Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
What is meant by a public bill?
A proposal for a new law or to change an existing one.
What is an example of a public bill?
Coronavirus act 2020 which outlined the initial response to the outbreak and quickly received royal assent.
What is a private bill?
-promoted by local authorities, businesses and organisations
-do not necessarily affect wider interest usually specific
What is a private members bill?
-introduced by MP
-concerns the wider public
Example of a private bill?
-University of London act 2018
-a provision for the making of statutes at the Uol.
Example of a private members bill?
-Matt Hancock’s dyslexia screening and teacher training bill
-Train teachers to understand students with neurodivergent conditions.
What’s a green paper?
-document of policy proposals for discussion
What’s a white paper?
-sets out proposals for future legislation
-discussed with cabinet ministers whether to be taken forward.
What happens at the first reading?
-essentially a formal announcement
-Short-title of the bill is read out.
What happens at the report stage?
-commons debate and suggest amendments/ new clauses.
-All MP’s may contribute
What is meant by ping-pong?
-Back and forth of suggesting amendments between the house of commons and the lords.
-HOL cannot veto (parliament act 1949) but can delay for a year
Reasons why the parliamentary law making process is democratic?
-scrutiny
-Elected MP’s from all parties. (green have say, snp, libdems).
What is mean by the separation of powers?
Legislative (commons and lords), executive (government) and judicial (courts) are fairly separate- those in legislative and executive branches CANNOT be in the judicial branch.
Why is the slowness of parliamentary law making a problem?
-can become quickly outdated in a fast changing political scene.
Examples of holding the government to account?
-PMQ’s/ urgent questions
-The house of lords
-departmental select committees.
-Public bill committees- ‘time to write your Christmas cards!’
What is royal assent?
-The king signs of a bill for law.
What is the acronym for the law making process?
THE GREEN WINGED DRAGONFLY FLIES SLOWLY CLOCKWISE ROUND THE OLD RUIN.
What is the law making process (think green winged dragonfly)
Green Paper –> White Paper –> Draft Bill –> First reading –> second reading VOTE –>Committee –> Reports Stage –> third reading VOTE –> Other house –> Royal assent.
What is meant by the committee stage?
Go through each clause of the proposal finely- discuss amendments and vote.
What are the three rules of parliamentary sovereignty?
1- parliament can legislate on any subject matter
2- parliament cannot be bound by a previous parliaments decisions.
3- No other body can set aside an act of parliament.
What are 3 limitations of parliamentary sovereignty?
1- HRA
2- Devolution
3- EU membership (Historic example).
What is meant by a hybrid bill?
-combo of public and private bills
-affect certain individuals
What are the influences on parliament (8)
-manifestos
-Private members bills
-pressure groups-
-Europe
-Public opinion
-media
-judicial reports
-Other reports.
Example of a significant private members bill?
-Labour backbencher Sydney Silverman sponsored Bill abolishing the death penalty.
Examples of changes in the law influenced by the media?
-Dangerous dogs act 1991- kids being attacked by Pitbull’s.
-Firearms act 1997 after dunblane massacre
Extra help for exam:
Look at parliamentary law making factsheet.
