revision Flashcards
define parliamentary sovereignty
Parliament has ultimate power
define confidence and supply
is where a party will support the government voting their way in change for support (eg money)
define parliamentary privilege
freedom of speech and the right of both Houses to regulate their own affairs
define backbenchers
A member of Parliament who does not belong to the party in Government
define private member bills
private member bills are public bills introduced by MPs and Lords who are not government ministers.
what is a party whip
They ensure party discipline
what is a life peer
Member of Lords whose title cannot be inherited
who is current speaker of the house
Lindsey Hoyle
parliament not effective at checks and balances
May bombing Syria in 2018
Johnson changing punishment for IMR
recent important legislation
‘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
what is Salisbury convention
The Lords are not allowed to oppose any second or third reading legislation that is on the governments manifesto
examples of parliamentary scrutiny
Privileges committee V Johnson 2023
Amber Rudd + Braverman V Home Affairs committee (2018 and 2021)
Johnson V PartyGate 2021
key members of the Lords
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (Justin Welby)
Lord Adonis (Labour)
Lord Dannatt
(crossbencher)
what is bicameral
2 chambers in legislative
when was vote of no confidence and against who
Jan 2019 against Theresa
May’s government. Won 325-306
Lords scrutiny examples
Children and Families Act (2014)
Tax Credit Cuts U-turn (2015)
PMQs
held every Wednesday, PM and party in power is scrutinised by parliament
what is ping pong politics
the passage of legislation between the Commons and the Lords as they try and agree amendments.
parliament weakness
21 whips sacked by Johnson in 2019 because of disagreements over Brexit deal
Johnson proroguing parliament
Lords bad
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
what is the BBBC
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
BBBC weakness
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.
Tory MP who questioned Braverman (Home Affairs committee)
Tim Loughton
Tory MP who questioned Johnson (privileges committee)
Bernard Jenkin
Cleverly apology
James Cleverly made to apologise after making comment about MP constituency
