The relationship between the executive and parliament 4.2

Question 1

Elective dictatorship

Answer 1

a government that dominates parliament, usually due to a large majority, and therefore has few limits on its power.

Question 2

what was a moment where elective dictatorship has been shown

Answer 2

2003 - Blair removing lord chancellor without any prior consultation = elected with 40% of vote

Question 3

Executive dominance has tended to arise as a result of what combination of factors?

Answer 3

• FPTP = large parliamentary majority based on a small share of the popular vote - SINGLE PARTY
• whip system
• government domination of the legislative timetable
• Salisbury convention and the Parliament Acts to limit opposition

Question 4

what does an uncodefied constitution mean for the executive

Answer 4

the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty effectively means that the Commons is the main chamber, and whoever controls the Commons is the dominant force in the political system.

Question 5

how does parliament hold the executive into account

Answer 5

• parliamentarian rebellions and government defeats = though rare
• Parliament’s scrutiny of other government activities (notably done by select committees) = don’t listen to them a lot though
• vote of no confidence = has not happened since 1979