section 6: Parliament

Question 1

Fusion of powers and divisions within the main opposition make it difficult to challenge government bills

Answer 1

Boris Johnson’s EU withdrawal bill had 358 for and 234 against (124 majority)

Question 2

When government only has slim majority easier for parliament to be more rebellious and amend/defeat government bills

Answer 2

Theresa May’s EU withdrawal bill 2017
had 33 defeats

Question 3

The House of Lords has become more defiant arguably improving the quality of laws passed

Answer 3

The Public Order Bill 2023

Question 4

House of Lords is restricted by the Parliament Acts and amendments can often be overturned

Answer 4

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 had Lords amendments overturned due to 1911 Parliament Act (money bills)

Question 5

Temporary Public Bills Committees scrutinise each Bill after 2nd reading

Answer 5

Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill 2021 was dropped after committee stage

Question 6

Membership of Public Bill Committees is largely controlled by party whips

Answer 6

2004 Higher Education Bill committee only had 1 rebellious labour MP despite there being 72

Question 7

Backbenchers can introduce Private Member Bills to parliament

Answer 7

402 since 1983 Pet Abduction Bill 2023-4 by Anna Firth

Question 8

Private Members Bills are restricted

Answer 8

13 Fridays a year

Question 9

Party discipline and the whip system restricts amount of PMBs that can be timetabled

Answer 9

1997-2010 only 7 gov-backed bills failed to pass through parliament

Question 10

Backbenchers are needed for government scrutiny

Answer 10

c.30% of select committee suggestions taken up by gov. e.g. Charlotte Hogg resigned from Deputy Governor of the Bank of England after Treasury Select committee found hadn’t disclosed conflict of interest with her brother working at Barclays 2017

Question 11

Vast majority of select committee decisions are ignored

Answer 11

David Cameron ignored select committee reports on drug legislation in 2015

Question 12

Best people aren’t always chosen for select committees leading to consensus politics

Answer 12

Ken Livingstone never chaired a select committee due to disagreements with party bosses (thought New Labour was too central) despite having lots of parliament experience(14yrs)

Question 13

Parliament is not demographically representative

Answer 13

29% went to private school vs. 7% of population, 51% of UK female vs. 34% of MPs elected in 2019

Question 14

Role of select committees in scrutinising government legislation

Answer 14

2016 Department for Business and Welfare criticised gov. for not calling out Sports Direct for breaking 2010 National Wage Act - Sports Direct compensated workers