The relationship between parliament and the executive

Question 1

What is the difference between pre-eminence and pre-dominance?

Answer 1

Pre-eminence is the power that all PMs have and pre-dominace comes from how well they use this power

Question 2

Define pre-eminence

Answer 2

The idea that the PM sits at the top because power comes with the job

Question 3

Define pre-dominance

Answer 3

The idea that a PM can command from the top because they use their pre-eminent powers effectively

Question 4

List three examples of pre-eminence

Answer 4

• The PM is the legal head of government
• They have a PM’s office
• The PM can set the agenda

Question 5

List 4 things that can afford a PM pre-dominant powers

Answer 5

• Reputation for leadership
• Success record
• Personal popularity
• Party standing

Question 6

What is the sophisticated answer to the question of whether the position of PM has become more powerful?

Answer 6

The PM gained more power after WWII. It is not the position that has become more powerful since then, rather it is the holders of the position who have become more adept at using the powers invested in them and partly because of the media promoting the position more

Question 7

What does Andrew Heywood say about the power of the PM?

Answer 7

The post is what the holder chooses to make of it, or is able to make of it

Question 8

Look at the permanent powers and limitations grid in politics folder

Answer 8

!!!!

Question 9

What does it mean for the executive to dominate parliament?

Answer 9

Parliament does what the executive says

Question 10

Where is the executive drawn from and accountable to?

Answer 10

Parliament

Question 11

What did people often see the UK as when the executive was extremely dominant under the Thatcher and Blair governments?

Answer 11

An elective dictatorship

Question 12

What does it mean for there to be an elective dictatorship?

Answer 12

The idea that when the government is elected with a strong mandate it becomes extremely powerful and there is little that parliament can do to stop them due to the weakness of the lords and the obedience of MPs to party whips

Question 13

Why is there now a greater balance between parliament and the executive?

Answer 13

• Constitutional reforms bestowing greater power to parliament
• Minority and coalition governments

Question 14

What two conficting doctrines have caused conflict between parliament and the executive?

Answer 14

Parliamentary sovereignty and the idea that the government has a mandate to carry out his manifesto promises

Question 15

What do some people argue is the problem with parliament exercising its sovereignty?

Answer 15

It is frustrating the democratic legitimacy of the government

Question 16

How is the dispute between parliamentary sovereignty and government mandates resolved?

Answer 16

The executive is drawn from the legislature and will often enjoy a parliamentary majority

Question 17

List the two main ways that the powers of the lords have been limited?

Answer 17

The parliament acts and the Salisbury convention

Question 18

How did the 1911 parliament act limit the power of the lords?

Answer 18

It prevented the lords from having any control on tax and spend and stated that if a law is passed in the commons in two consecutive laws then the lords can no longer block it

Question 19

How did the 1949 parliament act limit the power of the lords?

Answer 19

It stated that the delaying powers of the lords should be reduced to one year

Question 20

When was the Salisbury Convention developed?

Answer 20

The 1940s

Question 21

How did the Salisbury Convention limit the power of the lords?

Answer 21

It stated that the lords could not block legislation that was part of the winning party’s manifesto; the unelected lords cannot thwart the elected will of the executive and the commons

Question 22

List the controls that parliament has on the executive

Answer 22

• If the government doesn’t have a mandate for a policy, the commons can veto it unless the government can get a majority of MPs to vote in favour
• It can amend legislation to protect minorities
• It can call the government and ministers to account through question times and select committees
• Parliament can dismiss the government and force a general election through a vote of no confidence
• Backbench MPs can express concerns about legislation through the whips’ office
  -MPs and lords can rebel against the government as they are only prevented from doing so by conventions
• If there is vocal opposition, the government would rather withdraw the proposal than risk defeat in the commons

Question 23

What is the benefit of the government being scrutinised by parliament in things like question times and committees?

Answer 23

Because errors and injustices can be exposed

Question 24

Why is it wrong to look for a hard and fast answer as to whether parliament or the executive is dominant?

Answer 24

Because it changes depending on the circumstances

Question 25

How was Boris Johnson a good case study for how circumstances impact whether parliament or the executive is dominant?

Answer 25

In the early days, parliament dominated the executive to the point that they forced Johnson to ask for Brexit extensions against his will. However, the executive became dominant after the 2019 GE due to the commons being willing to follow a government with a strong mandate. Johnson and Patel also declined to appear before liaison committees, which limited parliaments ability to hold the executive to account

Question 26

List the main circumstances that allow parliament to dominate the executive

Answer 26

• If the executive does not have a clear mandate
• If the governing party is divided
• If the cabinet is divided
• If the issues being addressed are controversial
• If the executive has a small or no majority
• If the executive has a poor popular image
• If parliament is mostly filled with well-established MPs
• If the executive is seen as a liability rather than an asset by its own MPs

Question 27

Give an example of a time where the circumstances for parliamentary dominance were in place?

Answer 27

During the minority government of 2017-19

Question 28

List the three reasons why parliament can dominate the executive during a time of minority government

Answer 28

• Most proposals have to be negotiated with individual MPs from all parties to try and ensure majority support
• The government constantly faces the possibility of defeat
• Small numbers of MPs can gain tremendous influence and can make demands from the executive in order to secure their votes

Question 29

Why does parliamentary sovereignty exist in theory more than it does in practise?

Answer 29

Because it is almost never exercised to the full; with the normal reality being that the executive dominates parliament

Question 30

List the key circumstances that allow the executive to dominate parliament

Answer 30

• Large parliamentary majority
• United party
• Clear mandate
• United cabinet
• Having lots of new MPs who will rely on the help and support of the whips
• PM coattails; a popular leader helping MPs win seats they may not have done otherwise
• Uncontroversial issues
• A popular media image for the PM and the executive

Question 31

List some times when power has shifted towards the executive due to a large majority

Answer 31

• 1983
• 1987
• 1997
• 2001
• 2019

Question 32

List some times when power has shifted towards the executive due to the government being united around a common ideology

Answer 32

• 1983-89: conservatives under Thatcherism
• 1997-2005: Labour under the third way
• 2019: The conservatives under pro-Brexit

Question 33

List some times when power has shifted towards the executive due to the opposition being fragmented or weak

Answer 33

• 1983-92: Labour being split between its left and right flanks
• 2015-20: Labour being split under Corbyn’s leadership

Question 34

List some times when power has shifted towards the executive due to the government having a dominant leader

Answer 34

• 1979-89: conservatives under Thatcher
• 1997-2003: labour under Blair

Question 35

List some times when power has shifted towards parliament due to the government lacking a clear majority

Answer 35

• 1992: 21 seat conservative majority
• 2010: two party coalition
• 2015: 12 seat conservative majority
• 2017: minority government

Question 36

List some times when power has shifted towards parliament due to the governing party being split on issues

Answer 36

• 1992-97: John Major’s conservatives being split over Europe
• 2010-15: coalition split over Europe
• 2017-19: Divisions over the nature of Brexit and a second referendum

Question 37

List some times when power has shifted towards parliament due to the government facing a strong opposition

Answer 37

• 1994-97: The conservatives faced a united New Labour
• 2008-10: Brown faced a more united conservative party

Question 38

List some times when power has shifted towards parliament due to the leader of the governing party lacking authority and popularity

Answer 38

• 1989-90: the conservatives under Thatcher
• 1994-97: the conservatives under Major
• 2003-07: labour under Blair
• 2008-10: labour under Brown
• 2017-19: the conservatives under May

Question 39

List the three procedural devices that can allow the executive to dominate parliament

Answer 39

• Patronage
• Party whips
• The national platform

Question 40

How does patronage allow the executive to dominate parliament?

Answer 40

The fact that the PM controls government appointments and dismissals means they can influence their MPs. Those who regularly cause the government problems are unlikely to be promoted to ministerial office, therefore concentrating their mind on party loyalty

Question 41

How do party whips allow the executive to control parliament?

Answer 41

They organise timetables and allocate offices and other administrative tasks in order to help their MPs. An obstructive MP may have the whip removed, which could be damaging for their career. They also act as a reminder of prime ministerial patronage and how important party loyalty is

Question 42

How does the national platform allow the executive to dominate parliament?

Answer 42

The PM has a national media profile and can speak directly to the public. They may use this to put pressure on MPs by promoting the position of the executive over parliament’s

Question 43

Give an example of the executive using the national platform to influence parliament not working

Answer 43

When Theresa May made a national televised address saying she was trying to deliver the will of the people and parliament was blocking it, nothing seemed to change, despite Theresa May trying to make it an issue of parliament vs the people

Question 44

What has been the general trend in the relationship since the 1960s?

Answer 44

A movement towards greater executive power at the expense of parliament

Question 45

What two factors have led to the change in relationship between parliament and the executive since the 1960s?

Answer 45

• General circumstances; like the media putting greater emphasis on the PM and executive meaning that they have a greater role in the public eye
• More deliberate constitutional reforms brought about with the intention of reigning in an ever more dominant executive

Question 46

List some of the constitutional changes that have altered the power balance between the executive and parliament

Answer 46

• The removal of hereditary peers
• Creation of the BBBC
• Elected select committee chairs and members
• Growing power of the Liaison Committee
• The Fixed Term Parliament Act

Question 47

How has the removal of most hereditary peers shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 47

The removal of hereditary peers combined with ensuring that no party has an inbuilt majority has made the lords more confident of its legitimacy and therefore more willing to act as a check on the executive

Question 48

How has the creation of the BBBC shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 48

It has allowed backbench MPs more control over the parliamentary timetable to do things like holds debates and introduce private members’ bills that they may not have otherwise been able to

Question 49

How has the election of select committee chairs shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 49

It has reduced the ability of whips to influence select committees. The additional salary they receive means the position now attracts a higher standard of MP, as it is a viable alternative career path to being part of the government

Question 50

How are select committee chairs elected?

Answer 50

Through a secret ballot of the whole house

Question 51

How has the election of select committee members shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 51

Party MPs can vote for which fellow party MPs will sit on a select committee - thus reducing the influence of the whips

Question 52

How has the growing power of the Liaison Committee shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 52

Since 2002, the PM appears before it for scrutiny two times per year, giving parliament more scope to scrutinise the executive

Question 53

How has the Fixed Term Parliament Act shifted the power dynamic between the executive and parliament?

Answer 53

It removed the prerogative power of the PM to call an early election when they wanted to; the PM instead has to gain the consent of two thirds of the commons, meaning parliament has gained some power over the executive with regards to this process

Question 54

Why are these constitutional reforms in favour of parliament weak and marginal?

Answer 54

• The Lords can still not veto the executive
• Select Committees still have a majority of government MPs sitting on them and have no power to enforce their rulings
• Johnson and Patel both declined to appear in front of the Liaison Committee
• The Liaison Committee can only question, not instruct
• The BBBC only has control over 23 parliamentary days and bills and debates will not make an impact without government support
• On the two occasions since 2011 that the PM has asked for an early election, it has been granted, showing that the FTPA has done little to change the balance of power

Question 55

Make the case that the balance of power has shifted towards parliament in recent years

Answer 55

• Parliament is achieving significant influence over foreign and military policy, even voting against some military interventions
• Select Committees are increasingly influential and have come under backbench control
• The Liaison Committee is increasingly willing to hold the PM to account
• No large and decisive government majority between 2010-19
• The lords has become increasingly proactive and obstructive

Question 55

Make the case that the balance of power has shifted towards parliament in recent years

Answer 55

• Parliament is achieving significant influence over foreign and military policy, even voting against some military interventions
• Select Committees are increasingly influential and have come under backbench control
• The Liaison Committee is increasingly willing to hold the PM to account
• No large and decisive government majority between 2010-19
• The lords has become increasingly proactive and obstructive

Question 56

Make the case that the balance of power hasn’t shifted towards parliament in recent years

Answer 56

• The conservatives won a large and decisive majority in 2019
• All ministers, numbering over 100 government MPs, are bound by collective security
• The government still controls the legislative programme and the Public Bill Committees that propose amendments
• Prime ministerial patronage creates loyalty among the governing party’s MPs
• The government has a huge advantage in terms of resources, like media profile, advice and research, compared to MPs