Parliament key terms

Question 1

Select committee

Answer 1

A committee responsible for scrutinising the work of the government and each department in detail

Question 2

Backbencher

Answer 2

MPs who are not members of the cabinet or ministers or a shadow minister

Question 3

Fusion of powers

Answer 3

Parliamentary system where executive and legislative branches of government work together

Question 4

Sailsbury convention

Answer 4

The HoL can only delay the passing of a bill for up to 1 year
The HoL doesnt block or delay legislation that was included in the governments party manifesto from when they were elected –> mandate from the people

Question 5

Lords spiritual

Answer 5

26/794 members of the Lords who are bishops
1 of them is the archbishop of canterbury

Question 6

Whips

Answer 6

Whips are used to maintain party loyalty and disciplin
Make sure that members vote in accordance with party guidance
Little black book
Can bribe MPs with promotions or threaten their jobs

Question 7

Front bench

Answer 7

Where the PM, ministers and members of the cabinet sit

Question 8

Question Time

Answer 8

PMQ
MQ
UQ

Question 9

Public Bill Committee

Answer 9

Committee responsible for looking at each bill in detail and scrutinising it

Question 10

Legislature

Answer 10

The legislative body of the country

Question 11

Parliamentary ping pong

Answer 11

When bills are passed from house to house, debates happen and amendments are made so the bill keeps being passed back and forth

Question 12

Bicameral

Answer 12

2 chambers
HoL and HoC

Question 13

Confidence and supply

Answer 13

The right to remove the government and grant or withhold funding. Also used to describe a type of informal coalition agreement where the minority partner agrees to provide these things in exchange for party concessions.