Session 5, Influences On Parliment

Question 1

Name and describe 3 advantages of law making

Answer 1

• democratic process: laws made by elected representatives
• certainty: laws made by parliament are definitive and cannot be challenged
• judicial limitations: judges can only change law in specific areas

Question 2

Name and describe 3 disadvantages of law making

Answer 2

• time constraints: Parliament struggles to address all proposed reform
• complexity: acts of parliament are often lengthy and complicated
• control over timetable: government control’s parliamentary agenda, limiting time for private member bill

Question 3

Name the 5 influences on parliament

Answer 3

• political influences
• public opinion
• pressure groups
• lobbying
• law reform bodies

Question 4

Describe political influences on parliament and their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 4

• party with most seats forms government and has 5 years to implement reforms
• A: govt. has majority in HoC so virtually all laws will be passed
• D: if new party is elected they may repeal previous passed laws

Question 5

Describe public opinions influences on parliament and their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 5

• govt. may respond to strong public opinion
• A: events can shape public opinions e.g Dunblane massacre 1996
• D: govt may respond too quickly so law isn’t thought through properly

Question 6

Describe pressure groups and their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 6

• groups with specific interests that seeks to influence govt. policies
• A: may make government reconsider law
• D: inequalities with pressure groups due to resources

Question 7

Name and describe the 2 types of pressure groups

Answer 7

• sectional pressure groups: represent certain groups, often work related
• cause pressure groups: promote particular causes

Question 8

Describe lobbying and their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 8

• pressure groups convince MP’s to support their cause and discuss in parliament
• A: wide range of issues drawn to attention of govt
• D: seeking to impose ideas majority of public don’t agree with

Question 9

Describe law reform and their advantages and disadvantages

Answer 9

• official bodies who review and recommend legal reforms
• A: areas of law a researched by expert
• D: govt. doesn’t implement reform it suggests

Question 10

What is the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy?

Answer 10

1. Parliament can legislate any subject matter
2. No parliament can be bound by previous parliament
3. No other body has the right to override act of parliament

Question 11

Who wrote the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy?

Answer 11

Dicey

Question 12

What are the practicalities of Parliamentary supremacy?

Answer 12

• no limits to laws they can make
• cannot bind successor
• cannot be overruled
• legislating on any subject matter

Question 13

What are the limitations on parliamentary supremacy?

Answer 13

• EU law takes priority of British law
• devolution- Scotland and wales make own laws
• all acts must be compatible with human rights act