Parliament Flashcards

Question

arguements for reform

Answer 1

Arguments for reform: Increased Democratic Legitimacy: Making the Lords elected would address the democratic deficit Reduced Government Patronage: Reform could limit the government's ability to appoint its supporters Improved Scrutiny: An elected or reformed Lords might feel it has a stronger mandate to challenge the Commons

Answer 2

Loss of Expertise: Appointed Lords bring valuable knowledge and experience Potential for Gridlock: An elected Lords could rival the Commons, leading to legislative deadlock Difficulty of Achieving Consensus: There is no clear agreement on what form reform should take ). Examples of Reform Proposals: Hain's White Paper (IMG_0343), various models including fully/partially elected Lords, reducing size, term limits

Answer 3

A bill becomes an Act of Parliament through these stages: House of Commons: First Reading: Formal introduction of the bill ( Second Reading: Debate on the main principles (). Committee Stage: Detailed examination by a Public Bill Committee, amendments can be made (). Report Stage: Consideration of committee amendments by the whole House (). Third Reading: Final debate and vote (). House of Lords: The bill goes through the same stages in the Lords (). The Lords can propose amendments, which the Commons can accept or reject. Royal Assent: The Monarch formally approves the bi

Answer 4

Bills are usually introduced in the House of Commons, but can start in the Lords (except for money bills) (). The bill passes through similar stages in each House (). The Lords can propose amendments to bills (except money bills) (). If the Commons agrees to Lords' amendments, the bill proceeds to Royal Assent. If not, the bill goes back to the Lords, and a "ping pong" process may occur to reach agreement (). The Parliament Acts can be invoked to pass a bill without the Lords' consent in certain circumstances, especially after delays ( .

Answer 5

The Salisbury Convention is a constitutional convention stating that the House of Lords should not reject or significantly delay legislation that was included in the governing party's manifesto (IMG_0342, IMG_0345, IMG_0351). It aims to prevent the unelected Lords from frustrating the will of the elected Commons.

Answer 6

Money Bills are legislation that deals with taxation and government spending The House of Commons has primacy over Money Bills; the House of Lords cannot amend or block them The Parliament Acts reinforce the Commons' power over Money Bills

Answer 7

Parliament passes a large volume of legislation The legislative process allows for scrutiny and amendment of bills ( The Parliament Acts ensure the elected government can ultimately pass its program Arguments against effectiveness: Government dominance can limit effective scrutiny Party discipline can reduce the influence of individual MPs The House of Lords can delay legislation

Answer 8

- Questions: They can use Parliamentary Questions and Urgent Questions to press ministers on specific issues and demand answers, holding the government accountable for its actions and forcing it to provide information - Debates: Participating in debates allows them to voice concerns, scrutinise legislation, and offer alternative perspectives on government policy - Select Committees: As members of select committees, they contribute to detailed inquiries and can hold ministers and officials to account - Rebellion: Voting against their own party (rebellion) demonstrates dissent and can force the government to reconsider its position, especially if the government's majority is small Example: Backbench rebellions over Brexit legislation forced government concessions. - Backbench Business Committee: This committee allows backbenchers to choose topics for debate, giving them some control over the parliamentary agenda and the opportunity to raise issues of concern (IMG_0357). Parliamentary Privilege: This is fundamental to backbenchers' ability to challenge the executive effectively. It grants them freedom of speech within Parliament, meaning they cannot be sued or prosecuted for what they say during parliamentary proceedings (IMG_0347, IMG_0356, IMG_0365). This protection allows them to raise sensitive or critical issues about the government without fear of reprisal. Limitations: Despite these tools, backbench

Answer 9

The government is not obliged to accept their recommendations (IMG_0359, IMG_0362). Government can control information and delay responses (IMG_0359). Media coverage can be limited (IMG_0359, IMG_0362). Chairs are often from the governing party (IMG_0362).

Answer 10

However, their effectiveness is limited by: Party discipline and loyalty (IMG_0340, IMG_0369). Government majorities (IMG_0357). Limited resources (

Answer 11

- House of Lords during the last parliament have given a combined £109m in political donations, almost £50m of which was contributed before they secured their seats & 62% of which went to Conservatives (9.3.25) size - approx 700 members 2000, approx 800 members 2022 - cronyism - On 13 November 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appointed former prime minister David Cameron as foreign secretary. Following this announcement, he joined the House of Lords as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton.

Answer 12

Removed Lords veto power delay 2 yrs

Answer 13

reduce Lords delay power to 1 yr cannot ammend money bills and money bills must receive royal assent within 1 month of being intro. HoL even if not passed in HoL

Answer 14

allowed 92 hereditary peers to remain (reduce hereditary peers)

Answer 15

removal of hereditary peers end of traditional dominance of tories more crossbenchers

Answer 16

^ HoL sense of legitimacy not democratically appointed by appointed by democratic leaders more likely to challenge gov + break Salisbury convention Thatcher 156 Defeats in 11 yrs Cameron 2015-17 92 defeats Con 2019-24 410 defeats in 5 yrs --

Answer 17

pre-reform 1999 -> 40% of peers conservative approx 34% as of 9.03.25