parliament Flashcards
define bicameral system
2 chambers or houses
state a strength of a bicameral system
upper house provides checks and balances providing scrutiny
state a weakness of a bicameral system
may be institutional conflict between 2 houses leading to gridlock
where does the governing party sit in the commons chamber
to the right of the speakers chair
where does the opposition party sit
the benches to the left
what minister and shadow ministers known as
frontbenchers
name a back bencher
diane abotts
name a front bencher
rachel reeves
how much are Mps payed
roughly £90k
what are the two most important parliamentary privileges
freedom of speech
exclusive cognisance
define parliamentary privileges
legal immunity for members of hol and hoc ensures they can carry out parliamentary duties without interference
define exclusive cognisance
right of each house to regulate its own internal affairs without interference from outside bodies
explain the recall of MPs act 2015
after 8 weeks if 10% of eligible electors signed recall petition seat declared vacant, by election scheduled
what do whips ensure
Mps attend votes and approving absences and issue instructions on voting
define 3 line whip
strict instruction to attend and vote to party lines or face disciplinary actions
