Parliament largely effective at challenging the government

Question 1

Executive Dominance and Party Discipline

Answer 1

1. During Johnson’s premiership, many MPs were disciplined or even expelled for voting against the government (e.g., the 21 MPs expelled in 2019 for opposing no-deal Brexit).
2. The Conservative–Liberal Democrat government passed a bill to raise university tuition fees to £9,000/year.

Whip: Lib Dem MPs were under heavy whip pressure to support the bill, despite having campaigned to abolish fees.

Question 2

govt controls the timetable

Answer 2

Though the Backbench Business Committee exists, it has limited influence—

1. only one day a week is typically given to non-government business.–
2. roughly 5% of PMB get through

Question 3

Limitations of Question Time

Answer 3

1. limited time — only 30 mins a week,opposition can only ask 6 questions
   Boris Johnson’s tenure saw repeated accusations of dodging questions and attacking opponents instead, leading to a rowdy and confrontational atmosphere.

Question 4

Select Committees Provide Detailed Scrutiny

Answer 4

1. A 2019 Hansard Society report found that 40% of select committee recommendations were at least partially accepted by government.
2. Amber rudd forced to resign over her handling of the windrush scandal 2018 (misled committee that home office had no targets for deportation)

Question 5

Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) and Debates

Answer 5

Keir Starmer frequently used PMQs to challenge Boris Johnson and later Rishi Sunak on issues like Partygate, the cost-of-living crisis, and NHS backlogs.

Publicly broadcast once a week

Question 6

Rebellions and Legislative Delays

Answer 6

1. Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal agreements were defeated three times in 2019.– including largest defeat on record (230 votes)
2. 2003 Invasion of Iraq- 138 Labour rebelled

Although the government still won comfortably - and the Commons alone has no brake on a prime minister’s right to take the country into war