U2 Parliament Flashcards
What is Parliament?
The British legislature made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.
What is the House of Commons?
The primary chamber of the UK legislature, directly elected by voters.
What is the House of Lords?
The second chamber of the UK legislature, not directly elected by voters.
What does confidence and supply mean?
The rights to remove the government and to grant or withhold funding. Also used to describe a type of informal coalition agreement where the minority partner agrees to provide these things in exchange for policy concessions.
What is the Salisbury Convention?
The convention whereby the House of Lords does not delay or block legislation that was included in a government’s manifesto.
What is parliamentary privilege?
The right of MPs or Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including law.
What are legislative bills?
Proposed laws passing through Parliament.
What are public bill committees?
Committees responsible for looking at bills in detail.
Who are backbenchers?
MPs or Lords who do not hold any government office.
What are select committees?
Committee responsible for scrutinising the work of government, particularly of individual government departments.
Who is the opposition?
The MPs and Lords who are not members of the governing party or parties.
