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Parliament Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Parliament?

A

• Comprises the HofCs and HoLs
• Possesses supreme legislative authority
• Scrutinises the work of government and represents the diverse interests of the UK
• Provides the membership of the government

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2
Q

What did the Bills of Rights Act 1689 do?

A

Established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty

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3
Q

Why is the executive and legislature fused in the UK?

A

The executive is decided with members from the Commons (and some Lords).
Power is derived from the Commons, and if the Commons loses confidence, they can be ousted.

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4
Q

What is seen as the first recognisable government?

A

• The de Montfort Parliament 1265
• The decision of the nobleman Simon de Montfort to summon commoners as well as nobles and churchmen to Westminster Hall in 1265 to discuss reforms

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5
Q

What did the Parliaments Acts 1911and 1949
establish/do?

A

• The principle that the Hols, as an unelected body, could only delay, not veto, legislation that the HoCs had passed
•1949 the Lords’ delaying power was reduced to 1 year

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6
Q

What did the HoLs Act 1999 do?

A

All but 92 hereditary peers were removed from the HoLs
• As a result, most members of the Lords are life peers, which has made the Hols more assertive in its dealings with the HofCs

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7
Q

focus on boris, blair and cameron and additional of Thatcher and may

A
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8
Q

What is the House of Commons?

A

Parliament’s democratically elected chamber.
Each MP represents a constituency of around 70,000 people.

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9
Q

How can MPs be divided?

A

Frontbench
Backbench

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10
Q

Why are front benchers required to follow party leadership?

A

Collective Ministerial Responsibility.

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11
Q

How do parties maintain discipline for voting?

A

Appointment of party whips.
Whips - MPs/Lords appointed by each party in Parliament helping organise their party’s contribution to parliamentary
(A responsibility is making sure everyone in the party votes. Has 3 different line of whips showing importance)

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12
Q

What can the punishment for not following the party be?

A

The party whip can be withdrawn, removing them from the party.

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13
Q

Who is required to be impartial in the
Commons?

A

The Speaker.

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14
Q

What powers are reserved with the speaker?

A

They can discipline misbehaving MPs via suspension.

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15
Q

What is the role of the leader of the
opposition?

A

Scrutinise the policies of the government are thoroughly scrutinised.
Convince the public that the opposition is an alternative government in waiting.

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16
Q

How has the opposition been able to scrutinise the government from a funding perspective?

A

Claiming Short money from public funds to finance the leader of the opposition’s office.

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17
Q

When does the leader of the opposition go head to head with the PM, weekly?

A

PM Question Time (PMQT).
Given the right to ask six questions

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18
Q

What is the House of Lords?

A

The unelected chamber of Westminster
Parliament.

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19
Q

Why do the HoLs have less authority than the HofCs?

A

They are not democratically elected, and cannot claim the democratic legitimacy that the HofCs can.

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20
Q

Throughout history, what was the HoLs made up of?

A

Composed of hereditary peers.

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21
Q

Why did the Life Peerages Act improve the professional legitimacy of the Hol?

A

Their appointment to the Lords is based on the service they have provided the nation rather than just their family title.

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22
Q

Why do many peers not take up a party whip in the Lords?

A

The House of Lords is less influenced by party politics than the House of Commons as they are appointed because of their service to the nation.

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23
Q

What is the convention on Lords appointments relative to the Commons?

A

Appointments should be made roughly based on the configuration of the Commons.

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24
Q

Why are the debates in the Lords more courteous than the Commons?

A

The Lords focuses on scrutiny and revising legislation.

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25
Q

What are the main functions of the Commons?

A

• Legitimation
• Legislation
• Scrutiny
• Representation
• Debate
• Providing Government

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26
Q

What are the main functions of the Lords?

A

• Legislation
• Scrutiny

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27
Q

What was Parliament initially established for?

A

Provide consent that would legitimise the decisions of the monarch.

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28
Q

Why do parliamentary bills require the consent of the Commons?

A

Legitimation is the Commons main function as a democratically elected government.

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29
Q

What is the convention on military action?

A

It is practice to now consult the Commons over committing British forces to action.

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30
Q

Why is the legitimising role of the Commons controversial?

A

The UK does not have a codified constitution determining the powers the Commons has in relation to the government.

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31
Q

What is the legislative function of the
Commons?

A

The process via which parliamentary bills become law.

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32
Q

Why are there criticisms of the Commons legislative process?

A

The government has too much power over the overall process via whips, large majorities, composition of Public Bill Committees.

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33
Q

Why has the composition of Public Bill
Committees been criticised?

A

The membership is proportionate to party strength in the Commons.

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34
Q

What parliamentary act was criticised for it’s legislative process?

A

ASBOS.
Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
The criteria was so poorly worded that excessive singing or rudeness to neighbours would count as an ASBO, as there was such a massive
Labour majority in the Commons at the time.

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35
Q

How can majority parties have bills defeated in the Commons?

A

If their MPs rebel.

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36
Q

What is a public bill committee?

A

Once a bill has passed it’s second reading in the Commons, its details are then considered by a Public Bill Committee, when possible amendments will be discussed.

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37
Q

What is a select committee?

A

A small number of MPs investigate works of the departments of state, but can also focus on specific subjects.

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38
Q

What is parliamentary privilege?

A

MPs and peers are protected from being sued for libel or slander to ensure that MPs and peers have freedom of speech.

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39
Q

How can the Commons scrutinise the
government?

A

Public Bill Committees.

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40
Q

Why are public bill committees often criticised?

A

They are too politically partisan.

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41
Q

Why are MPs in the committee forced to support the party line?

A

MPs who sit on the committee are selected by the whips.

42
Q

Why were select committees introduced?

A

They were introduced to monitor the performance of the major departments of state.

43
Q

In what instances have select committees also been set up?

A

To look at specific policy commitments, such as H52.

44
Q

What is the membership of a select committee normally?

A

11.

45
Q

Why do select committees differ from public committees?

A

Select committees are non-partisan.
Public committees are partisan.

46
Q

Why are select committees non-partisan?

A

Each political party votes on the membership, rather than being chosen by the whips.
The chair is voted on by MPs as a whole.

47
Q

Why are chairs of select committees elected?

A

They have cross-party support, and likely also have some prior experience to scrutinise the department of state.

48
Q

What is the liaison committee?

A

Represents the chairs of all the select committees and questions the
PM (usually) three times a year.

49
Q

Why is the liaison committee often better than
PMOT?

A

It’s form of questioning is far less confrontational and its form of questioning allows greater opportunities for extended discussion.

50
Q

How should MPs balance their voting in the
Commons?

A

They should find a balance between demands of the party whips, constituents and their conscience.

51
Q

What is the Salisbury Convention?

A

Since the Lords cannot claim democratic legitimacy, the Lords will not seek to stop legislation that was in the governing parties manifesto.

52
Q

Why is the Lords unable to stop bills that have passed in the Commons?

A

As a non-elected chamber, and in accordance with the Salisbury Convention, the Lords is unable to stop bills passed in the Commons.

53
Q

Why do the Lords play an important part in the legislative process?

A

The life peers possess important roles in the legislative process.

54
Q

Why does the large number of crossbench Lords serve as a benefit for legislation?

A

They are not influenced by the dictates of the whips, and can vote with their conscience and expertise.

55
Q

How does the Lords scrutinise the work of
government?

A

Via committees and oral questions to ministers.

56
Q

What do committees in the Lords focus on?

A

Major political issues such as:
* The EU Committee
* Science and Technology Committee
* International Relations Committee etc.

57
Q

What are the 3 influences of parliament?

A

• Political influence
• Public opinion/media
•Pressure groups/ lobbyists

58
Q

What are the advantages of influences on law making?

A
59
Q

What are the disadvantages of influences on law making?

A
60
Q

What are the disadvantages of influences on law making?

A

pg. 169

61
Q

Does the Commons have the right to defeat a
Bil?

A

Yes.
It has the sole right to defeat a Bill.

62
Q

Why does the Commons possess the right to dismiss a government?

A

If they lose a vote of no confidence, the legitimacy of the government derives from the consent of Parliament.

63
Q

What advantages do the Lords have over the
Commons?

A

Lords do not have constituencies to represent so they can devote more time to scrutiny.
They are not elected, so they are not bound by their parties manifesto.
The large number of cross benchers makes it difficult for the government to dominate the Lords.

64
Q

What are the functions and powers of the
Commons?

A

• Represents the nation
• Can dismiss the government
• Must agree to the Budget
• Legitimises important decisions
• The executive requires the consent of the Commons for legislation
• Scrutinises legislation in parliamentary debate
• Commons select committees monitor the work of government departments

65
Q

What are the functions and powers of the
Lords?

A

• Can delay legislation for one session
• Revising chamber to scrutinise work of the Commons
• The Lords can protect civil liberties by not allowing governments to extend life of Parliament beyond 5 vears

66
Q

What is a legislative bill?

A

A proposed piece of legislation which can be introduced in either the Commons or Lords.
If it passes both houses, it receives Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament.

67
Q

How can private member’s bills be introduced to the House?

A

• Ballot
• Ten Minute Rule
• Presentation

68
Q

What has the effect of the private member’s bill been?

A

Very little as very few have become law.
There is little influence of backbenchers as a result.

69
Q

How can hostile MPs get a private member’s bill out?

A

They can filibuster.

70
Q

What is filibustering?

A

Deliberately wasting time by giving unnecessarily long speeches or drawn out points.

71
Q

Why are many MPs not present for private member’s bills?

A

Many MPs return to their constituents on a
Friday.

72
Q

What is the real impact of private member’s bills?

A

They raise the profile of a particular issue rather than changing the
aw.

73
Q

How can a private member’s bill have a realistic chance of becoming law?

A

Bills that have cross-party support that the government looks favourably upon.

74
Q

What recent private member’s bills have become law?

A

The International Development (Gender
Equality) Act 2014.

75
Q

What is one of the most significant private member’s bills?

A

The House of Lords Reform Act 2014.
It made it possible for members of the Hol to resign / retire.
Allowed peers to be expelled from the Lords for criminal activity or non-attendance.

76
Q

What are the stages of a bill through
Parliament?

A

First Reading
Second Reading
Committee Stage
Report Stage
Third Reading / Transfer
Royal Assent

77
Q

What does the First Reading consist of?

A

The Bill is formally presented to Parliament by the relevant minister.

78
Q

What does the Second Reading consist of?

A

The main principles of the Bill are debated.
The government front bench introduces the Bill, and the opposition front bench and backbenchers then debate the Bill.
(Almost all Bills get through this stage by government)

79
Q

What does the Committee Stage consist of?

A

The Bill is then considered by a Public Bill Committee, or by the whole
HoL if it began there.
Amendments are now proposed to the Bill.
The budget and Bills of constitutional significance are scrutinised by a
Committee of the Whole House.

80
Q

What does the Report Stage consist of?

A

The bill, and any amendments are now debated and votes are taken upon them.

81
Q

What does the Third Reading / Transfer consist of?

A

The amended bill will be further debated before being transferred to the other house, where it goes through the same stages.

82
Q

What does Royal Assent consist of?

A

Once a Bill is passed by both houses, it receives the Royal Assent becoming an Act of Parliament.
If the Lords refuses support of a Bill, the Commons can overrule.

83
Q

What are backbenchers?

A

Members of the Commons and Lords who are not members of either the government front bench or opposition front bench.
They are not bound by collective ministerial responsibility and so are more independent, but are still expected to obey the party whip.

84
Q

What are the main roles of backbench MPs?

A

Represent the interests of their constituents.
• Scrutinise the work of government.
• Consider the merits of legislation.
• Legitimise government decisions.
• Take issues they regard as significant.

85
Q

How can MPs represent the interests of their constituents at Parliament?

A

They can ask questions in the chamber and question ministers on their behalf.

86
Q

How did the Backbench Business Committee increase the power of backbenchers?

A

They can control parliamentary business for 35 days a year.
MPs can raise any question for debate with the committee.

87
Q

What is the Petitions Committee?

A

The committee that scheduled debates on petitions.
(Mostly e-petitions that have reached 100,000 signatures.)

88
Q

What actually determines how powerful backbenchers are per Parliament?

A

Governments with massive majorities can survive large rebellions by backbenchers, so they do not need to worry about the backbenchers as much.
Governments with small or no majorities are incredibly reliant on backbenchers for legislation.

89
Q

Do backbenchers play an important role in the
Commons? (Yes)

A

• Select committees scrutinise work of government departments.
• The Liaison Committee holds the PM accountable for policy development and implementation.
• ‘Redress of Grievance’
• MPs can raise public awareness of issues.
• Private Member’s Bills.
• Backbench Business Committee.
• MPs can dismiss the executive with a vote of no-confidence.
• Public Bill Committee amendments.
• Legitimising role.
• Backbenchers are not bound by collective ministerial responsibility so they can oppose government whips.
*

90
Q

Do backbenchers play an important role in the
Commons? (No)

A

• The government can ignore the advice of select committees.
• MPs are expected to obey the party whip.
• A vote of no confidence can only be called in exceptional
circumstances.
• Public Bill Committees are whipped and so opposition amendments are unlikely to be accepted.
• Most Private Member’s Bills fail.
• The government still dominates Parliamentary Agenda.
• The government’s increasing usage of secondary (delegated)
legislation to change laws has negatively impacted MPs legislative function.
• MPs are increasingly expected to represent their local party rather than their own conscience.
• If the government has a large parliamentary majority, it can survive backbench rebellion.

91
Q

What is the opposition?

A

The second-largest party in the Commons.

92
Q

What is the ‘redress of grievances’?

A

The right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one’s government, without fear of punishment or reprisals.

93
Q

Why is the opposition important in British
Politics?

A

Ensures the government is held to account.
Gives the electorate a different choice other than the government.

94
Q

What should the opposition do?

A

• Ensure that the government justifies its legislative programme.
• Create a public debate by providing reasoned arguments.
• Provide an alternative government-in-waiting.
• Use front bench spokespeople to expose failures of policy implementation.
• The PMQT should allow the opposition leader to present himself as the PM-in-waiting.

95
Q

How can opposition parties ensure they achieve their obiectives?

A

• 20 opposition days are given to opposition parties to choose the subjects for debate.
• At Public Bill Committees, opposition MPs can scrutinise proposed government legislation.
• Shadow Ministers expose mistakes and failures of their opposition roles in government.
• With small majorities, the opposition can work with the Lords to
uncover governmental failures.
• During Parliamentary debate, the opposition forces the government to justify its policies.

96
Q

What are ministerial questions?

A

When the executive is sitting in the Commons, they can be held accountable for government policy via questioning.

97
Q

How long per day is given to oral questions ministers in the Commons?

A

One hour per day from Monday to Thursday.

98
Q

How long per day is given to oral questions to ministers in the Lords?

A

30 minutes, Monday to Thursday.
Although, questions are directed to the government rather than to a specific department.

99
Q

How long are ministers given to respond to written questions?

A

One week if asked in the Commons.
Two weeks if asked in the Lords.

100
Q

When is the PM expected to attend the
Commons?

A

Every Wednesday from 12:00 to 12:30.

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