Parliament and creating a bill Flashcards
What is the Northern Ireland protocol?
A law that put in place so that checks for trade between ireland and NI happen at NI ports rather than the Irish border
When was the NI Protocol put in place and by who?
1 Jan 2021 by Boris Johnson
What is the aim of the Windsor Framework?
to reduce the number of checks at the NI border
What is the difference between the 2 lanes introduced at borders under the Windsor Framework?
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
What is Democratic Deficit?
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
Give a positive of the current electoral system in the UK
Makes for strong parties in power, rather than weak coalitions
Give 2 negatives of the current electoral system in the UK
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
What phrase is used to describe the oldest parliament in the world (the UK parliament)?
The Mother of Parliament’s
What are the 3 main aspects of parliament?
- The house of commons
- The house of lords
- The monarch
What is a bicameral legislature?
a type of legislature that is divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature
What is a peer?
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)
What are the 7 key functions of parliament?
- Debating major issues
- Making law (Legislation)
- Scrutinising the executive
- Sustaining government
- Representation
- Financial scrutiny
- Redress of grievances
Describe 3 strengths of bicameral legislature
- Checks and balances
- Scrutiny
- Different Interests
Describe 3 weaknesses of bicameral legislature
- Conflict
- Gridlock
- Undemocratic
How many MP’s are in the House of Commons
650
What are used in the House of Commons to ensure discipline?
Each party uses Whips to ensure party discipline and make sure that MPs are present for important votes
How do MP’s divide their time?
- Working in Parliament
- Working in their local constituency
- Working for their political party
Who makes up the House of Lords?
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
How many members of the House of Lords are there?
778
True or false: the peers in the House of Commons receive no salary
True. It is not a salaried job but they are paid travel and attendence expenses
What is the average age of peers in the House of Lords
70-79
What is the title of a peer in the House of Lords who does not belong to a political party?
A crossbencher
What is a public bill
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
What is a private bill?
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
Describe royal approval in the process of passing a bill
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.
What happens in the Royal assent law 1961?
When passing a bill, the Monarch doesn’t see the bill and is given a brief summary and title
When was the last time a bill wasn’t given royal assent?
1707
