Parliament

Question 1

Legislation

Answer 1

• Has 3 readings in the Commons
• Goes to PBC
• Goes to Lords (amendments can be added)
• Same-sex marriage act 2013, Investigatory powers act 2016
• PBCs vote on party lines
• MPs vote on party lines
• Less primary legislation is used now

Question 2

Scrutiny and Debate

Answer 2

• PBBBC allows backbencher to take control of business and arrange debates on neglected issues (BLM)
• Petitions Committee - if a petition reaches 100000 signatures, it must be debated (MR)
• Adjournment debates take place at the end of each days sitting for 30 mins to ask questions to ministers
• Early Day Motions are introduced by MPs to urge a specific debate
• Emergency debates- MP has 3 mins to make their case
• Urgent Qs - MP can apply to speaker to raise an issue

Question 3

Representation

Answer 3

• MP should represent their constituencies
• Not reflective of UK’s social configuration
• Burkean Principle
• Tony Blair went to priv school

Question 4

(Lords) Legislation

Answer 4

• Can be introduced but not very democratic
• Examined by Lords and amendments
• Commons don’t have to accept Lords advice
• Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949
• GO cutting tax credits was defeated in the Lords and he dropped it
• BJ ignored 5 amendments from Lords on Brexit

Question 5

Scrutiny

Answer 5

• Sessional committees and special enquiries
• SC have a specific issue
• SE investigate specific issues for time
• SC example is SLSC which highlights when bills are poorly drawn up
• SC on environment criticised gov for not sticking to carbon reduction targets
• SE did report on gambling
• Joint Lords and Commons committees in human rights and security strategy
• Joint expertise and wild consultation

Question 6

Representation and Legitimation

Answer 6

• Doesn’t have rep role like commons
• Rep spiritual realm and temporal realm through Bishops
• Doesn’t have legitimate role
• Wisdom and experience

Question 7

HOL FUFILS AN IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY ROLE: YES

Answer 7

• expertise means amendments are valuable
• scrutinises statutory instruments
• Raises issues of public interest
• Scrutinises ministers
• Can provide independent opposition if gov dominates

Question 8

HOL FUFILS AN IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY ROLE: NO

Answer 8

• Cannot claim democratic legitimacy so amendments can be ignored
• Only delay bills for a year
• No influence over financial bills
• Salisbury convention
• Little influence in decision making
• Lack of representation undermines parliamentary usefulness
• Commons committees are as strong

Question 9

THE INFLUENCE OF BB MPS HAS INCREASED: YES

Answer 9

• independence of select committees made scrutiny better
• BBBC has provided them with more control
• Petitions Committee
• Liaison Committee
• MPs have to vote on military action
• Speakers have encouraged more UQs
• Delayed May’s EU deal

Question 10

THE INFLUENCE OF BB MPS HAS INCREASED: NO

Answer 10

• SC and LC have no binding power over gov
• Increase of SL has removed MPs legislative function
• MPs voting on military action is only a convention
• UQs do not equal BB power
• Only had influence over EU deals as the PM lacked a majority