Scrutiny + representation

Question 1

Main ways HoC scrutinises government

Answer 1

• PMQs + general questioning - every Weds
• departmental select committees
• votes of no confidence
• blocking bills from passing

Question 2

Vote of no confidence

Answer 2

rare - last successful in 1979 against Callaghan
May - survived in 2019 due to DUP confidence and supply deal - won 325 to 306 votes

Question 3

how does vote of no confidence work sometimes?

Answer 3

the PM usually resigns shortly after - May 2019 May resigned after vote was in Jan.
Johnson resigned in July 2022 after vote in June (211 votes to 148)

Question 4

3 models of representation

Answer 4

• trustee model
• delegate model
• doctrine of mandate

Question 5

trustee model

Answer 5

act on behalf of constituents - MP knows best

Question 6

delegate model

Answer 6

Mp is messenger of constituents - Constituents know best

Question 7

doctrine of mandate

Answer 7

party knows best

Question 8

makeup of HoL

Answer 8

2021 - below 30% women, approx 5% LGBT, over 50% privately educated - not rep the UK

Question 9

makeup of HoC

Answer 9

2021 - below 40% women, approx 7.5% LGBT, over 50% state educated

Question 10

makeup of the UK

Answer 10

2021 - 51% women, 10% LGBT, 6% privately educated -so neither HoC or HoL are representative of the UK population

Question 11

advantages of HoL for scrutiny

Answer 11

• time to do it
• not worried about re election like members of HoC - for life
• appointments based on merit and offer wisdom and informed advice
• cross benchers make it difficult for the government to dominate the HoL

Question 12

meritocracy example

Answer 12

Baroness Barker, a current life peer in the House of Lords, was the president of the National Association of Care Catering, meaning she can now provide insight and expertise on any laws to do with the elderly or care and welfare.

Question 13

Sunak defeats in HoL

Answer 13

• Sept 2023 on laws of river pollution in order to build new houses
• string of defeats over small boats bill - ‘ping pong’ over the bill to deport illegal immigrants back to hime country

Question 14

what is parliamentary privilege?

Answer 14

Special protection that MPs and peers have when they are engaged in parliamentary business - can’t be prosecuted or sued for libel or slander for any actions taken within Palace of Westminster.

Question 15

Sir Philip Green scandal

Answer 15

took out a injunction to protect him from allegations of sexual abuse.
Lord Hain, using parliamentary privilege, brought his name to light and the #MeToo movement.

Question 16

scrutiny of parliamentary privilege

Answer 16

good because it allows all sorts of topics to be discussed, but bad because it means MPs and Peers are exempt of Rule of law which is not democratic