Parliament : House Of Commons Flashcards
Composition of house of commons
- 650 mps - number only varies when changes are made to constituencies by the boundary commission
- each mp elected by a single-member parliamentary constituency using first past the post
- mps represent a party and are subject to a system of party discipline
- most mps are backbenchers, the minority (members of gov or shadow cabinets) are frontbenchers
Roles of mps
- Represent constituencies and deal with the grievances of individual constituents
- Scrutinise the government
- Debate legislation and issues of the day
- Legitimise legislation and represent popular consent
Backbencher
MP who does not hold a ministerial or ‘shadow’ ministerial post
Frontbenchers
MP who holds a ministerial or ‘shadow’ ministerial post. Cabinet ministers, members of goc, members of shadow cainet
Difference between backbenchers of governing party and those of opposition
Government backbenchers are not expected to criticise gov too strongly even when the interests of their constituency are an issue - opposition play a prominent part in opposing gov as well as looking after interests of their constituency
Oppurtunities for backbenchers to represent their constituents in the commons
- Questioning ministers
- Participating in debates
- Voting on legislation
- Participating in public and select committees
Main functions of official opposition
- Opposed and criticises policies of gov
2. Presents itself to the electorate as an alternative gov
Privileges of offical opposition
- Leader of official opposition called to PMQs every wednesday and gets more questions than anyone else
- Official opposition mps are on all committees in the commons
- Also given 20 days a year to raise issues for debate
Opposition
MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party/parties
Party whips
Responsible for ensuring that the work of the parliamentary party runs as smoothly as possible
Roles of party whips
- Work with opposition whip to arrange business of the House and send out memos of business to be considered the following week
- Responsible for pairing MPs who with to be absent from the House
- Ensure party leader is aware of feelings of MPs on issues and leg going through parliament and vice versa
- Many incentives and sanctions available and can mae the life of an MP difficult if they are unwoilling to toe the party line
What makes the job of party whips harder?
Minority or coalition government because power lies with the backbenchers not the government - only takes a handful of small backbenchers to rebel for the government to lose a vote - whips have to work hard to ensure that all backbenchers vote with their party
What happens if MPs refuse to comply with the whip’s instructions?
Results in MPs being disciplined or the whip being withdrawn (expelled from the party)
Example of whip expulsion
September 2019, the conservative party withdrew the whip from 21 of its MPs who had not supported the government’s position on the EU withdrawal bill. The chief whip, Mark Spencer, informed rebel MPs that they were no longer entitled to sit as conservative MPs
Pairing
Arrangement between two MPs of opposing parties to not vote in a particular division, enabling an MP to be absent without affecting the result of the vote, as they cancel each other out
Toe the party line
To support and vote with your party even if they disagree with you
Who elects the speaker?
Fellow MPs
Is the speaker part of a party?
They are members of a political party but are expected to act impartially. Their consituency is not contested at election time. The speaker takes no active part in debates in the commons
Role of the speaker
- Calling upon MPs to speak in debates
- Ensuring parties receive their air share of debating time
- Disciplining MPs when they break the rules and procedures of the House
- Announcing the results of votes in the house
- Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie
John Bercow
Speaker of the house of commons 2009-2019
Number of commons mps
650
Male MPs
430
Feamle MPs
220
Ethnic minority MPs
65
