Parliament carries out its functions

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

Evaluate the view that Parliament carries out its functions effectively.

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

• Legislative.
• Representative.
• Scrutiny.

Question 3

Judgement

Answer 3

Parliament does carry out its functions effectively.

Question 4

Weaker argument - legislative

Answer 4

→ Of the over 2,500 PMBs introduced since 2010 only 110 have received royal assent.
→ Changes made to legislation in the Lords is often overturned in the Commons – e.g. the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Question 5

Stronger argument - legislative

Answer 5

→ The use of PMBs means controversial legislation can be passed – PMBs were used for legislation on abortion, the death penalty and homosexual marriage.
→ The BBbC means that issues that don’t concern the government can be discussed – in 2011 a debate was held about the protection of wild animals in circuses – a law was passed in 2019.
→ The FPTP electoral system means that governments are strong and can pass legislation – the Salisbury Convention means the Lords shouldn’t block legislation on the government manifesto.

Question 6

Weaker argument - representative

Answer 6

→ The average age of peer is 69. The average age of an MP is 51.
→ 23% of MPs have been privately educated.
→ Percentage of women in the Commons is 10 percentage points lower than the population (41%).
→ Hereditary peerages are a mechanism which prevent women entering the Lords – passed to the first born son.

Question 7

Stronger argument - representative

Answer 7

→ Ethnic minorities in the Commons 14%, which is relatively representative of the population 17%.
→ The level of LGBTQ+ MPs is higher than the population at 10%.
→ The Lords is able to represent issue and people as they aren’t worried about being held to account at an election; e.g. Lord Adebowale raised issues about drug having chaired the charity Turning Point.

Question 8

Weaker argument - scrutiny

Answer 8

→ Suggestions made by select committees are not binding – government has 60 days to respond but doesn’t have to make changes.
→ Weak opposition leaders can lead to poor scrutiny – e.g. Jeremy Corbyn.
→ Governments with large majorities can ignore the opposition and questioning – e.g. the Thatcher and Blair governments.

Question 9

Stronger argument - scrutiny

Answer 9

→ The suggestions given by select committees are used by government 30-40% of the time.
→ Yvette Cooper’s questioning lead to Amber Rudd’s resignation.
→ The Lords has plenty of time to discuss legislation.
→ PMQs allows the Opposition to question the PM – e.g. Badenoch questioning Starmer about McVitie’s with references to hobnobs and gingernuts.
→ Opposition days are good opportunities to scrutinise government – Labour brought up the Rwanda Bill on their opposition day.