Passing Legislation in the UK Parliament

Question 1

What is the supreme legislative body in the UK, and what is its role?

Answer 1

Parliament is the supreme legislative body in the UK, responsible for creating and amending laws on any subject.

Question 2

What are the two chambers of Parliament, and what is their main function?

Answer 2

The two chambers are the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Their main function is to pass legislation.

Question 3

What exclusive authority does the House of Commons hold?

Answer 3

The House of Commons holds exclusive authority over money bills related to taxation and public expenditure.

Question 4

What is the role of the House of Lords in the legislative process?

Answer 4

The House of Lords can amend non-financial legislation but cannot veto money bills

Question 5

Who proposes most of the legislation in the UK Parliament?

Answer 5

The majority of legislation is proposed by the government, not by backbenchers or opposition MPs.

Question 6

What is the role of the House of Commons in the legislative process?

Answer 6

The House of Commons is the dominant chamber, with exclusive control over money bills and significant influence over the legislative agenda due to the government’s majority.

Question 7

How does the government ensure the passage of bills in the House of Commons?

Answer 7

How does the government ensure the passage of bills in the House of Commons?
A: The government ensures passage through its parliamentary majority and the control exercised by party whips.

Question 8

What is the role of the House of Lords in passing legislation?

Answer 8

The House of Lords acts as a revising chamber, providing expertise and scrutiny over non-financial bills.

Question 9

How is the UK’s political system characterised?

Answer 9

The UK has a highly adversarial political system where the government and opposition are in constant opposition, particularly during debates and votes.

Question 10

What is the role of party whips in Parliament?

Answer 10

Party whips ensure MPs attend and vote according to party lines, maintaining the government’s majority.

Question 11

What is a three-line whip?

Answer 11

A three-line whip is used for the most important votes and emphasizes that attendance and voting along party lines are essential.

Question 12

What can happen to MPs who consistently rebel against the whip?

Answer 12

MPs who consistently rebel may have the whip withdrawn, effectively suspending them from the party and forcing them to sit as independents.

Question 13

What does the 2016 Sunday trading bill defeat illustrate about the House of Commons?

Answer 13

It illustrates that the government is not always guaranteed to pass legislation if significant opposition arises, even from within its own party.

Question 14

How did the Labour Party and SNP influence the defeat of the Sunday trading bill?

Answer 14

They joined forces with Conservative rebels to block the bill.

Question 15

How can governments justify fast-tracking legislation?

Answer 15

Governments can use the argument of overriding necessity to push legislation through Parliament quickly.

Question 16

What is an example of fast-tracked legislation addressing terrorism?

Answer 16

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (2005), passed in just 18 days, introduced control orders for individuals suspected of terrorist offenses.

Question 17

What is an example of poorly drafted hasty legislation?

Answer 17

The Dangerous Dogs Act (1991), which banned specific breeds but ignored broader issues like owner responsibility, leading to ineffectiveness.

Question 18

What are money bills?

Answer 18

Money bills concern taxation or public expenditure, and only the House of Commons has the power to approve or reject them.

Question 19

What is the role of the House of Lords as a revising chamber?

Answer 19

The House of Lords revises and amends bills before they become law, providing scrutiny and expertise.

Question 20

What is an adversarial political system?

Answer 20

A system characterized by consistent opposition and scrutiny from opposition parties towards the government.

Question 21

What is the Government Dominance model in the legislative process?

Answer 21

It posits that the government, especially with a Commons majority, dominates the legislative process, controlling the agenda and passing most laws.

Question 22

What is an example of the Government Dominance model?

Answer 22

The government’s fast-tracking of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (2005) using the overriding necessity argument.

Question 23

What is the Backbencher Influence and Opposition Coalition model?

Answer 23

It highlights the influence of backbenchers and cross-party alliances in moderating or defeating government proposals.

Question 24

What is an example of the Backbencher Influence model?

Answer 24

The 2016 Sunday trading bill defeat, where opposition parties and Conservative rebels joined forces.

Question 25

What is the Adversarial Party System model?

Answer 25

It describes the adversarial nature of UK politics, where opposition scrutiny and challenges shape legislation.

Question 26

What is a critical minority in the legislative process?

Answer 26

A small group of MPs, especially in a hung parliament, can hold significant sway over legislative outcomes.

Question 27

What is an example of the Critical Minority model?

Answer 27

The DUP’s pivotal role in supporting Theresa May’s government during the 2017-2019 Brexit legislative process.