Parliament Flashcards
What is the largest party in the house of commons?
Conservative.
What is the largest party in the house of lords?
Conservative.
What are the differences between now and the last parliament?
The conservatives now have a majority, and labour have lost seats.
How has diversity developed in parliament?
First female MP was elected in 1919, First black female MP elected in 1987, First female sikh MP elected in 2017.
How has the balance of power developed in parliament?
Control has become more centralised across parties, reducing scope for free thinking.
How has broadcasting developed in parliament?
Parliament has been on TV since 1989, is live streamed every day. Increases exposure of MP’s.
How has democracy developed in parliament?
Voting rights have been extended to everyone over 18.
How did COVID-19 affect parliament?
Parliament had to go online.
How have committees developed in parliament?
They provide a place of debate outside the chamber, providing scrutiny to the cabinet.
How do checks and balances affect parliament?
Political power lies in the house of commons, as they’re elected.
How has devolution changed parliament?
Many laws are decided outside of parliament, but there is still parliamentary sovereignty.
What is the role of the prime minister in parliament?
Leader of the largest party, controls business of parliament.
What is the role of the speaker of the house of commons?
Chairs debates in the commons, ensures all MP’s have their voices heard. Can suspend MP’s for breaking rules in the commons.
What is the role of the leader of the house of commons?
They make sure the government agenda runs smoothly in the commons, sending out business.
What are the whips in charge of?
Keeping party discipline the way their leaders want them to.
What is a three line whip?
Party leadership expect MP’s to turn up to a vote, and vote a certain way.
What is an example of a chief whip using extreme methods?
Gavin Williamson keeping a tarantula in his office.
What does it mean if the whip is withdrawn?
An MP is suspended from their party.
What is an example of an MP having the whip withdrawn?
Matt Hancock having the whip withdrawn for going on i’m a celebrity.
What is the role of a backbencher?
They don’t hold a position in government, but are there to support the government.
What are the three main roles of the whips?
Deliver votes for the government, gather knowledge on MP’s to use against them, arrange business in parliament.
What is an example of a backbench rebellion?
85 labour MP’s voted against Tony Blair’s government to vote against the iraq war.
What does the speaker act as during debates?
An impartial referee.
What have previous speakers been praised for?
Lindsay Hoyle - Bipartisanship. John Bercow - Ensuring the government stick to the rules.
How have previous speakers been criticised?
Lindsay Hoyle - Not allowing MP’s to tell the truth. John Bercow - Being partisan.
What is another example of a backbench rebellion?
40 conservative MP’s didn’t vote with the government on a vote for fracking in England.
What is the Burkean theory of representation?
States that MP’s don’t have to vote, as the majority of constituents want, as they can use their better judgement, through knowledge and experience.
What is an example of the Burkean theory?
Gay marriage vote - David cameron voted for the bill, but more conservatives voted against, than voted for.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the burkean theory?
+ - You can find out MP’s real views. - outdated.
What is the delegate theory?
Constituents elect representatives to act as a mouthpiece for their views in parliament, and don’t have to do what their party wants.
What is an example of the delegate theory?
Zac Goldsmith said he would resign if the government supported a motion to build a third runway at Heathrow airport, as his constituency is on the flight path.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the delegate theory?
P - Representative of democracy. N - Doesn’t work in practice, as MP’s need some autonomy.
What is the mandate theory?
MP’s should act in parliament according to their party’s manifesto, as these were the promises upon which they were elected.
What is an example of the mandate theory?
There was no manifesto pledge on the iraq war, so MP’s did mostly what their parties wanted them to do.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the mandate theory?
P - Represents political opinion, as people voted for these policies. N - Assumes that people vote for party, not person.
What is parliamentary privilege?
A system in which MP’s are immune to certain parts of the law in the House of Commons.
What are the two parts of parliamentary privilege?
Freedom of speech, exclusive cognisance.
What is freedom of speech?
MP’s are allowed to debate issues in parliament which could have brought prosecution outside of parliament.
What is exclusive cognisance?
Allowing each house to regulate itself.
What is an example of an MP losing their seat, due to breaking the law?
Chris Huhne - went to prison for speeding offences.
What is the history behind parliamentary privilege?
It dates back to the bill of rights 1689, established the rights of parliament as a body, states that freedom of speech shouldn’t be questioned.
What are the problems with parliamentary privilege?
Can be a threat to the rule of law, can be abused in MP’s favour, can disrupt natural law processes.
What are the benefits of parliamentary privilege?
Means MP’s can speak freely.
What are the functions of parliament?
Bill, Green Paper, White paper.
What is a bill?
A proposal of the government, before becoming law.
What is a green paper?
A government document setting out the issues, and options for legislation.
What is white paper?
A government document setting out detailed plans for legislation.
Why is scrutiny and accountability important for lawmakers?
They make sure laws are fit for purpose.
How can MP’s ask questions of government minsters?
PMQ’s, emergency debates, planned debates.
Which stages must a bill pass to become law?
First reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, consideration of amendments, royal assent.
What are the different types of bill?
Ballot Bills, Ten minute rule bills, presentation bills.
How does the opposition ensure accountability?
PMQ’s, emergency debates, opposition days, select committees, public bill committees, departmental questions.
How is accountability changing in the house?
More committees are being set up, online petitions are becoming more widespread.
How is parliament effective at passing legislation?
Any MP or lord can suggest a bill, and every bill starts in the commons or the lords.
What is primary legislation?
They’re used to describe the main laws of parliament, which must go through the full legislative process.
What is secondary legislation?
Laws created by ministers under powers given to them by acts of parliament.
What is a public bill?
Proposed changes to the law which apply to the whole population in general, usually by governmemt.
What are examples of public bills?
Energy Price act 2022, Coronavirus job retention scheme 2020.
What % did each type of bill make up from 2015-2021?
Public - 76%. Private - 6.7%. PMB - 16.2%.
What is a private bill?
Bills which only affect specific individuals or organisations, promoted by organisations.
What is a private members’ bill?
A bill introduced by a backbencher. They’re difficult to pass, but the purpose is to change the law.
What are the examples of private members’ bills?
Hunting Trophies bill, seatbelts bill.
What are ten minute rule bills?
A type of private members’ bill which gives an MP 10 minutes to present their case for a bill.
What is an example of a ten minute rule bill?
Theresa May - Increasing the maximum sentence for dangerous driving.
What is a presentation bill?
A type of private members’ bill, introduced without debate.
What are the benefits of the way parliament passes laws?
Democratic, Thorough, everyone gets a say, legislation can be debated, processes are thought out for emergencies, backbenchers have the opportunity to debate laws.
What are the drawbacks of the parliamentary system?
unelected element, lengthy, complicated, takes attention away from other things, unfair advantage to government.
How do emergency debates improve democracy?
They ensure spotlight is put onto the issues which British people are the most affected by.
What is an example of an emergency debate?
An emergency debate about the economic policies of Liz truss, leading to the sacking of Kwasi kwarteng.
How have emergency debates become more common?
They’ve become more common since Brexit, meaning backbench scrutiny has increased.
What is a Westminster hall debate?
A debate with no formal votes, but the opportunity to raise a profile.
How many emergency debates were granted between 2017-2019?
22.
What is PMQ’S?
A chance for the opposition and backbench MP’s to ask questions to the prime minister.
What are the arguments for PMQ’S?
Questions are direct to PM, government doesn’t have absolute power, backbench MP’s put forward questions, anyone can see responses.
What are the arguments against PMQ’S?
Too easy for PM to dodge question, can become an attack, chaotic, used for soundbites.
What is the role of a select committee?
To establish enquiries, to gather evidence, to produce reports.
What are the examples of select committees?
Culture, Health, Foreign Affairs.
What are the core tasks of select committees?
Hold government to account, Add expertise to the policy making process, investigate reports, represent different parties.
Which celebrities have appeared in front on select committees?
Rupert Murdoch, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Katie Price.
How many hereditary peers are there in the house of lords?
90.
What did the House of Lords reform act 1999 do?
Removed the entitlement of most hereditary peers to sit in the house of lords.
How many life peers are there in the house of lords?
666.
Why are life peers appointed to the house of lords?
Because of their expertise, or because of experience of public life.
What changes did Nick Clegg promise to make to the house of lords?
An elected HOL, a reduced HOL, more legitimate upper house, modernisation of parliament, more people involved in the policy making process.
Why did Nick Clegg say he wanted to make these changes?
He wanted to bring the house into the 21st century, and enhance democracy.
Why did Nick Clegg say the HOL is a mockery?
Despite the expertise given the unelected element means it’s not very legitimate.
How else has the house of lords been reformed?
HOL reform act 1999, HOL reform act 2014 - gave peers the opportunity to resign or be fired. 2015 - allowed to be convicted of serious offences.
Why should the lords give way to the commons?
They’re not elected by the people.
What can the house of lords not amend?
Money Bills.
What are the arguments for House of Lords reform?
Unrepresentative of population, hereditary peers, different to other democracies, elected chamber would be more legitimate, cronyism.
What are the arguments against House of Lords reform?
Most active chamber in the world, provides experience of life outside politics, prevents legislative gridlock, prevents elections, lack of consensus on changes.
What are the ways in which the lords hold the commons to account?
They have life experience, so they have knowledge and capability, some were former ministers, whips have less power.
How is the lords’ power in holding the commons to account limited?
Parliamentary sessions are only a year, so it’s difficult to block, not entirely credible, some political alignment, they have to give way to the commons.
What can the lords do instead of blocking legislation?
Delay bills, or amend them.
What does financial privilege mean?
States the HOC has control of money bills, and the HOL can’t change or block legislation.
When did the HOL break from tradition with money bills?
In 2015, when they voted to delay cuts to child benefit, a motion proposed by George Osborne.
What does the Salisbury Convention state?
The HOL will not oppose the second or third reading of government legislation outlined in a party’s manifesto.
How has the House of Lords become more assertive?
It has grown on size, there are more hereditary peers, they challenge the government more, the appointment of lords is more party political.
What is the role of the opposition?
Oppose government, criticise government, seek to replace government.
What rights do the opposition have?
The right to ensure time is fairly allocated to them, and can ask for urgent questions.
What else are the opposition entitled to?
Media coverage, and public funding.
Why are some members of the opposition appointed to the privy council?
They have the right to be kept informed about key developments in the country.
