Relations Between Branches- The Influence And Effectiveness Of The Uk Parliament, Exec Dominance And Exec And Palriakent RS Flashcards
Ways Parliament can control the executive
-Parliament has the power to dismiss a government in a vote of no confidence.
-Parliament has the reserve power to veto government legislation.
-The House of Lords can delay legislation for a year.
-The Commons can amend legislation.
-The House of Lords can also amend legislation, although its decisions can be reversed in the House of Commons.
-The government may face a backbench rebellion.
-The departmental select committees have become increasingly effective in calling government to account.
-When the government allows a free vote, Mps or peers may vote according to their beliefs rather than party allegiance.
-Ministers are obliged to present themselves before Parliament to account for their decisions and policies.
Parliament has the power to dismiss a government in a vote of no confidence.
James Callaghans Labour government lost a vote of no confidence in 1979, triggering a general election.
-Parliament has the reserve power to veto government legislation.
Theresa May sustained the largest parliamentary defeat in history when her Brexit deal was rejected by a majority of 230 votes in 2019.
-The House of Lords can delay legislation for a year.
Plans to reduce tax credits were blocked by the Lords in 2015.
After pressure from backbenchers, the government agreed to an amendment to the Internal Market Bill in 2020, removing the government’s ability to override parts of the EU Withdrawal Agreement.
-The Commons can amend legislation.
The Lords backed the so-called Dubs amendment to the EU
Withdrawal Agreement Bill in 2020, which aimed to protect the rights of child refugees after Brexit. This amendment was then rejected by the House of Commons.
-The House of Lords can also amend legislation, although its decisions can be reversed in the House of Commons.
The Conservative Party dropped plans to relax Sunday trading laws in England after 27 Tory backbenchers sided with the opposition in 2016.
-The government may face a backbench rebellion.
In December 2020 the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee criticised the government for a lack of effective planning’ in rolling out gigabit-capable broadband.
-The departmental select committees have become increasingly effective in calling government to account.
David Cameron allowed Conservative MPs a free vote on legalising gay marriage.
-When the government allows a free vote, Mps or peers may vote according to their beliefs rather than party allegiance.
The increase in the number of urgent questions has forced ministers to answer before Parliament at shorter notice and at more frequent intervals.
-Ministers are obliged to present themselves before Parliament to account for their decisions and policies.
The increase in the number of urgent questions has forced ministers to answer before Parliament at shorter notice and at more frequent intervals.
Ways in which the executive can control the Parliament
The government usually enjoys the support of the majority of MPs in the House of Commons. It can expect to win virtually every critical vote.
The patronage of the prime minister demands the loyalty of most of their party’s MPs. So too do the influence and sanctions of the whips.
The government controls the legislative process and can block most amendments from the floors of the Commons and Lords.
The House of Lords can delay but cannot veto legislation.
The Salisbury Convention means that the Lords cannot block legislation for which the government has an electoral mandate.
executive controlling Parliament
The government usually enjoys the support of the majority of MPs in the House of Commons. It can expect to win virtually every critical vote.
Boris Johnson’s 80-seat Commons majority allowed his government to introduce a post-lockdown system of tiers for different parts of the country, despite misgivings from backbenchers.
executive controlling Parliament
The patronage of the prime minister demands the loyalty of most of their party’s MPs. So too do the influence and sanctions of the whips.
The removal of the whip in September 2019 from 21 Conservative MPs who voted against the government on Brexit showcased how the prime minister can not only reward loyalty but also punish those who are disloyal.
executive controlling Parliament
The government controls the legislative process and can block most amendments from the floors of the Commons and Lords.
In 2020, the government overturned five House of Lords amendments to its Brexit bill before the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill was passed into law.
executive controlling Parliament
The House of Lords can delay but cannot veto legislation.
The Parliament Act 1949 limits the Lords’ power of delay to one year.
