parliament Flashcards
how are the powers fused?
the executive sits within the legislature
who is the head of government?
PM
who is the head of state?
the monarch
how many MPs are there in Parliament?
650
who are frontbencher MPs?
minister and party officials appointed by PM to senior positions in government, also have a shadow cabinet
what are backbench MPs?
don’t have responsibilities in the government/shadow cabinet
what do backbenchers have nice than frontbenchers?
far more independence
what are backbench MPs often controlled by?
the whips
what are the opposition days?
20 days where the opposition controls party of the parliamentary agenda.
what does it mean to be a ‘government in waiting’?
the official opposition must always be ready to take over if government fails
how does the official opposition hold the government to account?
by examining policy and questioning ministers
in 2020, what did labour put forward on one of its opposition days?
a motion extending free school means through half term. rejected by government, but allowed labour to keep the issue on the agenda and the government later u-turned
what is the official opposition imperative for?
a healthy representative democracy
what can the official opposition be accused of?
constant criticism and ‘point scoring’ without real counter arguments for issues
what are party whips?
enforcers of party line
what is a three line whip?
MPs are told their attendance is essential, and they must vote with their party. defying this is serious and can lead to the whip being removed
what is a two-line whip?
MPs are told attendance is necessary at the votes, expected to attend and vote with their party
what is a one-line whip?
MPs are advised to vote in line with their party. fewer consequences if an MP misses this vote
what is a free vote?
MPs can vote as they wish. typically on moral issues/
what recent vote was a third line whip?
dec 2023 Rwanda Bill second reading vote