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UK Government And Politics > Parliment > Flashcards

Parliment Flashcards

1
Q

Bill definition

A

A draft of a proposed law sent to parliament for discussion

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2
Q

Bicameral definition

A

A government with two houses of legislature

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3
Q

Fixed term parliament definition

A

The next general election must take place at a certain date after a fixed amount of years

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4
Q

Limited government definition

A

The powers of government are restricted by law

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5
Q

Amendment definition

A

A change or addition to a piece of legislature designed to improve it

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6
Q

Cross-bencher definition

A

An MP who has no party affiliation - can make neutral decisions

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7
Q

Political debate definition

A

A formal discussion on a political issue or a piece of legislature

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8
Q

Frontbencher definition

A

An MP who has a main role in a party and Is loyal and sits on the front bench in the House of Commons

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9
Q

Government definition

A

The group of people with the authority to govern a country

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10
Q

Backbench MP definition

A

An MP who is not in a leadership role in their party, but merely sits directly on the back bench

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11
Q

Gridlock definition

A

A point of dispute where no decision can be made in parliament

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12
Q

Hereditary peers

A

Peers that inherit their title

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13
Q

Hung parliament definition

A

A general election where no single party wins an overall majority in the House of Commons

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14
Q

Legislation definition

A

The act or process of making a law

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15
Q

Life peers definition

A

Peers that are appointed because of things they have done in their life

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16
Q

Member of parliament definition

A

Someone the people have elected to represent them in parliament

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17
Q

Parliament definition

A

The legislative body in the UK consisting of the monarch, the House of Commons and the House of Lords

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18
Q

Parliamentary sovereignty definition

A

Parliament is the supreme legislative authority in the UK, the courts usually cannot overrule a decision made in parliament

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19
Q

Pre-legislative scrutiny definition

A

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

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20
Q

Private members bill definition

A

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

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21
Q

Public accounts committee definition

A

A select committee in the House of Commons that is responsible for overseeing government expenditure to ensure they are effective and honest

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22
Q

Queens speech definition

A

A statement read by the sovereign at the opening of a new session of parliament detailing the governments proposed legislative programme

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23
Q

Redress of grievances definition

A

The right to make a complaint to or seek the assistance of ones government without fear of punishment or reprisal

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24
Q

Royal assent definition

A

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

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25
Q

Scrutiny definition

A

Critical examination of a piece of legislature or a decision made by parliament

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26
Q

Select committee definition

A

A small committee set up by either House of Parliament to investigate a particular area

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27
Q

Speaker definition

A

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

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28
Q

Veto definition

A

The power or right of one House of Parliament to cancel or postpone a piece of legislation from the other

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29
Q

Whip definition

A

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

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30
Q

White paper definition

A

A statement of policy by the government outlined in terms of legislative proposals

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31
Q

Green paper definition

A

A consulate e document that usually outlines a range of legislative options

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32
Q

Where is most of the political power in the UK

A

Westminster - where the Houses of Parliament are located

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33
Q

What does the chancellor of the exchequer do

A

Decides how the budget is spent

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34
Q

Legal sovereignty definition

A

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

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35
Q

Popular sovereignty definition

A

The circumstances when the people’s decision, in an election or referendum, is effectively binding on the political system

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36
Q

Political sovereignty definition

A

The location of real power. Ignores where legal sovereignty may lie and concentrates on who realistically can exercise power within the state

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37
Q

What part of the UK political system is Parliament

A

The legislature - the place where laws are made

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38
Q

What are the three parts of Parliament

A

Monarch
House of Lords
House of Commons

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39
Q

Who was the last monarch to decline to give a bill royal assent

A

Queen Anne - died in 1714

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40
Q

How many peers in the House of Lords are elected

A

None

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41
Q

What are the three types of peers in the House of Lords

A

Life peers
Hereditary peers
Lord spirituals - bishops, archbishops

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42
Q

How many life peers are there

A

678

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43
Q

How many hereditary peers are there

A

92

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44
Q

How many Lord spirituals are there

A

26

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45
Q

Who appoints life peers

A

The prime minister

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46
Q

Who appoints lord spirituals

A

The prime minister

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47
Q

What are the powers of the House of Lords

A

Delay bills for up to one year

Some veto powers

48
Q

What is the composition of the House of Commons

A

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

49
Q

What are the powers of the House of Commons

A

Supreme legislative powers

Can remove the government of the day

50
Q

What are the roles of Parliament

A

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

51
Q

How can Parliament be considered representative

A

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

52
Q

He can parliament be considered unrepresentative

A

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

53
Q

What are the key features in a parliamentary system

A 
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
54
Q

What is a vote of no confidence

A

A parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government

55
Q

What are the features of a presidential government

A

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

56
Q

What are the three interpretations of parliamentary power

A

Westminster model
Whitehall model
Transformative model

57
Q

What is the Westminster model

A

Parliament is a representative and responsible government

Parliament has significant policy influence

58
Q

What is the Whitehall model

A

Executive is the political and constitutional power

Parliament has no meaningful policy influence

59
Q

What is the transformative model

A

Parliament is no longer a policy making body
Parliament is not irrelevant
Parliament transforms policy - reacting to executive initiatives

60
Q

What is a committee of the whole house

A

A meeting of the full chamber of the House of Commons to consider the committee stage of a government bill

61
Q

What stages do bills go through before becoming law

A 
Preparatory stage 
First reading 
Second reading 
Committee stage 
Report stage 
Third reading 
The other chamber (the one it started in)
Royal assent
62
Q

What is a public bill committee and what are its features

A

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

63
Q

What is the report stage in the passing of a bill

A

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

64
Q

How does Parliament scrutinise the executive

A 
Questions to ministers 
Prime minister's question time 
Debates 
Select committees
Opposition day's
Written questions and letters
65
Q

How does Parliament sustain government

A

The governing party having a majority of seats in the House of Commons

66
Q

How does Parliament represent people

A

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

67
Q

How does Parliament financially scrutinise government

A

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

68
Q

What are the features and functions of the House of Commons

A

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

69
Q

What are the features and functions of the House of Lords

A

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

70
Q

What are the roles of MPs

A 
Representing their constituencies 
Serving constituents 
Voting on legislation
Debates
Committee work
Private members bill
Executive scrutiny
71
Q

How do MPs represent their constituents

A

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

72
Q

What work does an MP do in Parliament

A

Raise issues that effect their constituents in the House of Commons
Attend debates
Vote on new laws
Committee work

73
Q

What work do MPs do in their constituencies

A

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

74
Q

What is example of an MP raising an issue Parliament on their constituents behalf

A

Mark Lancaster, Milton Keynes South MP writing to chief executive about a local surgery closure

75
Q

What is an example if a private members bill

A

Richard Ottaway’s scrap metal act 2013

76
Q

What are the four types of committees

A

Select committees
Joint committees
General committees
Grand committees

77
Q

What do select committees do

A

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

78
Q

Where are select committee found

A

In the House of Lords and the House of Commons

79
Q

What are the features of joint committees

A

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

80
Q

What is the role of a general committee

A

To consider proposed legislation in detail

81
Q

Where are general committee found

A

In the House of Commons - reflects the political makeup of the house, parties with more MP’s have more members in the committee

82
Q

What is the role of a grand committee

A

To give MPs the opportunity to debate issues affecting their region

83
Q

What are opposition days

A

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

84
Q

What are limitations to government scrutiny

A

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

85
Q

What is a lobby fodder

A

MPs who speak and vote (in the lobbies) as their parties direct without thinking for themselves

86
Q

What is a backbench revolt

A

Disunity by backbench MP’s, who vote against their parties on a whipped vote

87
Q

How is Parliament effective at making laws

A

Lots of legislation is passed

Parliament can be successful in passing radical\controversial legislation - eg legalisation of gay marriage

88
Q

How are committees effective

A

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

89
Q

What was arms to Iraq

A

Uncovering of the government endorsed sales of arms by British companies to Iraq

90
Q

How are committees not effective

A

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

91
Q

What was the House of Commons reform under Blaire

A

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

92
Q

What was the House of Commons reform under Brown

A

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

93
Q

What House of Commons reform has occurred under Cameron so far

A

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

94
Q

What House of Lords reform has occurred so far

A

Removal of all but 92 hereditary peers

95
Q

What are the main options for House of Lords reform

A 
No change
Remove the House of Lords 
An all elected chamber 
An all appointed chamber
Partly elected-partly appointed chamber
96
Q

Advantages of making no changes to the House of Lords

A

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

97
Q

Disadvantages of making no changes to the House of Lords

A

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

98
Q

What are the arguments for removing the House of Lords

A

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

99
Q

What are the arguments against removing the House of Lords

A

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

100
Q

What are the arguments for an all elected House of Lords

A

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

101
Q

What are the arguments against a fully elected House of Lords

A

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

102
Q

What are the arguments for an all appointed House of Lords

A

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

103
Q

What are the arguments against an all appointed House of Lords

A

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

104
Q

What are the arguments for a partly appointed-partly elected House of Lords

A

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

105
Q

What are the arguments against a partly appointed-partly elected House of Lords

A

Still undemocratic and therefore lacking in legitimacy and accountability

106
Q

What are the functions of parliament

A

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

107
Q

Why does the government need an effective parliament

A

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

108
Q

What are the advantages of the devolution in the UK

A

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

109
Q

What are the disadvantage of the devolution in the UK

A

High financial costs - Welsh assembly and Scottish Parliament needs funding
Political cost - may fragment the UK

110
Q

What are the advantages of the House of Lords reform

A

Increased legitimacy

More meritorious intake

111
Q

What are the disadvantages of the House of Lords reform

A

Still no democratic accountability - fully unelected

Major political parties still dominate its structure

112
Q

What are the advantages of fixed term parliament in the UK

A

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

113
Q

What are the disadvantages of fixed term parliament in the UK

A

Can easily be changed by a single party government

114
Q

How does the PM control decisions made by their government

A

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

115
Q

How does the PM not control decisions made by their government

A

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

116
Q

What are the main factors that limit the effectiveness of parliament

A

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

UK Government And Politics (6 decks)

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