the main functions of parliament - passing legislature 2.1

Question 1

what are the three main roles of parliament

Answer 1

• passing legislature
• scrutiny of the executive (including debating)
• providing ministers

Question 2

what laws can the House of Commons pass that the House of Lords cannot

Answer 2

• consent to taxation
• house of lords cannot interfere with ‘money bills’ = right to amend non-financial legislation

Question 3

what is the difference between government and parliament

Answer 3

GOVERNMENT = consists of the executive branch, including the Prime Minister (or President), ministers, and departments that implement laws and policies

PARLIAMENT = consists of elected representatives of the two houses

Question 4

what do backbenches rarely do compared to frontbenchers

Answer 4

• most legislation is initiated by the government
• Parliament reacts to measures by executive, rather than developing its own legislative proposals
• rarely able to defeat or significantly amend legislation.

Question 5

what is a party whip and what do they do

Answer 5

• responsible for ensuring that MPs attend parliamentary votes (known as ‘divisions’)
• granting leave of absence if their vote is not essential.
• They issue MPs with a written instruction to attend – also known as a ‘whip’ – which indicates how important it is for an MP to be present.

Question 6

what is a ‘three-line whip’

Answer 6

BRO YOU HAAAAVE TO BE HEREEE (bro where are you…)

Question 7

how do party whips entice MPs to go vote

Answer 7

• offer the prospect of ministerial posts
• impose sanctions on those who do not accept the party line

Question 8

what do whips do to ‘rebels’

Answer 8

• may have the whip withdrawn = effectively suspended from the party and have to sit as an independent.
• if for scandalous reasons = will be expulsed from party if they have tarnished the reputation of the party too much