Parliment Flashcards
Bill definition
A draft of a proposed law sent to parliament for discussion
Bicameral definition
A government with two houses of legislature
Fixed term parliament definition
The next general election must take place at a certain date after a fixed amount of years
Limited government definition
The powers of government are restricted by law
Amendment definition
A change or addition to a piece of legislature designed to improve it
Cross-bencher definition
An MP who has no party affiliation - can make neutral decisions
Political debate definition
A formal discussion on a political issue or a piece of legislature
Frontbencher definition
An MP who has a main role in a party and Is loyal and sits on the front bench in the House of Commons
Government definition
The group of people with the authority to govern a country
Backbench MP definition
An MP who is not in a leadership role in their party, but merely sits directly on the back bench
Gridlock definition
A point of dispute where no decision can be made in parliament
Hereditary peers
Peers that inherit their title
Hung parliament definition
A general election where no single party wins an overall majority in the House of Commons
Legislation definition
The act or process of making a law
Life peers definition
Peers that are appointed because of things they have done in their life
Member of parliament definition
Someone the people have elected to represent them in parliament
Parliament definition
The legislative body in the UK consisting of the monarch, the House of Commons and the House of Lords
Parliamentary sovereignty definition
Parliament is the supreme legislative authority in the UK, the courts usually cannot overrule a decision made in parliament
Pre-legislative scrutiny definition
When a bill is proposed the draft is read through in the lords and they suggest amendments after gathering evidence. Parliament does not have to act on these suggestions
Private members bill definition
A legislative bill that is introduced by a private member of parliament and is not part of a governments planned legislation
They rarely become law
Public accounts committee definition
A select committee in the House of Commons that is responsible for overseeing government expenditure to ensure they are effective and honest
Queens speech definition
A statement read by the sovereign at the opening of a new session of parliament detailing the governments proposed legislative programme
Redress of grievances definition
The right to make a complaint to or seek the assistance of ones government without fear of punishment or reprisal
Royal assent definition
Approval of the sovereign of a bill which has been passed by parliament. Royal assent is required before a bill can come into force as law
Scrutiny definition
Critical examination of a piece of legislature or a decision made by parliament
Select committee definition
A small committee set up by either House of Parliament to investigate a particular area
Speaker definition
The chief officer and highest authority in the House of Commons. The speaker must be politically impartial at all times and calls MP’s to speak
Veto definition
The power or right of one House of Parliament to cancel or postpone a piece of legislation from the other
Whip definition
A member of a political party in parliament or in the legislature whose job is to make sure that other party members are present at voting time and that they vote in a particular way
White paper definition
A statement of policy by the government outlined in terms of legislative proposals
Green paper definition
A consulate e document that usually outlines a range of legislative options
Where is most of the political power in the UK
Westminster - where the Houses of Parliament are located
What does the chancellor of the exchequer do
Decides how the budget is spent
Legal sovereignty definition
The power to make and unmake binding laws, to grant ultimate powers to individuals or other bodies and to determine the nature of the constitution
Popular sovereignty definition
The circumstances when the people’s decision, in an election or referendum, is effectively binding on the political system
Political sovereignty definition
The location of real power. Ignores where legal sovereignty may lie and concentrates on who realistically can exercise power within the state
What part of the UK political system is Parliament
The legislature - the place where laws are made
What are the three parts of Parliament
Monarch
House of Lords
House of Commons
Who was the last monarch to decline to give a bill royal assent
Queen Anne - died in 1714
How many peers in the House of Lords are elected
None
What are the three types of peers in the House of Lords
Life peers
Hereditary peers
Lord spirituals - bishops, archbishops
How many life peers are there
678
How many hereditary peers are there
92
How many Lord spirituals are there
26
Who appoints life peers
The prime minister
Who appoints lord spirituals
The prime minister
What are the powers of the House of Lords
Delay bills for up to one year
Some veto powers
What is the composition of the House of Commons
650 MPs - not fixed, reduced to 600 in 2015
Single ember parliamentary constituents using first past the post electoral system
MP is almost always a representative of a party - subject to party discipline
What are the powers of the House of Commons
Supreme legislative powers
Can remove the government of the day
What are the roles of Parliament
Examining and challenging the work of the executive - scrutiny
Debating and passing all laws - legislation
Debating major issues
Sustaining government
Representation
Financial scrutiny
Redress of grievances
How can Parliament be considered representative
Each eligible voter has the choice of constituency representatives in free and fair elections
There is usually a good range of political parties from which to choose
Parliament broadly reflects the nation, without being a microcosm of it
Parliament is usually responsive to public opinion
MPs are representative in that they think for themselves and exercise judgement within the constraints of party discipline
He can parliament be considered unrepresentative
In the commons certain groups are not represented well - very few woman, ethnic minorities, young people and people who are not university educated
First past the post means that political parties are not represented proportionally - 2015 UKIP gained 4 million voted but only one seat
The party system can stop MPs from thinking for themselves
The House of Lords has been criticised as it is an unelected chamber - until recently most peers were hereditary and there are still no elected peers
What are the key features in a parliamentary system
Fusion of powers Governments formed through parliamentary elections Overlap of personnel Government removable by legislature Flexible-term elections Cabinet government Separate government and head of state
What is a vote of no confidence
A parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government
What are the features of a presidential government
Separation of powers
Governments are separately elected - president and party elected separately
Separation of personnel
Legislature cannot remove government
Fixed term elections
Presidentialism
President is both head of state and government
What are the three interpretations of parliamentary power
Westminster model
Whitehall model
Transformative model
What is the Westminster model
Parliament is a representative and responsible government
Parliament has significant policy influence
What is the Whitehall model
Executive is the political and constitutional power
Parliament has no meaningful policy influence
What is the transformative model
Parliament is no longer a policy making body
Parliament is not irrelevant
Parliament transforms policy - reacting to executive initiatives
What is a committee of the whole house
A meeting of the full chamber of the House of Commons to consider the committee stage of a government bill
What stages do bills go through before becoming law
Preparatory stage First reading Second reading Committee stage Report stage Third reading The other chamber (the one it started in) Royal assent
What is a public bill committee and what are its features
A committee set up by the House of Commons to consider the details of a particular bill
All bills other than money bills are automatically sent to a public bill committee following their second reading unless they are committed to a committee of the whole house
Only last for duration of the bill concerned
The composition of the committees must match the size of the parties in the house - eg if a party has 60% of the seats I the House of Commons then the party will have 60% of the membership of the public bill committee
What is the report stage in the passing of a bill
When the public bill committee reports back to the full House of Commons on any changes made during the committee stage
The commons may amend or reversed anger at this stage
How does Parliament scrutinise the executive
Questions to ministers Prime minister's question time Debates Select committees Opposition day's Written questions and letters
How does Parliament sustain government
The governing party having a majority of seats in the House of Commons
How does Parliament represent people
Political parties attempt to reflect the views of the people who elect them
Individual MPs attempt to represent the people in their constituency, whether they voted for them or not
How does Parliament financially scrutinise government
There is an annual finance bills, otherwise known as the budget, which has to be passed in order for taxation and spending to continue
There are a number of parliamentary committee that oversea matters such as public spending
What are the features and functions of the House of Commons
Publicly elected - part with largest number of seats firms government
MPs debate the big politics issues of the day and proposals for new laws
Government ministers like the prime minister and chancellor have prime minister’s question time and ministers question time
Responsible for making decisions on financial bills, such as proposed new taxes
What are the features and functions of the House of Lords
Membership is mostly appointed and includes experts in many fields
Make laws
Holds government to account
Investigate policy issues
Can consider financial bills but cannot block or amend them
What are the roles of MPs
Representing their constituencies Serving constituents Voting on legislation Debates Committee work Private members bill Executive scrutiny
How do MPs represent their constituents
MPs are expected to raise issues of particular concern for the people who live in their constituencies, whether they voted for the MPs party or not
What work does an MP do in Parliament
Raise issues that effect their constituents in the House of Commons
Attend debates
Vote on new laws
Committee work
What work do MPs do in their constituencies
Hold surgeries in their office - where locals can come along to discuss any matters that concerns them
Attend functions
Visit schools and businesses and try to generally meet as many people as possible - this gives. MPs further insight and context into issues they may discuss when they return to Westminster
What is example of an MP raising an issue Parliament on their constituents behalf
Mark Lancaster, Milton Keynes South MP writing to chief executive about a local surgery closure
What is an example if a private members bill
Richard Ottaway’s scrap metal act 2013
What are the four types of committees
Select committees
Joint committees
General committees
Grand committees
What do select committees do
Check and report on issues ranging from the work of government departments to economic affairs
The results from these inquires see public and many require a response from the government
Where are select committee found
In the House of Lords and the House of Commons
What are the features of joint committees
Made up of MPs and lords
Similar powers to select committees
Some are permanent, eg joint committee on human rights
Some are for specific purposes, eg examining draft proposals for bills
on subjects ranging from gambling to stem cell research
What is the role of a general committee
To consider proposed legislation in detail
Where are general committee found
In the House of Commons - reflects the political makeup of the house, parties with more MP’s have more members in the committee
What is the role of a grand committee
To give MPs the opportunity to debate issues affecting their region
What are opposition days
Days where the opposition decides he timetable in the House of Commons
The are a limited number of days that the official opposition can use
They need to give notice of their intention to use such a day
What are limitations to government scrutiny
The largest party in parliament is the governing party - MPs from this party sit on committee, ask questions etc- will they scrutinise their own party closely enough
Size of majority - the government is the largest party and has a majority in parliament, therefore it can pass any legislation it wants if it has a majority - elective dictatorship
Select committees reflect the composition of the House of Commons son the government has a majority on these too
Committee appointments are influenced by whips - they make sure only loyal backbencher sit on influential committees
Committee have no power - they can criticise the government and make recommendations, however this can be ignored by government
What is a lobby fodder
MPs who speak and vote (in the lobbies) as their parties direct without thinking for themselves
What is a backbench revolt
Disunity by backbench MP’s, who vote against their parties on a whipped vote
How is Parliament effective at making laws
Lots of legislation is passed
Parliament can be successful in passing radical\controversial legislation - eg legalisation of gay marriage
How are committees effective
Ministers arguably become more accountable
Regularly embarrass the government over things they’d rather were not brought up and have produced a number of scathing reports - eg arms to Iraq and the Westland affair
They generate more information for MPs and Parliament as ministers and civil servants can be forced to attend
MPs often work across party lines so thee is more cooperation here
What was arms to Iraq
Uncovering of the government endorsed sales of arms by British companies to Iraq
How are committees not effective
Diverted attention away from the commons - the chamber has become lacking in numbers
Select committees often lack the time, resources, staff and, perhaps above all, the will to be more than a mild irritant to government
Often the government just ignores the criticisms and recommendations of the committees
They cannot force people to speak
What was the House of Commons reform under Blaire
PMQs changed from two 15 minute sessions to one 30 minute session
Liaison committee - twice a year the heads of the select committees question the prime minister over their particular area of interest, thus holding the prime minister to greater scrutiny
What was the House of Commons reform under Brown
Foreign affairs reform - Brown guaranteed greater consultation with Parliament over foreign affairs and also guarantee to hold a vote in parliament on every decision to go to war
Independent parliamentary standards authority set up to oversea expenses after the expenses scandal in 2009 - MPs now gave to make their receipts open to the public, and regulations concerning MPs second homes were also tightened
What House of Commons reform has occurred under Cameron so far
Fixed term Parliament
Public reading stage in legislative process
Dissolution if Parliament
Power of recall
Petitions with 100000 signatures must be brought up in a meeting
Prevent the use of parliamentary privileges by MPs and reduce pensions
What House of Lords reform has occurred so far
Removal of all but 92 hereditary peers
What are the main options for House of Lords reform
No change Remove the House of Lords An all elected chamber An all appointed chamber Partly elected-partly appointed chamber
Advantages of making no changes to the House of Lords
The House of Lords is effective as it is - any reform may have unknown consequences
The current HOL compliments the HOC as it is a different composition
The expertise and experience in the HOL is essential for scrutiny
There is less party influence - this is crucial for scrutiny
Disadvantages of making no changes to the House of Lords
The HOL is unrepresentative - no longer tolerable to have such an undemocratic institution legislating in this day and age
It is currently unaccountable
Currently lacks legitimacy
What are the arguments for removing the House of Lords
A second chamber is not needed in a unitary system and it can only delay anyway
A reformed House of Commons could be given more time for scrutiny
A unicameral system works effectively in countries like New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden and Israel
What are the arguments against removing the House of Lords
The up has too big a population for a unicameral system - New Zealand has a population of under 10 million
Scrutiny needs to be carried out by a second chamber with less party control\influence and it needs more time
Their is little support for this option
What are the arguments for an all elected House of Lords
More democratically legitimate
Wider representation - two elected chambers would widen the basis of representation
Better legislation - if elected, popular support would enable it to exercise greater powers of scrutiny
Checking the commons - only an elected body can effectively check another elected body
Ending executive tyranny - executive dominates the HOC, if the HOL was elected it would be more powerful - better check
Elimination of any corrupt practices/cronyism (choosing friends) in the appointment of lords
What are the arguments against a fully elected House of Lords
Specialist knowledge - People can be chosen because they are a specialist/have experience
Gridlock government - two co-equal chambers =paralysis
Complementary chamber - two chambers can carry our different roles
Danger of partisanship - any elected chamber will be dominated by the party ‘hacks’ - an elected second chamber would have reduced
partisanship
Less decisive government - an elected HOL with more authority might impede government
Voter apathy - too many elections could lead to voter fatigue/apathy
Primacy - if both chambers are democratically elected which takes primacy
What are the arguments for an all appointed House of Lords
Opportunity to bring people into political processes who would not otherwise want to stand for election
Membership could be controlled so that all major groups/associations in society are represented
It can bring more independents into the political process
What are the arguments against an all appointed House of Lords
Could put too much power into the hands of those who appoint the lords - could lead to corruption
It is undemocratic and holds back progress to a modern system
It might lack legitimacy and public support because The people have no part in its composition
What are the arguments for a partly appointed-partly elected House of Lords
Legitimacy and democratic representation would be provided without losing expertise
It would ensure a good gender/ethnic mix of lords
It would retain the primacy of the House of Commons
What are the arguments against a partly appointed-partly elected House of Lords
Still undemocratic and therefore lacking in legitimacy and accountability
What are the functions of parliament
Calling government to account
Scrutinising and amending legislation
Ensuring that the grievances of citizens are expressed to government and forcing government ministers and officials to listen to them
Why does the government need an effective parliament
As a representative body so the views of different section of society can be expressed by MPs and peers
In order for popular consent to be granted there must be opportunities to examine, scrutinise and pass legislative proposals
Government needs the approval of parliament in order to give it authority and therefore legitimacy
The scrutinising function of parliament can improve the quality of legislation by identifying problems
Needs parliamentary opposition and scrutiny in order to justify its actions and decisions
Needs parliament as the official forum where or can introduce proposals into the public area
Needs parliament as a recruiting ground for new ministers
What are the advantages of the devolution in the UK
Created a new tier of regional/local government where citizens make decisions in closer proximity to themselves - this has afforded regional variance which has been valued
Civic pride
What are the disadvantage of the devolution in the UK
High financial costs - Welsh assembly and Scottish Parliament needs funding
Political cost - may fragment the UK
What are the advantages of the House of Lords reform
Increased legitimacy
More meritorious intake
What are the disadvantages of the House of Lords reform
Still no democratic accountability - fully unelected
Major political parties still dominate its structure
What are the advantages of fixed term parliament in the UK
Reduced the unfair advantage that the current PM and cabinet have in deciding when the next general election can be held
Adds transparency to the electoral process
What are the disadvantages of fixed term parliament in the UK
Can easily be changed by a single party government
How does the PM control decisions made by their government
PM exercises various controls over the cabinet, including agenda control, patronage, control of cabinet committees etc
PM has higher authority than others and is considered to be the chief policy maker - policies are rarely accepted without their approval
PM has an extensive department comprising of the cabinet office and other policy units, advisers etc
PM has many prerogative powers that give arbitrary decision making power over foreign policy and military policy
The media tends to treat the PM as chief government spokesperson
How does the PM not control decisions made by their government
Some ministers have their own power base, eg the chancellor
The PM can be overruled by parliament
The PM can only control policy and decision making if parliament will approve
The PM may be constrained by events, foreign affairs and domestic crises
The PM may be constrained by their party
Formerly, during the coalition the PM must consult with the Lib Dems
What are the main factors that limit the effectiveness of parliament
Discipline exercised by the whips and party leaders prevents MPs and peers operating independently
MPs and peers do not have sufficient time, expertise, knowledge and research backup to be able to effectively examine legislation and government policy
The commons may be said to lack legitimacy because of its distorted representation, while the lords is unelected
Collective responsibility, the anonymity of officials and traditional secrecy of government make it difficult for MPs, peers and select committees to obtain information and examine policy effectively
