Topic 2 - Parliament

Question 1

What is the UK Parliament made up of?

Answer 1

Commons, Lords

Question 2

How many MPss are in the commons?

Answer 2

650 MPs, elected at least every five years

Question 3

How many members are in the house of lords?

Answer 3

Around 800 - most life peers, but 92 hereditary

Question 4

What are the functions of Parliament?

Answer 4

1. Passes laws - but some legislative given to devolved assemblies
2. Scrutinise/check govt
3. Representation - constituencies/political party
4. Debate

Question 5

How does parliament scrutinise the govt?

Answer 5

1. MPs/peers ask questions e.g. PMQs
2. Debates - express views about govt actions
3. Select commitees - investigate/scrutinise actions by civil servants/ministers
4. Bills go through various stages - allows to suggest amendments
5. Vote of no confidence

Question 6

What are the advantages of PMQs?

Answer 6

1. Give positive publicity to opposition parties - e.g. Tonly Blair accused John Major in January 1997 of being “weak, weak, weak”
2. Allow unwelcome questions - can expose weaknesses e.g. PM Gordon Brown said “We not only saved the world” when he meant “saved the banks”
3. Keep PM on toes - Tony Blair recalled PMQs as “the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting… experience”
4. Members of own party can criticise PM - David Davis criticised PM on partygate

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of PMQs?

Answer 7

1. Rowdiness - e.g. PMQs July 2021 - Boris Johnson attacked labour “We vaccinate, they vacillate. We inoculate while they’re invertebrate”
2. 2014 - John Bercrow asked MPs to have moderate behaviour
3. Most questions designed to catch out opposition or praise own party instead of change opinions

Question 8

What are the advantages of parliamentary debates?

Answer 8

1. Allow free expression of views/opinions
2. Televised so public can watch/be informed = accessibility
3. Opportunity to change how MPs/peers vote

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of parliamentary debates?

Answer 9

1. Usually follow party
2. Some MPs use speeches to impress party leadership
3. Few votes changed by debates

Question 10

What are the advantages of select committees?

Answer 10

1. Less partisan/confrontational
2. Includes MPs from opposition
3. Can call witnesses from govt/outside
4. Govt must respond to reports within 60 days
5. Reports hard-hitting/influential e.g. 2018 Health Commitee recommended measures to reduce childhood obestity

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of select committees?

Answer 11

1. Governing party has majority
2. WItnesses can be evasive/elusive
3. Govt can ignore findings e.g. 2021 - govt rejected recommendations for Universal Credit from Work and Pensions Select Committee

Question 12

What are the advantages of scrutiny whilst drafting legislation?

Answer 12

1. Enabels bills to be checked/amended/discussed
2. Parliament can reject final bill

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of scrutiny of draft legislation?

Answer 13

1. Party loyalty - little chance of failing
2. Governing party has majority

Question 14

What are the advantages of a vote of non confidence?

Answer 14

Nuclear option - can bring down govt, Callaghan Labour govt in 1979

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of a vote of no confidence?

Answer 15

Unlikely to succceed - only unstable minority govt vulnerable

Question 16

What is an example of a private bill?

Answer 16

The New Southgate Cemetery Act 2017

Question 17

What is the Burkean (trustee) model?

Answer 17

Edmund Burke - electors should enturst MP with acting in best interests. MP trusted to vote and listen to views

Question 18

What is the delegate model?

Answer 18

Opposite - MPs are mouthpieces for constituents/entirely bound by wishes - MP voting against is unpopular

e.g. Zac Goldsmith stood down as Cons MP/resigned RIchmond Park seat in 2016 to fulfil promise made to voters about opposing runway for Heathrow

Question 19

What is mandate theory?

Answer 19

MPs elected primarily to carry out manifesto promises of party - prevelent model in modern British politics - given power/discipline of parties

Question 20

What is the role of MPs and peers?

Answer 20

1. Vote on legislation
2. Parliamentary committees
3. Serve in govt as minister/opposition
4. Contribute to debate/ask questions
5. Introduce own bills
6. Make media apperances
7. Enjoy parliamentary privilege

Question 21

What additional roles may MPs have?

Answer 21

1. Constituency casework
2. Surgeries - public meeting
3. Backbench rebellions
4. Selection of party leader
5. Democratic legitimacy to govt

Question 22

What additional role do peers hold?

Answer 22

1. Specialised insights in debates
2. Maintain independence
3. Revise/advise legislation

Question 23

What is the function and characteristics of public bill committees?

Answer 23

1. Go through bills - debate/suggest amendments
2. Temporary - meet only in when in committee stage

Question 24

What is the significance of public bill committees?

Answer 24

1. Ensure properly written
2. MPs, peers, interest groups suggest changes
3. Major changes unlikely as governing party has majority on committee

Question 25

What is the function and characteristics of commons select committees?

Answer 25

1. Provide general oversight into govt departments/actions 2. Less party political 3. Many chaired by opposition backbenchers 4. Select own areas for investigation/summon witnesses

Question 26

What is the significance of commons select committees?

Answer 26

1. Made up of just backbench MPs 2. Commitee chairs elected by MPs 3. Product reports to which govt muyst reply within 60 days 4. Govt not obliged to carry out findings/recommendations in reports 5. Generate media publicity 6. Individuals can refuse to appear - e.g. Mark Zuckerberg 2018 refused to attend select committeee investigating fake news - British citizens can be compelled to attend

Question 27

What is the function and characteristics of lords select committees?

Answer 27

1. Investigate specialist subjects - Lords' expertise 2. Main committees: science, communications. technology, economic, constitution, international relations

Question 28

What is the significance of lords select committees?

Answer 28

1. Contain speciaists in field 2. Governing party does not have majority

Question 29

What is the function and characteristics of public accounts committee?

Answer 29

1. Chaired by experienced opposition backbencher e.g. Mag Hiller 2022 2. Scrutinises value for money in public spend/efficiency

Question 30

What is the significance of the public accounts committee?

Answer 30

Covers wide range - effectiveness of NHS track and trace system during pandemic, cost of policing protests against HS2

Question 31

What is the characteristics and functions of the backbench business committee?

Answer 31

Selects topics for debate in parliament on days not given over to govt business Oversees e-petitions

Question 32

What is the significance of the backbench business committee?

Answer 32

1. Enables backbenches to have greater say 2. Examples: conflict in Yemen, Jobcentre Plus closures 3. Raise issues rather than generate legislation/govt action

Question 33

What is the functions and characteristics of the commons liason committee?

Answer 33

1. Chairs of all commons select commitees 2. Chaired by senior/independent backbencher of govt party 3. Chooses select committee reports for debate 4. Questions PM on public policy

Question 34

What is the significance of the commons liaison committee?

Answer 34

1. Provides measured way for MPs to make PM accountable 2. Coordinate roles 3. PM reluctant to appear - e.g. Boris Johnson postponed apperance in October 2019 4. No ability to force govt to change policy 5. Sir Bernard Jenkin chosen to be chair in 2020

Question 35

What are some examples of the significance of select committeees?

Answer 35

1. 2019-21: handling of covid-19 pandemic, cladding on Grenfell 2. Estimated 40% of recommendations accepted by govt - 2016 report by Work and Pensions Select Committee into collapse of retailer BHS led to being reported to Pensions Regulator

Question 36

What is the role of the opposition?

Answer 36

1. Scrutiny/criticism of govt policies/actions 2. Suggest amendments 3. Argue for alternatives 4. Provide "government-in waiting" 5. Nominate topics for debates on 20 days in each parliamentary session

Question 37

How does parliament influence government decisions?

Answer 37

1. Commiteee system/reports 2. Election of select commiteee chairs/members 3. Debates/questions 4. Backbench rebellions 5. Informal lobbying of ministers 6. Amending legislation e.g. Lords

Question 38

What are the limits to parliament's influence on govt?

Answer 38

1. Govt can ignore reports 2. Select committees poorly resources 3. Govt majorities - failure of backbench rebellion 4. Party whips (discipline) 5. Govt in control of timetable 6. MPs aspire to promotion 7. Govt can use majority to override Lords amendments or rejection

Question 39

What is party discipline like in the Commons?

Answer 39

* Whips - enforce discipline * e.g. Blair govt/student tuituon fees * Party discipline fragile when govt has small majority e.g. Theresa May * 3 line whips - must vote way in leaders whips * Votes on consicence e.g. assisted dying/abortion not whipped = free vote

Question 40

How does the government control civil servants?

Answer 40

* Original Osmotherly Rules allowed civil servants to be evasive/vague in answers - however now required to be as helpful as possible * e.g. 2016 - Home Affairs Select Committee ejected Oliver Robbins for failing to respond to questions about budget of border force

Question 41

How does parliament interact with other branches of government?

Answer 41

* Provides prsonnel for govt * Government called to account * Passes laws - enforced by judiciary * Laws compatible with ECHR