Parliament Examples Flashcards
Example of question to minister
Fiona Bruce asked the Foreign Secretary to ask for his assessment on how much religious freedom there is in North Korea
Examples of representation
Proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow in 2009-10, the relevant MPS from constituencies in the Thames Valley actively opposed the plans or sought to change the details of those plans
Example of MPs vetoing government legislation
In 2006 when the Commons rejected government plans plans to extend the period during which terrorist suspects could be imprisoned without trial to 90 days
Example of MPs voting to dismiss a government
James Callaghan’s Labour government was removed in March 1979
Example of Lord’s delaying legislation for a year
Hunting with Dogs Act - passed in 2004 and 2005
Number of Conservative Lords
253
Number of Labour Lords
201
Number of Liberal Democrat Lords
102
Example of the HoL forcing the government to drop a bill
Political Parties and Elections Bill 2009
Example of HoL leading to amendment
Equality Bill 2010
The Lords carried an amendment excluding the Church of England from the terms of the new Act designed to end discrimination. The amendment was accepted
Example of private members’ legislation
2007 Forced marriages act
Abortion Act 1967
Example of failed private members’ legislation
Conservative MP Douglas Carswell put forward a Bill to repeal the European Communities Act 1972.
Example of failed opposition
MPs voted in favour of election 2017 by margin of 509
How many Lords are there in the House of Lords
800
Strengths of the HoL
Govt. doesn’t have majority in the Lords
Peers are more independent -
Peers with party allegiance aren’t whipped
Most peers have experience
How many constituents does the average MP have to represent
Average MP has to represent 70,000 constituents
Example of hereditary peer who was removed in 1997
Lord Remnant
Example of hereditary peer
Lord Addington
Example of when the Lords has been strong
1997-2005, Labour had huge majorities: HoL more obstructive than normal
Example of a rebel backbencher
Jeremy Corbyn - voted against govt. 428 times - most disloyal mp
The Lib Dems were in government even though Labour won _____ more seats than them
201
Average govt. defeats per annum from 1979 - 97 under conservatives before reform
13
Average govt. defeats per annum from 1997-2009 following reform under labour
43
Example of conservative donor appointed to Lords
Andrew Fraser gave the Lords £2.5M and was then made a peer
How many peers were representing the coalition in 2010
311
Example of a Lord with expertise
Lord Rees of Ludlow - astrophysicist
How many UKIP peers
3
Which act states that the HoL can only block legislation for a year
1949
Example of a lord who is not accountable (any lord)
Lord Coe represents the conservatives and is not accountable to the electorate
Example of a legislative committee
High Speed Rail Bill Select Committees - Scrutinise bill to create Hs2
Example of a departmental select committee
Home Affairs Select Committee
- Chaired by Yvette Cooper (Labour)
Jan 2017: Questioned Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, on implications of UK leaving the EU
Example for Public Accounts Committee
Chaired by Meg Hillier (Lab)
April 2017 - Published report highlighting problem of UK’s overseas aid donations being used for corrupt purposes in recipient countries
Example for Standard and Privileges committees
Investigates expenses claims made by MPs during the parliamentary expenses scandal 2009
Example for statutory instruments committee
Was chaired by Derik Twigg (Lab)
April 2017 - Produced report highlighting legislation created by HMRC on savings accounts
Example for European Scrutiny Committee
Was chaired by Sir William Cash (Con)
Feb 2017 - Published report on future of EU digital laws post - Brexit
Example for Liaison Committee
Was chaired by Sir Kevin Barron (Con)
Last questioned PM (May) in Dec 2016, on exiting the EU and health and social care spending
Example of a life peer
Lord Sugar
Example of a hereditary peer
Lord Elton
Example of a bishop
Bishop of London
Example of a conservative peer
Lord Coe
Example of a labour peer
Baroness Blood
Example of a Lib Dem peer
Lord Razzal
Example of a crossbencher peer
Lord Crisp
Example of a female peer
Baroness Bradey
Example of an mp of a minor party
Lord Wigley - Plaid Cymru
Example of Lords amendment
Proposals to introduce top-up tuition fees for university students in 2003-04
Example of Lords’ hostile suggestion for amendments in the hope that constant obstruction will force the govt. to compromise
Anti-Terrorism Act 2004-05
Example of a great Lords debate
Abortion
