Parliament 2.2 Flashcards
What are the exclusive powers of the House of Commons?
HoC is the more senior house.
Examination and approval of the financial affairs of the government.
Complete veto of legislation in certain circumstances
Dismissal of a government by a vote of no confidence.
Select committee examination of the work of government departments.
Final approval for amendments to legislation.
Financial privilege.
What are the exclusive powers of the House of Lords?
Examining secondary legislation and making recommendations for further consideration.
Delaying primary legislation for up to a year.
Debates about the relative powers of the two houses
There is debate about the legitimacy of the House of Lords because it is an unelected house.
Some argue that Constitutional reform should be made to make the House of Lords an elected and accountable body.
Some debate how effective scrutiny of the government is because MPs are often bound by party unity while the government normally has a majority in the house.
Therefore, the House of Lords should remain unelected as in order to maintain effective scrutiny of government legislation. After all, the purpose of the Lords is not to be an accountable body but to act as a form of evaluating and improving legislation using their expertise.
What is the role of a backbench MP?
To act as a representative of a constituency in Parliament during debates on government business or backbench debates, listening to grievances of constituents.
Voting in divisions.
Scrutinising proposed legislation at committee stage.
Possibly part of a select committee.
Campaigning, lobbying and speaking on behalf of an outside interest or cause.
Criticisms of the quality of the work of a Backbencher.
‘lobby foder’, who are overly influenced by party whips and always loyal to their party rather than to the need of their constituents.
Have little influence over legislation, and fail to bring executive to account as they are bound by party unity.
Parliament debates sparsely attended by backbenchers.
The expenses scandal has less to a general sense of mistrust between constituents and their MP
Although MPs are not at fault for this, the Government controls the time tables so there is little time for Private members Bills giving MPs little opportunity to discuss local issues.
In defence of MPs
There are numerous independent minded MPs who are willing to put their beliefs above their parties. Since 2010, select committees are becoming more effective in calling the government to account.
What is Parliamentary Privilege.
MPs cannot be prosecuted for slander in the Palace of Westminster. Representatives may say what they want without fear of being arrested.
Government cannot interfere in Parliament means that members can feel free to criticise the Government.
What is the role of a departmental select committee?
To scrutinise the work of a governmental departments. They may call witnesses who may be ministers, civil servants and outside witnesses.
