parliament - commons Flashcards
Parliament
British legislature made up of the House of Commons, lords, and the monarch
salisbury convention
convention where the House of Lords does not delay or block legislation that comes from the governing party manifesto
parliamentary privilege
right of MPs or Lords to make certain statements, within parliament, without facing legal prosecution
legislative bills
proposed laws passing through parliament
public bill committee
committees responsible for looking at bills in detail
backbenchers
MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office
select committees
committee responsible for scrutinising the work of government, particularly of individual government department
opposition
MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party or parties
how many MPs are in Parliament?
650 MPs
What is the role of an MP?
- represent their constituents
- redress of grievances
- debate legislation and issues
- legitimise legislation through scrutiny and by voting for it
What is the role of a frontbencher MP?
- ministers and party officials appointed by PM to senior positions in the governing party
-tend to dominate proceedings in Parliament
What is the role of Backbench MPs?
- majority in all parties
- have more independence to criticise their party and vote against bills - they are still expected to have party loyalty
- focus more on parliamentary business
why are backbench MPs an important challenge to government power?
they are more likely to rebel
what is the official opposition?
second largest party in the commons.
what are the opposition days?
official opposition controls the parliamentary agenda for 20 days
why did the opposition have a stronger role under May?
- it was a minority government
- gov had to rely on other parties for policy initiatives which gave the opposition genuine impact on policy
led to chaos in parliament - gov suffered major defeats and narrowly passed a vote of no confidence
what is the traditional role of the opposition?
- scrutinise and check the government policy and bills
- provide alternatives to policy it disagreed with
what is the significance of the official opposition?
- imperative for a healthy democracy
- can have strong impact on minority gov
- can be accused of criticism and point scoring
- morale can suffer if party has been in opposition for long
what are party whips?
enforcers of party loyalty
what is a three line whip?
MPs attendance is essential snd they must vote with their party, defying this can result in the whip being removed
what is a two line whip?
MPs attendance is necessary, expected to attend and vote in line with party
what is a one line whip?
MPs attendance is advised to vote in line with their party
what is a free vote?
MPs can vote as they wish
what are the consequences if an MP disobeys the whip?
- fewer chances for promotion
- unpopular duties in parliament
- whip being removed
why is the job of a whip harder in coalition or minority government?
power lies with backbenchers rather than the government
example of conservative whip using their power?
Simon Har removed the whip from MP Andrew Bridges for comparing Covid to the Holocaust in January 2023
example of labour whip using their power?
Alan Campbell removed whip from Christina Rees for bullying in October 2022
example of an SNP whip using their power?
Brendon o’Hara removed whip from Patrick Grady for sexual harassment allegations in June 2022
what is the role of the speaker?
- expected to be non-partisan
- organise business of parliament
- maintain order and discipline
- announce results of votes
Who is the current (may 2023) speaker of the commons?
Lindsey Hoyle Labour MP for Chorley
