Parliament Flashcards
How many members form part of the House of Commons
650 elected members
Who is the Speaker of the House of Commons?
An MP chosen by all MP’s who must be impartial
When are general elections held?
25 days after dissolution of parliament
When is parliemtn dissolved under the Calling for Parliaments Act, 2022
Five years from the date it first meets, UNLESS dissolved earlier by the Monarch
Can the Monarch dissolve parliament?
Yes, under royal prerogative given to it by the Parliaments Act, 2022
What is the constitutional convention for the Monarch to dissolve Parliament?
The PM requests that the Monarch dissolved Parliament
When will PM ask the Monarch to dissolve parliament?
Usually in year four or five of that sitting if his party has a large majority OR if the government lose a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons
Who can be an MP
- Over 18
- Commonwealth Member or a Paddy
- Not a member of the House of Lords
Who can’t be an MP
- Members of House of Lords
- Members of Judiciary
- Civil Servants
- Members of the armed forces
- Police
- Members of other parliaments or legislatures
When can an MP be recalled?
- Conviction with prison sentence
- Suspension by the House of Commons for 10 days for misconduct
- Guilty of giving false/misleading information about their expenses
What is the recall procedure?
If a recall is triggered, the speaker notifies the MP’s constituency who may sign a recall petition. 10% of electorate sign, then recall occurs.
What type of members are in the House of Lords?
- Hereditary Peers (92)
- Life Peers
- Lords Spiritual
- Law lords
In Primary legislation, what is the purpose of the King’s Speech?
To outline the government’s legislative proposal for the upcoming session
Can a bill be passed over two sessions?
No, a bill must be passed in one session unless both houses agree to carry-over a bill to the next session
When does a parliamentary session end or begin?
When the Monarch, on the advice of the PM, exercises the Royal Prerogative of prorogation
Can a decision to unreasonably extend prorogation (suspension of parliament) be challenged in court?
Yes
What is the Legislative Process (steps) in the House of Commons?
- First Reading
- Second Reading
- Committee Stage
- Report Stage
- Third Reading
- Consideration of Amendments (ping pong)
- Royal Assent
- Commencement
What is the First Reading stage ?
Introduction/publication of the Bill and explanatory notes
What is the Second Reading stage?
First debate on the principles of the Bill
What is the Committee Stage
Line-by-line scrutineering where MP’s can table amendments which are debated and if approved, form part of the bill
What are the two types of committees at the committee stage?
- Public Bill Committee of 16-30 MPs (proportional to House) which can recieve evidence from experts/groups about the bill
- Committee of the whole House for uncontroversional/urgent bills
What is the Report Stage?
Bill goes from committee to the House and is considered in the chamber.
Can amendments be made at Report Stage?
Yes, but only limited amendments that have NOT been debated previously.
What is the Third Reading stage?
Final review before going to the other house. In house of lords, it is final chance for amendments to be made
