Parliament part one Flashcards
What is the house of commons referred to and who sits in it?
The “lower house”
Made up of democratically elected MPs
What is the house of lords refereed to and who sits in it?
The “upper house”. Made up of life peers who are pointed, some spiritual and hereditary peeps
How does the house of commons work?
Currently made up of 650 MPs each representing a “constituency” (or seat) averaging 70,000 people.
The chamber only has enough space for 427 MPs to sit down on the green benches.
MPs sit along two sets of opposing benches – sessions are presided over by the Speaker.
To the right of the Speaker’s chair are the government benches, to the left, HM Loyal Opposition – the second biggest party.
All MPs who are not allied to the Government sit along this side, not just those of the second biggest party.
This layout mirrors the “two-party politics”.
The Commons business timetable is set by the Leader of the House (a Cabinet position).
When in session, the Commons sit at some point all week but
Friday is usually for private members business but if it sits, it is from 9.30am-3pm.
Hansard is the official record of proceedings in both the Commons and the House of Lords and their committees.
It is published daily and has absolute privilege.
Media reports have qualified privilege.
Who is HM loyal opposition?
HM loyal opposition is the second biggest party after the government in terms of seats.
it holds the government to account for it’s actions through the shadow cabinet.
-Contributes to the legislative process by proposing amendments to bills.
It sets out policies using designated opposition days in each parliamentary session, 17 go to the largest opposition party and three go to third largest.
What is the role of speaker?
The speaker of the house of commons is the most important officer.
They preside over votes and debates, intervene to restore “order”, decide who speaks, can bar members and call ministers to the House to make statements.
The speaker is decided from a rank of Mps- in an election of MPS called the father of the house- once they are selected they leave alliance from their party.
They normally retire as a back bencher in the house of lords.
When would a speaker be requested to vote?
They only become directly involved with voting in the unlikely event of a Commons ballot ending in a tie.
This invokes the “Speaker Denison rule” which says the Speaker use their casting vote to call for further debate or to uphold the status quo.
The last time this happened was 3 April 2019 when then Speaker John Bercow used his casting vote to break a tie on a Brexit motion.
There are also three Deputy Speakers who can chair sittings of the Commons. They are also elected by their fellow MPs.
The current Speaker is Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
Who is the leader of the house?
Appointed by the PM and a member of the cabinet. This is a party political role and they have an important job of controlling the timetable of the house.
- the delivery of the governments legislative programme and decides how long debates go on for.
What is the role of an MP?
Elected by the UK public to represent the concerns and interests of the public.
The basic annual salary for an MPis around 90,000 pounds.
They also receive expenses to cover the costs of running an office, staff costs, living and travel expenses.
An MP who does not hold a ministerial post, or opposition role (spokesperson or shadow Cabinet) is a backbencher.
What is a back bencher?
A backbencher’s role falls into these areas – legislation (passing laws), debating government policy, scrutinising the executive and helping constituents.
What constituent work may an MP do?
Some MPS consider their constituent work the most important part of their role. Mps take interest in the interests and concerns of their constituent. They hold weekly surgeries where members of the public can seek advice or raise concerns regardless of if they voted for them.
They can write to the government to to raise issues and concerns and ask oral or written questions in the house of commons.
What is a private member bill?
Mps can introduce their own private member bills in areas they are particularly interested in.
What is an early day motion?
a record of a strong view expressed by MPs who have signed the EDM. It has official status but rarely results in an actual vote or full debate.
what is an adjournment debate?
a debate without a question the House must decide. Usually a half-hour debate at the end of the day’s sitting.
What is an E petition?
Backbenchers also increasingly co-ordinate e-petitions on a particular issue which will win time for a debate if it gains enough signatures
What are select committees?
Select committees hold MPS to account on individual departments and MPS can sit in this.
What is a whip?
Party officials who act as a link between the frontbench and the backbench, instruct backbenchers on how to vote and maintain party discipline are called whips.
They also play a role in communicating with opposing parties.
Labour and the Tories usually appoint 14 whips.
MPs who represent a political party have the party whip – recognition that they represent a particular party.
Occasionally MPs are given a free vote – usually on matters of conscience such as abortion, hunting etc.
On other votes they may be “whipped” to vote a certain way.
The whip also refers to a document sent to MPs by their whip giving them the weekly timetable.
In a key debate or vote there may be a three-line whip which indicates the party leadership sees it as a top priority that all of its MPs follow the party line on the matter.
Occasionally, MPs may revolt against the whip. They are likely to be summoned before the whip for a disciplinary meeting.
The ultimate punishment is to have the whip withdrawn.
Recent examples of this are Matt Hancock (over his I’m a Celebrity appearance) and Tory MP Andrew Bridgen over Covid vaccine comments.
Who are MPs salaries and expenses overseen by?
MPs’ salaries and expenses are overseen by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
This was set up under Gordon Brown’s Government following the MPs expenses scandal. MPs used to set their own pay.
The scandal – exposed by the Telegraph - prompted public outrage after it emerged that some MPs appeared to have been abusing the system.
Some of the more outlandish claims included £1,645 claimed by Tory MP Peter Viggers for a “duck island”
Under the new rules, MPs can no longer buy second homes, those representing London seats can claim nothing for second homes as they are expected to commute, travel expenses are limited to standard class and receipts are required for all claims.
What is the parliamentary commissioner?
The Commissioner is appointed by the Commons for a five-year term and is an independent officer of the House.
Their key responsibilities include overseeing the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, providing confidential advice to members, preparing guidance and training, investigating complaints and monitoring the code of conduct.
The Standards Committee oversees their work and publishes the Commissioner’s report on complaints against MPs.
What is a parliamentary commissioner?
A Parliamentary Commissioner is appointed by the Commons for a five-year term and is an independent officer of the House.
Their key responsibilities include overseeing the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, providing confidential advice to members, preparing guidance and training, investigating complaints and monitoring the code of conduct.
The Standards Committee oversees their work and publishes the Commissioner’s report on complaints against MPs. Who sits on the committee?
The current Commissioner is Daniel Greenberg
What is parliamentary privilege?
Parliamentary privilege was based on a case law to protect both houses from the sovereign.
This includes-
rights to freedom of speech proceedings and documents have absolute privilege.
Freedom from arrest from members and their staff within precincts of the house.
Rights to suspend, disqualify members and punish members for a breach of privilege or contempt.
What is the privy council?
Made up of more than 500 members including all Cabinet ministers, past and present, some royals, ambassadors, senior judges and politicians.
Privy councillors have the title “Right Honorable”.
Its normal role is to pass “orders in council” – a type of legislation.
It is an order made by the King acting on the advice on the Council.
Although approved by the King in person, these orders are drafted and controlled by the government.
The Council approves royal charters to boroughs and universities.
What is the makeup of the house of lords?
Often referred to as the “upper house”.
Its key role is to make laws, check and challenge the actions of the Government and provide independent expertise.
There are more than 800 peers – split into three types – appointed life peers (more than 680), spiritual peers (26 Cof E archbishops and bishops) and two non-elected hereditary peers.
High profile appointments include Lord Alan Sugar
What are the main criticisms of the house of lords? +pros
It has unelected members- therefore fails to represent large parts of the UK.
In a modern democracy, the second chamber is mainly made up of politcal appointees and heriditary- it is oudated
There is too many of them
`The pros include elected House of Lords may not have the will or courage to speak out against public opinion, members bring experience – retired general, trade union leaders, academics.Judges etc, if the house was elected, it might draw career politicians and reduce the independent character of the house.
What organisation investigated Boris Johnson.
The cross party committee.
