The main functions of the House of Commons 2 (Representation, Debate and Providing Government)

Question 1

What ensures a strong relationship between MP’s and constituencies

Answer 1

Accountable to their constituencies (represents them in Parliament, involved in the community and holding local surgeries)

Question 2

Although MPs represents their constituents, what does this mean they should not solely focus on?

Answer 2

This does not mean that MPs must do exactly as the majority of their constituents want- this would make them simply delegates. Instead MP’s should balance the interests of their constituents with the demands of the party and dictates of their own conscience

Question 3

What is an important part of MP’s constituency/ representative role ?

Answer 3

Will thoroughly engage with local issues involving their constituents, both individually and collectively

Question 4

Give an example of MPs getting involved with local issues and representing these interests in parliament

Answer 4

In 2018, eight Conservative MP’s disobeyed a three- line whip to vote against the expansion of Heathrow Airport- they all represent constituencies which will be affected by the planned expansion

Question 5

What is another important part of MP’s constituency/ representative role ?

Answer 5

An important part of an MP’s workload is to spend time in the constituency

They discuss constituents concerns in regular surgeries and become thoroughly involved in the life of the community

Question 6

What were Tony Benn comments on constituency work ?

Answer 6

Tony Benn (who served as a MP for 50 years) called constituency work the hardest but most satisfying part of his job ‘In my constituency, everyone i met was a employer’

Question 7

What do critics of representation argue ?

Answer 7

The commons is not sufficiently reflective of the social configuration of the UK today since it is too dominated by middle class men

Question 8

Give some examples of the unrepresentative nature of the HOC in terms of women

Answer 8

Only 35% are women

Question 9

Give some examples of the unrepresentative nature of the HOC in terms of ethnic minority MPs in the Conservative party

Answer 9

6% of Conservative MPs are of a ethnic minority

Question 10

Give some examples of the unrepresentative nature of the HOC in terms of the education of MPs

Answer 10

Twenty-one percent went to either Oxford or Cambridge and a further third to one of the elite Russell Group universities.

Question 11

Give some examples of the unrepresentative nature of the HOC in terms of the background of Labour MP’s

Answer 11

Only 23% of Labour members fall into the categories that include skilled/unskilled manual workers, lower-grade workers and the unemployed – as opposed to just under 40% of the population as a whole

Question 12

How many MPs are white men over the aged of 40

Answer 12

62%

Question 13

How else can the House of Commons seen to be unrepresentative in terms of the Whips ?

Answer 13

The way in which MP’s are expected to follow the dictates of their whips in both parliamentary and committee votes can thus result in badly thought- through legislation - does not represent constituents

Question 14

How can the argument of the unrepresentative nature of the HOC be countered with the newly elected makeup of the chamber ?

Answer 14

The membership of the House of Commons that was elected in 2017 was the most representative of women and ethnic minorities in the history of the house

Half of the 26 new Labour MPs are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

One in five Labour MPs are now black or minority ethnic

220 women MP’s now in 2019

Question 15

Why can the argument of critics who explain who the nature of the house is unrepresentative be countered ?

Answer 15

It can also be said that it is simplistic to argue that an MP has to share the same characteristics as his or her constituents in order to be able to represent them effectively

Question 16

Examples of debates within the HOC

Answer 16

Can debate Private Members Bills

Can debate issues which the believe are important during opposition days, adjournment debates or early day motions

The government cans also raise issues for debate
(commiting british troops for military action)

MP’s can request early debate
(Theresa may failure to consult the House of Commons over military strikes in Syria 2018)

Debates allowing MP’s to weigh the impact of private bills (law which would effect everyone within its jurisdiction)
(Heathrow third runway)

Most proposals by the executive, such as committing British troops to military action, will also generate full-scale debates

Question 17

Why is the effect of debate disputed ?

Answer 17

MPs can be just as much swayed by their whips as by arguments

Adjournment debates can often be in front of an empty chamber

May debates, eg- e-petitions and oppositions day motions, lack the force to change the law

Is it genuine- a lot of MP’s vote along party lines (conservative MP’s vote with the government and Labour MP’s vote against the government)

Question 18

In counter argument to the above points concerning the unpersuasive nature of debate, how can this be evaluated ?

Answer 18

MPs can be independent- minded and strong arguments can determine the result for debates

Question 19

Example of debates being effective

Answer 19

Tony Blair failed to make the case for the detention of terror suspects over 90 days

In 2013 David Cameron was defeated over military intervention in Syria against President Assad

Theresa may- when MPs were voting freely, lots of debate

Question 20

Is the British system of politics fused or separate and what does this mean for the makeup of the executive ?

Answer 20

The British system works in such ways that the legislature and the executive are fused- the legislature provides the executive

There is a convention that the major office holders in government are members of the HOC because this chamber possess democratic legitimacy

Question 21

Due to the fusion of powers, what can MP’s do to get into the executive ?

Answer 21

MP’s have the opportunity to prove their abilities in the legislature and so can persuade the executive of their fitness for government

Parliamentary proving ground

Question 22

Example of MP’s impressing their leader during a parliamentary session ?

Answer 22

When Conservative MP Iann Macleod impressed Winston Chrucill in parliamentary debate, Churchill demanded that he be in the government

Question 23

Counter argument of parliament acting as a proving ground ?

Answer 23

A prime minister cannot always appoint on talent, since it’s also important to take into account the importance of balancing government between rival factions