Parliament - Key Terms

Question 1

Backbenchers

Answer 1

MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office.

Question 2

Confidence and supply

Answer 2

The right to remove the government and to 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 policy concessions.

Question 3

House of Commons

Answer 3

The primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters.

Question 4

House of Lords

Answer 4

The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters.

Question 5

Legislative bill

Answer 5

Proposed law passing through Parliament.

Question 6

Opposition

Answer 6

MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party or parties.

Question 7

Parliament

Answer 7

The British legislature made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.

Question 8

Parliamentary privilege

Answer 8

The right of MPs or Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including the law.

Question 9

Public Bill Committee

Answer 9

Committee responsible for looking at bills in detail.

Question 10

Salisbury Convention

Answer 10

The convention whereby the House of Lords does not delay or block legislation that was included in the government’s manifesto.

Question 11

Select committee

Answer 11

Committee responsible for scrutinising the work of government, particularly individual government departments.