The composition of the House of Commons Flashcards
What are backbench MPs and explain their roles
MPs who aren’t part of the executive and who sit behind the front bench in the HOC
What are MP’s highly likely to be connected to
Highly likely to be connected to a political party - since the development of the party system during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the vast majority of MPs elected to parliament represent a political party
What is an independent candidate and give an example
A member of the HOC who isn’t part of a political party
been some examples of independent candidates such as Corbyn, however, such instances are rare and often depend on local conditions which may count against establishment parties
Explain the role of backbenchers
Can act how they please (vote how they want however most will vote with their paties)
Will question the executive
Can influence and amend legislation
Represents us (raise your issue in parliament)
Decides whether laws are passed
What are frontbench MP’s ?
MP’s who have been invited to join the government by the prime minister as senior ministers, junior ministers or permanent private secretary
This means they are present and must publicly support government policies (however the backbenchers don’t)
Do the opposition party also have a front bench ?
Yes, the main opposition party will also have its own shadow front bench team, where their members will scrutinise government counterparts
What is the job of the Whip
Their job is to make sure backbenchers vote the correct way and to maintain party discipline - encourage their MP’s to support party lines, as well as resort back any potential large scale rebellions which might encourage the party leadership to modify its position in order to avoid defeat
Why is it important for the Whip to maintain party discipline?
Although elected on Party Manifesto, MP’s also represent the interests of their constituents, and as Edmund Burke explained, they should also act in accordance to their own judgement- As a result, the parliamentary leadership needs to keep tight control as possible of its MPs, as without, party would break down
What do the Whips do each week in terms of getting people to vote along party lines?
Send out an official document each week explaining to backbenchers what they need to vote for
On especially important issues, what procedure is issued ?
On especially important issues, a three line whip will be issues which requires all MP’s to attend vote and to vote accordance to the demands of the leadership
What are the consequences for MP’s who disobeys whips ?
If MPs refuse, they may have the party whip withdrawn from them, which means they lose their membership of the parliamentary party
Who was the Whip under Theresa May
Julian Smith- whip during Theresa May’s reign (responsible for the getting MP”s to vote for Theresa May’s brexit deal but failed)
What is the role of the speaker ?
his or her role is to ensure that Parliament runs effectively
Also has a disciplinary function and if MPs are deliberately abusive or disobedient they can be suspended
Impartial- the speaker does not engage in political debate
How does the speaker ensure that Parliament is run effectively ?
The speaker arranges parliamentary business with the leaders of the main political parties, ensures that proper procedure is followed and presides over debates in the HOC
Also has a disciplinary function and if MPs are deliberately abusive or disobedient they can be suspended
How is the speaker elected and why is this important ?
Since the election of John Bercow in 2009, the speaker has been elected by a secret ballot of all MPs (meaning they are generally experienced and claim respect from MP’s on all sides of the House
