Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
What are green and white papers?
Draft documents
What is a green paper?
A consultative document issued by the government putting forward proposals for reform of law and often inviting suggestions
What is a white paper?
A document issued by the government stating its decisions as to how it is going to reform the law
What is a bill?
A new law making its way through the formal stages of becoming an act of parliament
What are the types of bills?
- Public
- Private members
- Private
- Hybrid
What is a public bill?
Matters of public policy affecting the whole country or a large section of it
E.g. Legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders act 2012
What is a private members bill?
Individual MPs introduce a bill
What are the two ways a private MP can introduce a bill?
Ballot
‘Ten-minute’ rule
What are private bills designed to create?
law which will only effect individual people or corporations
What is a hybrid bill?
Across between a public and private
Introduced by government but if they become law affect a particular person, organisation or place
What is the process of the passing of an act?
Bill - first reading at House of Commons - second reading at House of Commons - committee stage - report stage - third reading in House of Commons - same procedures in House of Lords - royal assent
How does politics influence parliament?
When there’s a general election political parties publish a manifesto which amounts to a promise of what new laws they will introduce
E.g. The hunting act 2004 followed labours promise to outlaw fox hunting
Advantages of political influence?
- Each political party has proposals ready
- Government majority means most bills if introduced will pass
Disadvantages of political influence
Easy to make a promise but harder to fulfil the promise particularly without a majority
How does media influence parliament?
When there is strong public opinion the government may bow.
When an issue is given high profile in the media it may add to the weight of public opinion.
E.g. following dublane massacre 1996 private ownership of handguns was banned
What are the advantages of media influences on parliament?
UK’s free press can criticise government policy or bring any other issue to the attention of the government
Disadvantages of media influencing parliament
- Responding too quickly can lead to badly drafted law e.g. dangerous dogs act 1991
- Media companies can manipulate the news to create public opinion
How do pressure groups influence parliament?
Sectional: represent opinions of a particular group
Cause: promote a particular cause
E.g. 2007 laws against smoking in public areas and cancer research
Advantages of pressure groups
Bring important scientific discoveries to the governments attention
E.g. damage done by greenhouse gases and other pollutants
Disadvantages of pressure groups
Occasions when two pressure groups have conflicting interests
E.g. league against cruel sports wanted to ban fox hunting but countryside alliance wanted it to continue
How does public opinion influence parliament?
Views of members of the general public
E.g. public opinion was mixed wether to leave the EU
Advantages on public opinion influence of parliament
Where the majority of the public has certain beliefs or demands parliament can safely pass legislation on that issue
Disadvantages on public opinion
Gauging public opinion can be difficult
How do lobbyists influence parliament?
Professionals or organisations who try to persuade or influence government to enact, amend or repeal legislation that affects their own interests
E.g. most multinational companies have or use lobbyists
Advantages of lobbyists
Citizens and organisations can approach a lobbyist to represent or present their interests directly to government ministers
Disadvantages of lobbyists
- Expensive and may only represent those who can afford their service
- Accusations of dubious and corrupt methods have been made against lobysist
