Parliament Flashcards
Parliament
British legislature
HoC, HoL, Monarch
HoC
first chamber, elected by voters
HoL
second chamber, not elected
Salisbury Convention
House of Lords does not delay or block legislation that was included in a government’s manifesto or at a second/ third reading
Parliamentary Priviledge
right of MPs or Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including law
legislative Bills
Proposed laws passing through Parliament
public bill committees
Committees responsible for looking at bills in detail
backbenchers
MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office.
select committees
Committee responsible for scrutinising the work of government, particularly of individual government departments.
opposition
MPs, Lords and party that isn’t governing
example of front bencher
jeremy hunt
example of back bencher
theresa may
how many hereditary peers
92
hereditary peer
peer who inherits title from father
lord spiritual
most senior member of religious group
how many lord spiritual
26
why can lord spiritual be undemocratic
unelected
example of lack of representation in HoL
lord spirituals- all bishops- 1 religion.
doesn’t fully represent diverity of UK
bicameral
made up of 2 chambers
how many people live in a single constituency
60,000 to 80,000
how many constituencies in UK
650
how many constituencies in England
533
how many constituencies in Scotland
59
party whip
senior MP who informs members about Parl and esnures suppot / maintain party disipline
how many front bench mps
around 50
how many conservative HoL peers
260
how many labour HoL peers
173
Functions of HoC
Propose legislation
Approve public finance
PMQ’s
Ministers questions
Public Bills + Committees
Represent constituency
Function of HoL
Debate legislation
Can’t block public finance bills
Question junior ministers on policy
Lords can represent some groups
‘Confidence and Supply’
Supply - Willingness of the Commons to authorise necessary taxation or to allow GOVt to carry out its duties (Executive)
Confidence - Commons faith in GOVt to be able to operate and get things done
Role of a Backbench MP
Represent party
Propose legislation
Hold surgeries
Take part in debate
Campaigning or lobbying
Name 5 Select committees
HoC Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Departmental select Committee
Liason Committee
Backbench business Committee
How did Layla Moran use her parliamentary privilege?
2022
- To name Russian oligarchs who are funding Putin’s regime
- These 35 oligarchs were not facing the sanctions imposed by the UK GOVt
What does the Liaison Committee do?
35 members (May 2023)
Made up of select committee chairs, they consider overall work of select committee’s
Promotes effective scrutiny and holds PM to account
What does the Public Accounts Committee do?
Examines value for money on government projects.
Scrutinises public spending and holds GOVT and civil servants to account for the delivery of public services.
What does the HoC Select committee do?
Gather oral and written evidence regarding findings for each Government department.
Minimum of 11 members
