Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

AQA A Level Politics - UK > Parliament > Flashcards

Parliament Flashcards

1
Q

How many MPs

A

650

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are methods that parliament can scrutinise the executive

A

PMQs
Parliamentary debates
Select committees
Vote of no confidence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Advantages of PMQs

A

Publicity for opposition parties

Unwelcome questions

Own party may scrutinise their own party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Good PMQs moment for an opposition member

A

Tony Blair - 1997

“Weak, weak, weak” to John Major

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

PMQs exposing a PMs weakness

A

Brown

“We not only saved the world”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Example of a MP Criticising their own PM at PMQs

A

David Davis - 2022 - during partygate

“In the name of god, go”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Advantages of parliamentary debates

A

Free expression of views

Televised so the public can watch

Opportunity to change how MPs and Peers vote

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Disadvantages of parliamentary debates

A

MPs usually toe the party line

Speeches used to impress leadership

Few votes are changed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Advantages of select committees

A

Less partisan and confrontational than debates in the chamber

Often chaired by the opposition

Can call witnesses from government

Government must respond within 60 days

Reports are often influential

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Example of a select committees being chaired by an opposition MP

A

Yvette Cooper chairs the Home Affairs Select Committee

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Example of a witness being called by a select committee? What happened?

A

Amber Rudd by the Home Affairs Select Committee over the Windrush scandal in 2018

Forced to resign due to inadvertently misleading the committee

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How many days does the government have to respond to a select committee report

A

60

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Example of a select committee report being influential

A

2018 Health Select Committee recommend measures to reduce childhood obesity

New measures within a month - stopped the sale of sweets and fatty snacks at supermarket checkouts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Disadvantages of select committees

A

Governing party has a majority

Witnesses can be evasive

Governments can/do ignore reports

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Example of government ignoring a select committee report

A

2021 rejected most of the recommendations about universal credit - making starter payments instead of waiting 5 weeks

Work and Pensions Select Committee

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Advantages of votes of no confidence

A

Can bring down a government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Example of a vote of no confidence directly bringing down a government

A

Callaghan 1979

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Example of a vote of no confidence indirectly bringing down a government

A

Theresa May - 2019
Boris Johnson - 2022

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Disadvantages of no confidence votes

A

Unlikely to work

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How many opposition days a year

A

20

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are public bills

A

Applicable to all people and organisations

Vast majority

22
Q

What are private bills

A

Usually promoted by organisations to give themselves powers beyond existing laws

Only change the law for specific individuals or organisations

23
Q

Example of a private bill

A

The New Southgate Cemetery Act 2017

24
Q

What are government bills

A

Created and promoted by the government, often to fulfil manifesto promises

25
Q

What are private members bills

A

Independently introduced by backbench MPs or peers

26
Q

How are private members bills usually introduced

A

Ten-minutes rule bill

Selected as one of the 20 ‘winners’ in the annual ballot

27
Q

How many private members bills were successful 2019-2021

A

7

28
Q

Example of a private members bill

A

Abortion act 1967

29
Q

What are the stages of the legislative process

A

First reading
Second reading
Committee stage
Report stage
Third reading
Consideration of amendments
Royal assent

30
Q

What happens at first reading

A

Bill introduced
No debate or vote

31
Q

What happens at second reading

A

Debate, questions and voting

Amendment can be made and voted on

32
Q

Example of government defeat in second reading

A

2017

Voted to give Parliament the final say on the final Brexit deal

309 to 305

33
Q

What happens at the committee stage

A

Go over bill and amendments from second reading

Major changes rare (gov majority)

34
Q

What happens at the report stage

A

Committee changes are discussed and voted on

Last chance for amendments

35
Q

What happens at third reading

A

Short debate

No changes

Final vote

36
Q

What do Public Bill Committees do

A

Go through bills clause by clause, debate and suggest amendments

Temporary

37
Q

What do Commons Select Committees do

A

Oversight on the workings of government

Less partisan

Many chaired by opposition backbenchers

Witnesses

38
Q

What do Lords Select Committees do

A

Investigate specialist subjects (Lords expertise and greater time used)

39
Q

What does the Public Accounts Committee do

A

Traditionally chaired by an experience opposition backbencher

Scrutinises the value for money in public spending and how well/efficiently the government delivers public services

40
Q

What does the Backbench Business Committee do

A

Selects topic for debate on days not given over to government business

Oversee e-petitions

41
Q

What does the Commons Liaison Committee do

A

Comprises all the chairs of the Commons select committees

Usually chaired by an independently minded backbencher of the governing party

Chooses select committee reports for debate

Questions the PM - usually 3 times a year on public policy

42
Q

Example of someone refusing to appear before a select committee

A

Mark Zuckerburg in 2018

Committee was investigating false news

43
Q

Who chairs the Public Accounts Committee

A

Meg Hillier - Labour MP

44
Q

Example of a PM not going to the Commons Liaison Committee

A

Boris Johnson 2019

Postponed his appearance twice cancelling his third

45
Q

What percentage of committee recommendations are accepted by government

A

40%

46
Q

How many recommendations for major policy changes succeed

A

1/3

47
Q

What is the role of the opposition

A

Provide scrutiny of government policy
Suggest amendments
Argue for alternatives
Provide a ‘government in waiting’
Nominate topics for debate on 20 days

48
Q

How many opposition days go to the official opposition

A

17

49
Q

How many opposition days go to the third largest party

A

3

50
Q

What is a three-line whip

A

When MPs must turn up and vote the way their leaders wish

51
Q

What is a free vote

A

MPs are free to vote how they wish

52
Q

How are select committee chairs and memberships chosen

A

Secret ballot of MPs

AQA A Level Politics - UK (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions