Parliament Flashcards
What is the role of parliament?
A legislature. To reflect public opinion and create, amend and repeal laws.
Where does the word parliament come from?
The French “Parler” meaning to talk
What are the two types of parliament?
Uni cameral - eg. Sweden Bicameral - UK
Advantages of bi- cameral
Pluralism
More careful scrutiny of bills
Can slow down bills giving more time for debate
Ensure bills are workable
Disadvantages of bicameral
Slows down government
Total gridlock ( Obama 1st term)
In UK second chamber are unelected
Can have a biased stance- stacked in governments favour
What is a bill?
A proposal for a new law
Example of private members bills?
Abortion act 1967 David Steele
Stages for government bills?
First reading- no vote Second reading- debate followed by vote Select committee Report stage 3rd reading- vote
Work of the Lords?
Consideration of bills
Initiating non- controversial bills
Power delay
Holding of debates- less yahoo
When was the HOL reform bill and what were the changes wanted?
2012- move to stages to a more elected house
Reduced number of spiritual peers
What is there in the HOL?
Opposition benches
Government benches
Cross benches
Bishops benches
How many members in the HOL?
Approx 700
The house should be reformed?
Non democratic- unelected
Unrepresentative- CofE only, 17% women, 3.5% ethnic minorities
PM appoints lords- Cameron considering 100 new Tory lords following tax credits defeat & Tony’s cronies- half the house
Maury poll 2012 majority of supporters of 3 main parties want reform
Is smaller house the answer?
The house shouldn’t be reformed?
Carful scrutiny- free from whips, less adversarial, experts, against “tyranny of the majority” JS mill
Social Darwinism- John Major
Chamber has been effective- tax credits
Why would you duplicate a problematic house?
Role of commons?
Creating and passing new legislation.
Controlling and raising public expenditure
Scrutinise the executive
Represent the people
Role of Speaker
Control the house
Ensures everyone is heard- bobbing
Speaking has the casting vote when tied
Female representation in the HOC?
More men in the house now that there has ever been women.
Representation of graduates in HOC?
25% Oxbridge
75% graduates
Why less women in HOC?
Sexist behaviour- Lovdndinski 2004- page 199 “rogering” “melons”
Backed up by Sarah champion 2014
It matters that parliament is unrepresentative?
Representative democracy
Alternative participation- student riots, low turnout ethnic minorities
Lack of female role models
Sexist behaviour in house
It doesn’t matter that house is unrepresentative
You don’t have to be part of a minority to represent them- clement Attlee, George Galloway, gay marriage legalised 17 LGBT MP’s
Generalisation of minorities
Ability is most important
Mandate theory- people shouldn’t vote based on MP’s background
Meaning of sovereignty?
The ultimate authority
Constraints on parliament?
The media
EU
The electorate
Pressure groups- trade unions
Methods to scrutinise government?
Select committees
PMQ’s
UQ’s
20 opposition days
Advantages of Select comittees?
Members may have a specialist field- Sarah Wollaston GP for 20 years
Non politicians may be questioned - Rupert Murdoch phone hacking
Less partisan and more effective
30/40% of recommendations become policy
Disadvantage of Select comittees?
Small budget- only chair gets paid
Low profile
Represents make up of the house
Don’t Comment on upcoming legislation
John Major quote(2000)
The House of Commons is seen as putty in the hands of any government with a secure majority and a good whipping system
Average age of MP?
Following 2010- 50
Minorities in the house?
143 women
27 Ethnic minorities
17 LGBT MP’s
