Parliament Flashcards
What does Parliament consist of?
- Legislative and executive branch
- House of Commons and House of lords= Bicammeral
- PM and the cabinet
- The Queen
Structure of the House of Commons
Front bencher’s = MPs that are part of the Government 120 or the shadow Government- 20 Cabinet ministers
Back Bencher’s= MPs not in the Government= 650
Structure of the House of Lords
Hereditary peers- 92, Life peers, Bishops (26) = 790
Functions of Parliament
Legislation, Scrutiny, Representation, Recruitment of ministers, legitimacy, deliberation
Explain the Legislative function in the HOC and HOL with an example
HOC: 1st reading- 2nd reading- committee stage- report stage- Third reading- House of lords- Royal assent
- PMBs
- Can make and unmake laws BC of Parliamentary Sovereignty + Uncodified constitutions.
HOL: Can’t make laws but can make recommendations
Example: 2013 same sex marriage passed with majority
2013 Syria vote didn’t pass BC public didn’t want
Weaknesses of the legislative function for HOC and HOL
HOC: Government legislation is focused on and spent the most time on- little time for PMBs and have to be selected. West Lothian questions: Scotland can vote on English specific issues but not vice versa.
HOL: Parliament Act 1949= Can’t comment on or stop Financial bills and can only block bills for a year
Salisbury convention: Can’t restrict the manifesto from passing through parliament
Explain the scrutiny function in the HOC and HOL with an example
Overseeing and examining the work of the executive- ensuring accountability and a good government.
Methods:
-PMQ: once a week Wednesday 12
-Select committees: one per department (19) with expertise
- Oppositions days: days when opposition parties can ask the executive questions.
-Liaison committee: the chairs of all select committees meet twice a year.
Debates: Legislative debate and PMB debate
Weaknesses of the scrutiny function in the HOC and HOL
HOC: Select committees- only 40-50% of the suggestions are used and they dont have no real power, PMQs are less about debate and informing and more about competition and damaging the other person. Party loyalty means that many are afraid to challenge.
HOL: Parliament act 1949, Salisbury convention, Parliamentary sovereignty,
Explain the representation function in the HOC and HOL with an example
HOC: MP- constituency link= MPs are representatives of the electorate. Government derives from HOC= legitimate
HOL: represent their party and expert knoweledge/ background, House of Lords reform 1999= less hereditary peers
Weaknesses of the Representative function
HOC: Women (29%) and Ethnic minorities (6%) under-represented, under representation of smaller parties, Whips or self interest affect MP vote - not always representing constituency
HOL: Not elected so not legitimate or representative, Under representation of women (25%) and ethnic minorities (5%), influenced by whips, Bishops are permanent but no other religions have permanent positions
Explain Recruitment of ministers function
Have to be an MP or Peer- often with expert knowledge
weaknesses of recruitment of ministers function
Used as a reward and can be given if large donations to the party
How to become a peer?
- HOL appointments commission: non political people
- Working peer: Loyal MP
- Dissolution honours: end of a Parliament
- Large donator of the party: Cameron criticised for this
e. g. Lord Farmer donated 7,000,000 to the party
4 options for HOL reform
Abolish the HOL, Fully elected, Partially elected, Stay the same
Arguments for abolishing the HOL
- simpler process
- Easier for the gov- stream line legislation
- cheaper
