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Parliament Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the largest party in the house of commons?

A

Conservative.

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2
Q

What is the largest party in the house of lords?

A

Conservative.

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3
Q

What are the differences between now and the last parliament?

A

The conservatives now have a majority, and labour have lost seats.

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4
Q

How has diversity developed in parliament?

A

First female MP was elected in 1919, First black female MP elected in 1987, First female sikh MP elected in 2017.

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5
Q

How has the balance of power developed in parliament?

A

Control has become more centralised across parties, reducing scope for free thinking.

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6
Q

How has broadcasting developed in parliament?

A

Parliament has been on TV since 1989, is live streamed every day. Increases exposure of MP’s.

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7
Q

How has democracy developed in parliament?

A

Voting rights have been extended to everyone over 18.

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8
Q

How did COVID-19 affect parliament?

A

Parliament had to go online.

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9
Q

How have committees developed in parliament?

A

They provide a place of debate outside the chamber, providing scrutiny to the cabinet.

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10
Q

How do checks and balances affect parliament?

A

Political power lies in the house of commons, as they’re elected.

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11
Q

How has devolution changed parliament?

A

Many laws are decided outside of parliament, but there is still parliamentary sovereignty.

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12
Q

What is the role of the prime minister in parliament?

A

Leader of the largest party, controls business of parliament.

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13
Q

What is the role of the speaker of the house of commons?

A

Chairs debates in the commons, ensures all MP’s have their voices heard. Can suspend MP’s for breaking rules in the commons.

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14
Q

What is the role of the leader of the house of commons?

A

They make sure the government agenda runs smoothly in the commons, sending out business.

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15
Q

What are the whips in charge of?

A

Keeping party discipline the way their leaders want them to.

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16
Q

What is a three line whip?

A

Party leadership expect MP’s to turn up to a vote, and vote a certain way.

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17
Q

What is an example of a chief whip using extreme methods?

A

Gavin Williamson keeping a tarantula in his office.

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18
Q

What does it mean if the whip is withdrawn?

A

An MP is suspended from their party.

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19
Q

What is an example of an MP having the whip withdrawn?

A

Matt Hancock having the whip withdrawn for going on i’m a celebrity.

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20
Q

What is the role of a backbencher?

A

They don’t hold a position in government, but are there to support the government.

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21
Q

What are the three main roles of the whips?

A

Deliver votes for the government, gather knowledge on MP’s to use against them, arrange business in parliament.

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22
Q

What is an example of a backbench rebellion?

A

85 labour MP’s voted against Tony Blair’s government to vote against the iraq war.

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23
Q

What does the speaker act as during debates?

A

An impartial referee.

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24
Q

What have previous speakers been praised for?

A

Lindsay Hoyle - Bipartisanship. John Bercow - Ensuring the government stick to the rules.

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25
Q

How have previous speakers been criticised?

A

Lindsay Hoyle - Not allowing MP’s to tell the truth. John Bercow - Being partisan.

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26
Q

What is another example of a backbench rebellion?

A

40 conservative MP’s didn’t vote with the government on a vote for fracking in England.

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27
Q

What is the Burkean theory of representation?

A

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.

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28
Q

What is an example of the Burkean theory?

A

Gay marriage vote - David cameron voted for the bill, but more conservatives voted against, than voted for.

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29
Q

What are the benefits and drawbacks of the burkean theory?

A

+ - You can find out MP’s real views. - outdated.

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30
Q

What is the delegate theory?

A

Constituents elect representatives to act as a mouthpiece for their views in parliament, and don’t have to do what their party wants.

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31
Q

What is an example of the delegate theory?

A

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.

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32
Q

What are the benefits and drawbacks of the delegate theory?

A

P - Representative of democracy. N - Doesn’t work in practice, as MP’s need some autonomy.

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33
Q

What is the mandate theory?

A

MP’s should act in parliament according to their party’s manifesto, as these were the promises upon which they were elected.

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34
Q

What is an example of the mandate theory?

A

There was no manifesto pledge on the iraq war, so MP’s did mostly what their parties wanted them to do.

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35
Q

What are the benefits and drawbacks of the mandate theory?

A

P - Represents political opinion, as people voted for these policies. N - Assumes that people vote for party, not person.

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36
Q

What is parliamentary privilege?

A

A system in which MP’s are immune to certain parts of the law in the House of Commons.

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37
Q

What are the two parts of parliamentary privilege?

A

Freedom of speech, exclusive cognisance.

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38
Q

What is freedom of speech?

A

MP’s are allowed to debate issues in parliament which could have brought prosecution outside of parliament.

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39
Q

What is exclusive cognisance?

A

Allowing each house to regulate itself.

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40
Q

What is an example of an MP losing their seat, due to breaking the law?

A

Chris Huhne - went to prison for speeding offences.

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41
Q

What is the history behind parliamentary privilege?

A

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.

42
Q

What are the problems with parliamentary privilege?

A

Can be a threat to the rule of law, can be abused in MP’s favour, can disrupt natural law processes.

43
Q

What are the benefits of parliamentary privilege?

A

Means MP’s can speak freely.

44
Q

What are the functions of parliament?

A

Bill, Green Paper, White paper.

45
Q

What is a bill?

A

A proposal of the government, before becoming law.

46
Q

What is a green paper?

A

A government document setting out the issues, and options for legislation.

47
Q

What is white paper?

A

A government document setting out detailed plans for legislation.

48
Q

Why is scrutiny and accountability important for lawmakers?

A

They make sure laws are fit for purpose.

49
Q

How can MP’s ask questions of government minsters?

A

PMQ’s, emergency debates, planned debates.

50
Q

Which stages must a bill pass to become law?

A

First reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, consideration of amendments, royal assent.

51
Q

What are the different types of bill?

A

Ballot Bills, Ten minute rule bills, presentation bills.

52
Q

How does the opposition ensure accountability?

A

PMQ’s, emergency debates, opposition days, select committees, public bill committees, departmental questions.

53
Q

How is accountability changing in the house?

A

More committees are being set up, online petitions are becoming more widespread.

54
Q

How is parliament effective at passing legislation?

A

Any MP or lord can suggest a bill, and every bill starts in the commons or the lords.

55
Q

What is primary legislation?

A

They’re used to describe the main laws of parliament, which must go through the full legislative process.

56
Q

What is secondary legislation?

A

Laws created by ministers under powers given to them by acts of parliament.

57
Q

What is a public bill?

A

Proposed changes to the law which apply to the whole population in general, usually by governmemt.

58
Q

What are examples of public bills?

A

Energy Price act 2022, Coronavirus job retention scheme 2020.

59
Q

What % did each type of bill make up from 2015-2021?

A

Public - 76%. Private - 6.7%. PMB - 16.2%.

60
Q

What is a private bill?

A

Bills which only affect specific individuals or organisations, promoted by organisations.

61
Q

What is a private members’ bill?

A

A bill introduced by a backbencher. They’re difficult to pass, but the purpose is to change the law.

62
Q

What are the examples of private members’ bills?

A

Hunting Trophies bill, seatbelts bill.

63
Q

What are ten minute rule bills?

A

A type of private members’ bill which gives an MP 10 minutes to present their case for a bill.

64
Q

What is an example of a ten minute rule bill?

A

Theresa May - Increasing the maximum sentence for dangerous driving.

65
Q

What is a presentation bill?

A

A type of private members’ bill, introduced without debate.

66
Q

What are the benefits of the way parliament passes laws?

A

Democratic, Thorough, everyone gets a say, legislation can be debated, processes are thought out for emergencies, backbenchers have the opportunity to debate laws.

67
Q

What are the drawbacks of the parliamentary system?

A

unelected element, lengthy, complicated, takes attention away from other things, unfair advantage to government.

68
Q

How do emergency debates improve democracy?

A

They ensure spotlight is put onto the issues which British people are the most affected by.

69
Q

What is an example of an emergency debate?

A

An emergency debate about the economic policies of Liz truss, leading to the sacking of Kwasi kwarteng.

70
Q

How have emergency debates become more common?

A

They’ve become more common since Brexit, meaning backbench scrutiny has increased.

70
Q

What is a Westminster hall debate?

A

A debate with no formal votes, but the opportunity to raise a profile.

70
Q

How many emergency debates were granted between 2017-2019?

A

22.

71
Q

What is PMQ’S?

A

A chance for the opposition and backbench MP’s to ask questions to the prime minister.

72
Q

What are the arguments for PMQ’S?

A

Questions are direct to PM, government doesn’t have absolute power, backbench MP’s put forward questions, anyone can see responses.

73
Q

What are the arguments against PMQ’S?

A

Too easy for PM to dodge question, can become an attack, chaotic, used for soundbites.

74
Q

What is the role of a select committee?

A

To establish enquiries, to gather evidence, to produce reports.

75
Q

What are the examples of select committees?

A

Culture, Health, Foreign Affairs.

76
Q

What are the core tasks of select committees?

A

Hold government to account, Add expertise to the policy making process, investigate reports, represent different parties.

77
Q

Which celebrities have appeared in front on select committees?

A

Rupert Murdoch, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Katie Price.

78
Q

How many hereditary peers are there in the house of lords?

A

90.

79
Q

What did the House of Lords reform act 1999 do?

A

Removed the entitlement of most hereditary peers to sit in the house of lords.

80
Q

How many life peers are there in the house of lords?

A

666.

81
Q

Why are life peers appointed to the house of lords?

A

Because of their expertise, or because of experience of public life.

82
Q

What changes did Nick Clegg promise to make to the house of lords?

A

An elected HOL, a reduced HOL, more legitimate upper house, modernisation of parliament, more people involved in the policy making process.

83
Q

Why did Nick Clegg say he wanted to make these changes?

A

He wanted to bring the house into the 21st century, and enhance democracy.

84
Q

Why did Nick Clegg say the HOL is a mockery?

A

Despite the expertise given the unelected element means it’s not very legitimate.

85
Q

How else has the house of lords been reformed?

A

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.

86
Q

Why should the lords give way to the commons?

A

They’re not elected by the people.

87
Q

What can the house of lords not amend?

A

Money Bills.

88
Q

What are the arguments for House of Lords reform?

A

Unrepresentative of population, hereditary peers, different to other democracies, elected chamber would be more legitimate, cronyism.

89
Q

What are the arguments against House of Lords reform?

A

Most active chamber in the world, provides experience of life outside politics, prevents legislative gridlock, prevents elections, lack of consensus on changes.

90
Q

What are the ways in which the lords hold the commons to account?

A

They have life experience, so they have knowledge and capability, some were former ministers, whips have less power.

91
Q

How is the lords’ power in holding the commons to account limited?

A

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.

92
Q

What can the lords do instead of blocking legislation?

A

Delay bills, or amend them.

93
Q

What does financial privilege mean?

A

States the HOC has control of money bills, and the HOL can’t change or block legislation.

94
Q

When did the HOL break from tradition with money bills?

A

In 2015, when they voted to delay cuts to child benefit, a motion proposed by George Osborne.

95
Q

What does the Salisbury Convention state?

A

The HOL will not oppose the second or third reading of government legislation outlined in a party’s manifesto.

96
Q

How has the House of Lords become more assertive?

A

It has grown on size, there are more hereditary peers, they challenge the government more, the appointment of lords is more party political.

97
Q

What is the role of the opposition?

A

Oppose government, criticise government, seek to replace government.

98
Q

What rights do the opposition have?

A

The right to ensure time is fairly allocated to them, and can ask for urgent questions.

99
Q

What else are the opposition entitled to?

A

Media coverage, and public funding.

100
Q

Why are some members of the opposition appointed to the privy council?

A

They have the right to be kept informed about key developments in the country.

Government of the UK (5 decks)

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