U1T2 Parliament Flashcards
What are backbenchers
MPs or Lords who don’t hold any government office
What is a party whip?
A party official appointed by the party
leader whose role is to maintain party discipline and loyalty, to inform MPs about parliamentary business and to act as a means of communication between backbenchers
A three line whip has the highest powers and if a member gets called by one, they have to follow party policy or resign.
What is the role of the speaker
expected to organise the business of Parliament along with the party leaderships, to maintain order and discipline in debates, to decide who gets to speak in debates or at question times,and to settle disputes about Parliament’s work.
How many hereditary peers are there and how was this number decided.
92 - House of Lords act 1999
What is a life peer
A prominent member of society who is granted a peerage by pm (becoming lord, lady, baron or baroness).
This entitles them to attend the HOL, take part in debates, scrutinise and vote on legislation. This is usually for life but these peers can resign.
What are cross benchers
Members of the HOL who are not members of any political party and so are the most independent minded.
What is the Salisbury convention
The House of Lords do not delay or block legislation that was included in a governments manifesto
What is the ten minute rule
The ten minute rule allows a backbench MP to make his or her case for a new private members bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. However, these can be easily blocked by any MP by them shouting ‘object’
- Chris Chope did this with the voyeurism act in 2018 which caused worry for Tory party image
How long can the lords delay a bill for
1 year
Parliament act 1911: the lords could no longer veto a bill but delay it for two years
Parliament act 1949: limited to one year
Why do the lords not really legitimise legislation proposed by the commons and why they can’t actually prevent legislation of a proposed bill entirely
-The lords can give their opinion, ask the government and commons to think again and possibly to amend the proposals to improve them
-The lords do not have the power to stop a bill being passed for royal assent, but they can delay it for up to a year as a means of saying to the commons to think again.
-passed, the Commons can vote to bypass the Lords and pass legislation without aproval from the Lords after one year’s delay.
An example of this happening is the war powers act 1991
What is parliamentary privilege in the uk? What are 3/4 significant points about it
-MPs and Lords have legal immunity for actions in Parliament.
-Absolute freedom of speech within parliamentary proceedings.
-Parliament controls its own internal affairs without court interference. (exclusive cognisance)
-Protects parliamentary independence but can be misused.
3 functions of the House of Lords
-Legislative Review and Amendment: The House of Lords reviews bills passed by the House of Commons. While it cannot veto bills, it can suggest amendments and ask the Commons to reconsider aspects of legislation.
-Scrutiny of the Government: The Lords hold the government accountable by questioning ministers, participating in debates, and conducting inquiries, and in genreal parliament ping pong
-Expertise and Debate: The House of Lords includes experts from various fields, such as law, science, business, and education, providing a wealth of knowledge in debates.
Describe the powers of the House of Commons
-Primary Legislative Power: The House of Commons has the authority to create, amend, and pass legislation
-Control of Public Finances: The Commons has exclusive control over financial matters, including taxation and government spending
-Vote of No Confidence: The House of Commons can pass a vote of no confidence, which forces the Prime Minister and the government to resign or call a general election if they lose the vote.
- Holding the Government to Account: The Commons scrutinizes the actions and policies of the government. This is done through Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), ministerial question times, debates, and select committee investigations
What is the difference between legal sovereignty and political sovereignty?
Legal Sovereignty:
• Refers to the ultimate legal authority — the body that can make or unmake any law. (Parliament)
Political Sovereignty:
• Refers to where real power lies in practice, influenced by public opinion, elections, and political realities.
How do the different branches have political sovereignty?
Executive-Dominates legislative agenda when majority is strong; uses powers like secondary legislation; controls parliamentary timetable.
Parliament - can make or unmake any law; not bound by predecessors; can override courts, devolved bodies, and referendums.
Judiciary-Can constrain executive via judicial review (e.g. Miller cases), but cannot overturn Acts of Parliament; rising role under Human Rights Act.
What is secondary legislation and why does it give executive more power?
It’s when Parliament gives ministers (the executive) the power to make detailed rules or changes to laws without passing a full new Act.
Coronavirus Act 2020: Parliament gave ministers broad powers.
• The health secretary could make lockdown rules, mask mandates, etc., through secondary legislation — no full debate or vote needed each time.
