Parliament Flashcards
Agree that the principal role of backbenchers is to hold government to account
-Rebellions against party have become more common; breakaway from previous loyalty to party from backbenchers.
-Backbenchers are asserting parliamentary sovereignty; whips have become weaker and MPs are loyal to constituents, not parties.
-Use of select committees and backbench business committee to exert influence.
Evidence of backbenchers’ rebellion against Theresa May.
-1945-1970, there were no gov defeats due to backbench rebellions; recently, eg. May’s government was defeated frequently, particularly over Brexit; 118 Tories rebelled against her January 2019 Brexit deal.
Evidence of backbenchers’ rebellion against Rishi Sunak.
-Tobacco and Vaping Bill 2024 defeated; 57 Tory MPs voted against and 106 abstained or were absent during vote.
-Infected Blood Compensation vote 2024: 22 Tory MPs defied the party line to vote with Labour.
-Criminal Justice Bill controversy 2024: threat of opposition by Tory MPs.
Evidence of backbenchers asserting parliamentary sovereignty.
-Government backs down frequently to avoid defeats
-May backed down over additional grammar schools.
-2024 two child benefit cap: 7 Labour MPs voted for the SNP amendment against the advice of the whip to remove the cap.
Evidence of backbench MPs’ increasing use of select committees.
-Home Affairs select committee 2022- Suella Braverman unable to respond to a question about refugees.
-Privileges Committee 2022-23 investigated partygate and issued a report that Johnson should be suspended from HoC.
-Home Affairs Select Committee 2018- Amber Rudd held to account about Windrush scandals
Evidence of backbench MPs’ increasing use of Backbench Business Committee.
-BB debate held after Grenfell led to fire safety legislation introduced.
-BB debate on free school meals extension during school holidays; gov rejected proposals until Rashford’s campaign.
Disagree that the principal role of backbenchers is to hold government to account
-Brexit was a one-off issue; May’s defeats were abnormal since they were based off an unusual issue.
-There is evidence that government dominance could soon be restored.
-Key role remains in constituencies.
Significance of Brexit and how this impacts idea that backbenchers don’t hold government to account.
-May voted remain, and so was passing a Brexit deal she disagreed with. She had a hung parliament, so formed a minority government with a confidence and supply agreement with the DUP. This made it more difficult to get a Brexit deal passed.
-MPs during Brexit were acting in their own interests and in their constituents’ interests; even opposition was divided.
Evidence that Brexit was an anomaly in terms of backbencher rebellions.
-Sunak faced far less rebellion. The Rwanda Deportation Bill Discontent: 2 Tory deputy chairs spoke in favour of amendments to the Bill, however it ultimately was a key Conservative policy which got passed despite the discontent; backbench rebellions= less significant.
Examples of government dominance under Starmer.
-2 Child Benefit Cap: the 7 rebel MPs lost the whip and were suspended for 6 months; strength of whips.
-MPs expected to oppose Bill- eg. Rushanara Ali - didn’t, showing importance of alignment with party; wanted to tow party line and avoid consequences of the whip.
Examples of government dominance under Johnson.
-2019, 21 Tory MPs had the Whip removed over Brexit dealings, and Phillip Lee even left the party.
Evidence that backbench MPs’ roles remain in constituencies
-John McDonnell (Labour) was a vocal opponent of Heathrow airport expansion due to concerns of disruption in his constituency.
-Jon Trickett (Labour) voted against Starmer’s winter fuel allowance cuts due to him representing a deprived constituency; chose to represent constituency interests.
