revision

Question 1

define parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 1

Parliament has ultimate power

Question 2

define confidence and supply

Answer 2

is where a party will support the government voting their way in change for support (eg money)

Question 3

define parliamentary privilege

Answer 3

freedom of speech and the right of both Houses to regulate their own affairs

Question 4

define backbenchers

Answer 4

A member of Parliament who does not belong to the party in Government

Question 5

define private member bills

Answer 5

private member bills are public bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers.

Question 6

what is a party whip

Answer 6

They ensure party discipline

Question 7

what is a life peer

Answer 7

Member of Lords whose title cannot be inherited

Question 8

who is current speaker of the house

Answer 8

Lindsey Hoyle

Question 9

parliament not effective at checks and balances

Answer 9

May bombing Syria in 2018
Johnson changing punishment for IMR

Question 10

recent important legislation

Answer 10

‘Stop the Boats’

double the maximum sentences for the most egregious forms of tax fraud from 7 to 14 years (Autumn budget)

Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Act 2023

Question 11

what is Salisbury convention

Answer 11

The Lords are not allowed to oppose any second or third reading legislation that is on the governments manifesto

Question 12

examples of parliamentary scrutiny

Answer 12

Privileges committee V Johnson 2023

Amber Rudd + Braverman V Home Affairs committee (2018 and 2021)

Johnson V PartyGate 2021

Question 13

key members of the Lords

Answer 13

Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Justin Welby)

Lord Adonis (Labour)

Lord Dannatt
(crossbencher)

Question 14

what is bicameral

Answer 14

2 chambers in legislative

Question 15

when was vote of no confidence and against who

Answer 15

Jan 2019 against Theresa
May’s government. Won 325-306

Question 16

Lords scrutiny examples

Answer 16

Children and Families Act (2014)
Tax Credit Cuts U-turn (2015)

Question 17

PMQs

Answer 17

held every Wednesday, PM and party in power is scrutinised by parliament

Question 18

what is ping pong politics

Answer 18

the passage of legislation between the Commons and the Lords as they try and agree amendments.

Question 19

parliament weakness

Answer 19

21 whips sacked by Johnson in 2019 because of disagreements over Brexit deal

Johnson proroguing parliament

Question 20

Lords bad

Answer 20

Lords are an non elected body so no democratic validity

overpowered by Commons because of unelected nature

can only delay legislation for 1 year

some members are not politically involved so even less democratic validity

Question 21

what is the BBBC

Answer 21

gives backbenchers greater control over government. Aim was for the committee to schedule the commons’ timetable leading to more crossparty corporations thus leading to effective scrutiny of the government

Question 22

BBBC weakness

Answer 22

Its votes are non-binding, so can’t table bills, less time to discuss important topics to be debated as they have to also discuss e-petitions.

Question 23

Tory MP who questioned Braverman (Home Affairs committee)

Answer 23

Tim Loughton

Question 24

Tory MP who questioned Johnson (privileges committee)

Answer 24

Bernard Jenkin

Question 25

Cleverly apology

Answer 25

James Cleverly made to apologise after making comment about MP constituency