UK: Parliament Flashcards
1
Q
Statistics: What is the Lords representative makeup? (e.g. average age, women, jobs, residence)
A
Av. age 69, 24% female, most common background in business/finance, 1/4 reside in London or the South East
2
Q
What are the Lords’ weaknesses when it comes to representation? (3 examples)
A
- They are unelected
- They are not proportionally representative of the population (e.g. statistics of women, age and background)
- Hereditary Peers do not have experience outside the chamber, affecting their ability to legislative in favour of the electorate
3
Q
What are the Lords’ strengths when it comes to representation? (3 examples)
A
- They are appointed on the basis of expertise (HoL reforms 1999)
- Backgrounds mean good education, experience and economic competence
- 1/3 of Lords are cross-benchers, no party affiliation (not held hostage by the electorate)
4
Q
What are the Lords’ weaknesses when it comes to scrutiny? (3 examples)
A
- Appointed by PM which could impact ability due to bias
- Can’t block only delay due to Parliamentary acts 1911 and 1949 (and cannot delay money bills or manifesto promises)
- Salisbury Convention, Henry VIII clause and Statutory instruments all limit the effect of House of Lords
5
Q
What are the Lords’ strengths when it comes to scrutiny? (3 examples)
A
- No whips in the House of Lords, it is a lifetime position and cannot be withdrawn
- Tax Credits Act 2015, the Lords were not legally able to delay the bill as it was financial- however, their involvement was enough to have it withdrawn
- May’s Brexit Plans in 2018, Lords proposed so many amendments that she withdrew it
6
Q
3 Examples where the Lords has been weak?
A
- PM Johnson’s Internal Market Bill 2020, pushed through Lords despite intended delays most likely due to his large majority in the commons
- Fire Safety Bill 2016-, Been going back and fourth for almost 5 years between Commons and Lords
- Sexual Offences Act 2003, passes despite Lords objections
7
Q
What did the Wright reforms 2010 do to bring power to backbenchers?
A
- Election of members and chairs of select committees by secret ballot
- Established the BBBC
8
Q
What are the strengths of Select Committees? (3 examples)
A
- Can investigate and lead to resignations (home affairs, amber rudd, windrush)
- Select committees are seen as an attractive career goal as an alternative to ministerial office
- Gives backbenchers more control
9
Q
What are the weaknesses of Select Committees? (3 examples)
A
- They have no legal powers, and their current powers are vague and unspecified
- Conduct of oral evidence sessions is often bad to create publicity around an issue (looking for TV quips)
- While select committee members are free from charges of defamation- witnesses do not have these protections and cannot breach confidentiality. The disconnect should be fixed by statute before a witness seeks legal redress
10
Q
When was the military convention introduced, and when has it been discounted?
A
- In 2003 when Blair used Parliament to legitimise his decision to go to war in Iraq
- 2010 David Cameron does not consult Parliament over going to war in Syria
- 2018 Theresa May does no consult Parliament over drone strikes in Syria
11
Q
Arguments for and against career politicians? (3)
A
- Career politicians only made up 16.5% of MPs in 2015
- > however in 1979 that was only 3.4% - Career politicians will know more about their role and are have more expertise
- > expertise is the HoL’s job: they are there to represent the population - Career politicians don’t need expertise, as the civil service’s job is to provide information
- > It’s good for politicians to have job experience outside the job and focus areas of education to allow them not to rely on the civil service too much
12
Q
What did Ann Philips say about society and about representation?
A
Ann Philips, “we live in a society organised and ordered by gender (…) women will legislate better on women’s issues”
13
Q
Give three examples where Select Committees have been unable to affect the government
A
- Only 20% Select Committee findings are enforced
- 2020 Priti Patel is found in contempt of ministerial conduct- after Johnson refuses to take action the investigator resigns
- 2015 Environmental Audit Committee releases report regarding fracking going against the government’s intentions, they have no affect
14
Q
Give three examples where Select Committees have been able to affect the government
A
- 2018 Amber Rudd after a select committee found her in contempt for lying to Parliament during the Windrush scandal
- 2020 Julian Lewis becomes head of the Security Committee over Johnson’s choice, Chris Grayling (removed from party but retains position)
- 2015 Health Committee says the government should give better protection and compensation for medical whistleblowers- immediately implemented and improved medical care
15
Q
How does the opposition exercise power over the executive?
A
- PMQs, held once a week allow the opposition to grill the Prime Minister, 2021
- UQs, during his time as speaker Bercow has allowed more urgent questions to give power to backbenchers
- “Humble Address” used by MP Starmer to receive Brexit reports, after this was refused the government was held in contempt of Parliament
16
Q
ETVT Lords has less power than Commons, but more influence over government decisions
A
- Brexit: Theresa May 2018 Brexit Deal delayed in Lords, but on the other hand 2019 Johnson passes with no opposition (Salisbury)
- Economy: Tax Credits Act 2015 vs 2020 (despite the convention not to interfere with money bills, Lords prevent 2015 Tax Credits Act)
- Social: 2001-2006 Lords prevent Blair passing legislation on identity cards, gov. uses statutory instruments to side-step commons; Vs Sexual Offences Act 2003, Voyeurism Act 2009- Lords seem to have less power when issues are expressly popular (people’s influence)
17
Q
ETVT Electoral systems make a significant difference to party representation in the UK
A
- FPTP
- AMS
- STV: comparison of representation in UK general elections and N.I assembly there is much similarity
18
Q
ETVT Backbench MPs are effective in fulfilling their various roles (arguing NO)
A
- Select Committees
- Wright Reforms give power of election of chairs through secret ballots (e.g. Julian Lewis elected as Security Committee head over Johnson’s choice)
- Can summon ministers for investigations which can lead to ministers resigning (e.g. Amber Rudd resigns over deportation quota)
PIVOT: Due to a lack of legal power, only 20% of reports are implemented (e.g. 2015, Environmental Committee released report on fracking which went unacknowledged at Parliament)
- Furthermore, Committees have no right of appeal, therefore summons can go ignored (e.g. Sports Director Mike Ashley refused an inquiry)
- Hearings often focused around “sound bytes” for media coverage which impedes effective scrutinisation - PMQs
- Weekly PMQs are televised which allow MPs to scrutinise the government (e.g. 1990s Corbyn managed to question Thatcher on the issue of homelessness- shows opportunity for scrutiny)
- any MPs have questioned conservatives over Partygate, exposing internal weaknesses within the government (+brings up question of new leadership, effectively checking PM)
PIVOT: Again sound bytes ruin it, while 54% of the population report tuning into it in the last 12 months, only 28% say they have watched it to the end (with many admitting it is childish, over the top and puts them off politics)
- PMs can ramble to avoid answering a question without exposing a weakness (which means popularity can outvote scrutiny, e.g. BJ)
- Only MPs of the opposition and parties not in power can ask difficult questions, therefore the role is not effectively fulfilled when there are large majorities - Voting on legislation
- Backbenchers can use voting to check government, (e.g. 2020 Benn Act can BBBC free reign to allocate parliamentary time to debate and vote on bills ignored by the government. As a direct consequence, BJ was forced to request deadline for Brexit 3 months later to avoid no-deal)
- Theresa May’s Brexit deal failed three times due to backbench rebellions
PIVOT: These examples only work because of the slim majority (or minority) government at the time. With larger majorities the government more often gets their way (e.g. Blair avoided defeat for the first 8 years during his time as PM due to elective dictatorship)
- Furthermore, whips can force MPs to vote for the government by threatening expulsion from the party or withholding money from their constituency
19
Q
How many frontbench MPs are there
A
140/150
20
Q
What is the role of a party whip
A
To enforce party views
21
Q
How many hereditary peers
A
92
22
Q
How many Lord spirituals (archbishops and bishops)
A
26
