Structure & role of Parliament 2.1 - Parliament - UK Government

Question 1

Parliament

Answer 1

The British legislature, made up of the House of Commons, House of Lords and Monarch

Question 2

House of Commons

Answer 2

The primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters.

Question 3

House of Lords

Answer 3

The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters.

Question 4

Fixed Term Parliaments Act

Answer 4

2011 - General elections are supposed to be held at regular, 5 year intervals.

Question 5

When can an early election be held

Answer 5

If government loses vote of no confidence & PM cannot form another administration within 14 days
If 2/3 MPs support the motion for an early election

Question 6

Roughly how many backbenchers

Answer 6

About 3/4 of MPs

Question 7

Categories of peers

Answer 7

Hereditary
Life
Lords Spiritual

Question 8

Lords Spiritual

Answer 8

The 26 bishops of the Church of England who are members of the House of Lords for historic reasons

Question 9

Main functions of parliament

Answer 9

Passing legislation
Scrutinising executive
Providing ministers
Representing the electorate (Commons)

Question 10

Passing legislation (role of Parliament)

Answer 10

Most important function. Parliament is supreme legislative body in the UK

Question 11

What laws can House of Lords not interfere with?

Answer 11

Money bills - e.g. taxes - this is an exclusive power of the elected House of Commons

Question 12

Example of defeat of legislation

Answer 12

March 2016 Cameron’s plan to extend Sunday trading - there were Conservative rebels

Question 13

divisions

Answer 13

Parliamentary votes

Question 14

Three line whip

Answer 14

Written instruction for MPs to attend a division - underline 3 times = very important

Question 15

To have the whip withdrawn

Answer 15

To be suspended from the party and therefore have to serve as an independent - used for persistent rebels

Question 16

Party whips

Answer 16

Members of party who are responsible for ensuring MPs attend parliamentary votes (divisions) and stay in line

Question 17

Argument of overriding necessity

Answer 17

Government can use this to pass through legislation

Question 18

Example of using argument of overriding necessity

Answer 18

2005 Prevention of Terrorism Act - was passed in 18 days

Question 19

Parliamentary scrutiny (function of parliament)

Answer 19

Parliament has a responsibility to exercise oversight of the executive’s actions

Question 20

Methods of scrutiny

Answer 20

Questions to ministers
Select committees
Debates

Question 21

Select committees

Answer 21

Select committees in the Commons investigate and report on the activities of government departments. In the Lords they carry out topic-based inquiries

Question 22

Questions to ministers

Answer 22

E.g. Prime minister question time

Question 23

Criticism of PMQ

Answer 23

Criticised for being theatrical and largely a point-scoring exercise dominated by the PM and leader of the opposition

Question 24

Backbench Business Committee

Answer 24

Since 2010 this has allowed MPs to choose the topic of debate one day a week

Question 25

Providing ministers (function of parliament)

Answer 25

Ministers sit in one of the 2 houses.

Question 26

Representing the electorate (parliament function of the house of commons)

Answer 26

MPs represent their constituencies however they use their own judgement to make decisions. MPs are expected to respond to issues raised by constituents (e.g. a lot of the MPs who voted against HS2 represented constituencies which would be affected

Question 27

House of Lords representative

Answer 27

Not representative as not elected. More than half of its members are over 70

Question 28

How effectively does parliament perform its representative function?

Answer 28

Party loyalty, desire for promotion may come into conflict with the needs of the constituency - however they can often skilfully manage this

Question 29

Is Commons representative of society

Answer 29

10% of house were ethnic minorities - 13% irl

34% women v 51% of population