Parliament and creating a bill

Question 1

What is the Northern Ireland protocol?

Answer 1

A law that put in place so that checks for trade between ireland and NI happen at NI ports rather than the Irish border

Question 2

When was the NI Protocol put in place and by who?

Answer 2

1 Jan 2021 by Boris Johnson

Question 3

What is the aim of the Windsor Framework?

Answer 3

to reduce the number of checks at the NI border

Question 4

What is the difference between the 2 lanes introduced at borders under the Windsor Framework?

Answer 4

The green lane is for goods which will remain in NI (these will not need checks)
The red lane is goods being sent to the EU which will continue to have the necessary checks and inspections

Question 5

What is Democratic Deficit?

Answer 5

Before the Windsor Framework, NI (to have access to the EU Single Market) was not only subject to all existing rules and regulations but to future EU rules and regulations too

Question 6

Give a positive of the current electoral system in the UK

Answer 6

Makes for strong parties in power, rather than weak coalitions

Question 7

Give 2 negatives of the current electoral system in the UK

Answer 7

A disadvantage for small parties which will bit be represented in Parliament even though they may have high percentage pf votes nationally

Undemocratic since a party can win a majority of seats without winning a majority of votes

Question 8

What phrase is used to describe the oldest parliament in the world (the UK parliament)?

Answer 8

The Mother of Parliament’s

Question 9

What are the 3 main aspects of parliament?

Answer 9

1. The house of commons
2. The house of lords
3. The monarch

Question 10

What is a bicameral legislature?

Answer 10

a type of legislature that is divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature

Question 11

What is a peer?

Answer 11

any sitting member of the House of Lords. They are divided into hereditary peers (inherited titles, only 92 left) and life peers (chosen by the Government)

Question 12

What are the 7 key functions of parliament?

Answer 12

1. Debating major issues
2. Making law (Legislation)
3. Scrutinising the executive
4. Sustaining government
5. Representation
6. Financial scrutiny
7. Redress of grievances

Question 13

Describe 3 strengths of bicameral legislature

Answer 13

1. Checks and balances
2. Scrutiny
3. Different Interests

Question 14

Describe 3 weaknesses of bicameral legislature

Answer 14

1. Conflict
2. Gridlock
3. Undemocratic

Question 15

How many MP’s are in the House of Commons

Answer 15

650

Question 16

What are used in the House of Commons to ensure discipline?

Answer 16

Each party uses Whips to ensure party discipline and make sure that MPs are present for important votes

Question 17

How do MP’s divide their time?

Answer 17

1. Working in Parliament
2. Working in their local constituency
3. Working for their political party

Question 18

Who makes up the House of Lords?

Answer 18

non-elected peers: hereditary peers, peers appointed for life, high judicial officers such as the Lord Chancellor, archbishops, and bishops of the Church of England

Question 19

How many members of the House of Lords are there?

Answer 19

778

Question 20

True or false: the peers in the House of Commons receive no salary

Answer 20

True. It is not a salaried job but they are paid travel and attendence expenses

Question 21

What is the average age of peers in the House of Lords

Answer 21

70-79

Question 22

What is the title of a peer in the House of Lords who does not belong to a political party?

Answer 22

A crossbencher

Question 23

What is a public bill

Answer 23

Involve a national issue which requires a nationwide law. Usually, the Government will issue a Green Paper which is a consultation to find an expert opinion on how the new law may work; these bills are government’s policy set out in the King’s speech

Question 24

What is a private bill?

Answer 24

Introduced by an MP on a particular issue and can only raise such a bill in Parliament on specific occasions; there are a number of situations in which an MP can raise a bill

Question 25

Describe royal approval in the process of passing a bill

Answer 25

After a bill has completed all the stages in the House of Commons and Lords, the bill is sent to the Monarch to receive approval; once it has been approved by the king, it becomes an act of parliament and passes into law.

Question 26

What happens in the Royal assent law 1961?

Answer 26

When passing a bill, the Monarch doesn’t see the bill and is given a brief summary and title

Question 27

When was the last time a bill wasn’t given royal assent?

Answer 27

1707