moves to the other house then that other house runs through all the same process (first reading, second reading, committee (whole house), report and third reading)
What is meant by Royal assent
Formal passage of the bill into law
The legislative process in the HoL is governed by what convention
Salisbury
Features of legislation in the HoL
Subject to 1911 and 1949 Parliament Acts
Mean HoL can only delay legislation for up to a year
1911 act means HoL has no control over financial matters
Subject to Salisbury convention (unwritten)
Legislative procedure is same as HoC expect all peers can attend and vote at committee stage
What is the Salisbury convention
Unwritten constitutional convention
From 1940’s
Lords can not obstruct any proposed legislation that was contained in the government party’s last election campaign
Role of backbench MPs
Taking part in debates on legislation and voting
Speaking in general debates on govt business
Speaking in backbench debates (constituency interests)
Scrutinising proposed legislation at committee stage
Poss being member of a select committee
Taking part in fact finding missions
Membership of committee formed by their own party to develop policy
Campaigning / lobbying for outside interest group or cause
Listening to grievances of constituents and sometimes truing to redress these (Catherine West and daddy !)
Attending important events in their constituencies
List some of the weaknesses in relation to govt
Expected to be loyal to party as elected on its manifesto
Govt usually enjoys a majority so few votes in house are in doubt (although this was less so 2010-2019)
Mps lack research facilities
Have to divide time between HoC and constituencies
Few opportunities for MPs to raise issues on floor of house
List some of the strengths mps enjoy in relation to govt
They can be influential in select committees
Collectively mps can thwart govt so their opinion has to be considered
Determined groups of dissident MPs in the governing party can cause problems (eg ERG for cons 2010-2019)
Can attract considerable public and media attention
When govt lacks a majority then mps become v influential
What does scrutiny mean in relation to parliament
Examining proposed legislation and suggesting amendments
What do supply days mean in relation to parliament
Days when debates are chosen by opposition parties
What does vote of no confidence mean in relation to parliament
When parliament votes on whether the govt should continue in office
What does committee stage mean in relation to parliament
When parliament considers amendments to proposed legislation
What does second reading mean in relation to parliament
The main debate on proposed legislation
Best MP’s in 2019
Ranked by people power index on change.org Wayne David (lab) Justin Tomlinson (con)
Where do most important select committees sit
HoC
What are two types of select committees
Public accounts committee
Departmental select committees (usually 19)
What is a select committee
A permanent committee of backbench MPs which as a specific task (usually to hold govt to account in a certain area)
What is most important select committee
Public account committee
What are characteristics of Public Accounts committee
9 members (including leader of the HoC)
Scrutinises value for money
Its chair is ALWAYS member of main opposition party
Chair has great prestige (and salary!)
Chair and members are elected by all MP’s so not controlled by party leaders
Members tend to act independently so even though govt has majority on committee it has not advantage
Reports are often unanimous
V high profile - hearings often broadcast as news
Examples of major PAC investigations
2010 - BBC use of public funds
2014 - financing of fast broadband for poorly served regions
2015 - effectiveness of cancer care by NHS
2016 - Google tax affairs
Characteristics of departmental select committees
19 DSC- each investigating work of a govt department
Look at efficiency, effectiveness, fairness and value for money
Members are elected by MPs from whole house
Chair elected by committee (bigger salary)
Usually 11-14 members per committee
Governing party has majority on each committee
Chairs may be from any party
Small parties have a few members
Like PAC they are largely independent of party allegiance
Like PAC they can call witnesses inc ministers
Their reports an recommendations are presented to whole house and receive considerable publicity
Examples of Significant reports from Departmental select committees
2012 - home affairs - into independent police complaints commissions role in investigation into Hillsborough disaster
2014 - Defence - circumstances when uk should make military interventions in world conflicts
2015 - Treasury - proposals for stricter regulation of banking sector
2016 - Business, innovation and skills - into alleged bad working practices at sports direct
2016 - Work and Pensions - collapse of BHS and loss of the pension fund
What is the liaison committee
Made up of all the chairs of the departmental select committees.
Questions PM extensively over key aspects of govt policy
What is the backbench business committee
Determines the business of the house for more than 20 day a year.
Decides what backbenchers will debate on those days
What is the rule that guarantees the rights of MPs to say whatever they wish without fear of prosecution or being sued for defamation
Parliamentary privilege
What is the rule that the HoL must not obstruct proposals which were contained in the governing party’s last election manifesto
Salisbury Convention
What rule says that the HoL can only delay govt legislation for up to one year
Parliament Act
What rule gives backbench MPs a brief opportunity to raise a special issue on the floor of the house
Ten minute rule
Identify 3 types of committee operating in the HoC and one in HoL
Public Accounts committee
Departmental select committees
Bill committees
Bill committees - HoL
What is meant by the term opposition
A general term referring to all parties that are not part of the govt
What are supply days
parliamentary days under the control of the opposition parties
Who make up opposition
All MPs and peers who are not members of the governing party
What is the “official opposition”
The second largest party in the HoC
What is the Leader of the second largest party called
Leader of the opposition
What privileges does leader of the opposition have
Can speak in debates
Takes main role at PMQs
Takes part in ceremonials state occasions and meets visiting dignitaries and heads of state
What does role of opposition include
Forces govt to explain and justify its policies and decisions
Highlighting the shortcomings of the way the govt is running the country
Presenting alternative proposals to govt
Making itself ready to be an alternative govt
How many supply days are there each year
More than 20
Can opposition force a vote issues debated on supply days
Yes
In 2009 opposition defeated govt about whether or not Gurkha soldiers had right of residency in uk
How are ministers held to account
All ministers have to appear before the commons on a regular basis to answer questions
Ministers who are peers have to appear in the Lords
Ministers must answer written questions from MPs or peers
PM faces PMQ each week
PM also questioned by Liaison committee of the HoC twice a year
Which body examines the work of govt departments
Departmental select committees
Which body can delay legislation for a year
HoL
Which body can scrutiny of legislation by the whole house
HoL committee stage
Which body debates great issues largely free of party control
Free vote
Which body examines the effectiveness of the governments financial arrangements
Public accounts committtee
Outline 3 features of departmental select committees
Critically examine the policies of govt departments
Operate largely free of party control
Members are elected by backbench MPs
