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Politics > Unit 2.2 Parliament > Flashcards

Unit 2.2 Parliament Flashcards

1
Q

Characteristics of the House of Commons

A 
'Lower house'
Dominant 
Democratically elected 
650 MPs
Pass legislation 
Scrutinise executive?
Representation?
Debate 
Redress grievances of constituents
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2
Q

Characteristics of the House of Lords

A 
'Upper house'
Subordinate 
Appointed peers 
790 peers 
Executive scrutiny 
Debates 
Revision of legislation 
Recruitment of ministers
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3
Q

What is the difference between frontbench and backbench MPs?

A

Frontbencher: sit at the front of the governing/opposing party, they hold ministerial positions in the government (e.g. Department of education).
Backbencher: sit at the back of the governing/opposing party, they do not hold ministerial positions. Used to scrutinise/challenge a particular government minister.

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4
Q

What is the role of a party whip?

A

They must enforce discipline within the party, make sure that the party’s backbench MPs fight alongside the frontbenchers. They also issue weekly instructions.

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5
Q

What is the role of the speaker?

A

Presides over the House of Commons and ensures that the rules are followed. Ensures debates run smoothly by calling members to speak in the chamber. Maintain a balance between both groups - government must have enough opportunities to explain themselves and opposition enough chances to question:scrutinise.

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6
Q

What is the shadow cabinet?

A

A group of oppositions whose job is to shadow and scrutinise each individual member of Cabinet. Alternative cabinet.

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7
Q

What is a private members’ bill? Give an example

A

Backbench MPs can introduce a bill. The abolition of the death penalty in 1965 originated in this way.

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8
Q

Describe the ‘night the government fell’ or ‘vote of no confidence’

A

James Callaghan, Labour Prime Minister 1977 lost its majority of seats (3) on his first day in office. He relied upon the support of the liberal party and the SNP.
A vote of no confidence was later introduced by Margaret Thatcher (then a backbencher), Conservative in March 1979. Won 311 to 310.
Callaghan then called for a general election after this and he then lost to Margaret Thatcher.

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9
Q

Define: pairing

A

An informal arrangement between the government and opposition parties where by an MP is designated by the party whip to abstain from voting, while a member of the other party needs to be absent (due to other commitments/illnesses/etc…).

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10
Q

What is the Hansard document?

A

A record of what is said and who voted for what in the House of Commons.

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11
Q

Key features of a parliamentary system

A
  • Fusion of powers
  • Gov. formed through parliamentary elections
  • Overlap of personnel
  • Gov. removable by legislature/Parliament (accountability)
  • Flexible term elections
  • Cabinet government
  • Separate head of gov and state
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12
Q

What is a vote of no confidence?

A

A parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.

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13
Q

Key features of a presidential system

A
  • Separation of powers
  • Gov. separately elected
  • Separation of personnel
  • Legislature can’t remove gov, only accountable to the people
  • Fixed term elections
  • President instead of cabinet gov
  • Same head of state/gov - president
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14
Q

Define: government

A

The government runs the country and has responsibility for developing and implementing policy as well as drafting laws. A.K.A. the executive.

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15
Q

Define: Parliament

A

Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. It has responsibility for checking the work of the government: examining, debating and approving new laws.

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16
Q

What are the 3 interpretations of parliamentary power?

A

Westminster model
Whitehall model
Transformative model

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17
Q

Describe the Westminster model of parliamentary power

A

Parliament is a representative and responsible government.

Parliament has a significant policy influence.

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18
Q

Describe the Whitehall model of parliamentary power

A

The executive branch hold political and constitutional power.
Parliament is just a rubber stamp, no meaningful policy influence.

19
Q

Describe the transformative model of parliamentary power

A

Parliament is not the policy making body, neither is it irrelevant.
Parliament transform policy reacting to executive initiatives.

20
Q

What is a bicameral legislature?

A

Means that Parliament is divided into two chambers: house of commons and House of Lords. The monarch is also part of our parliament.

21
Q

What is the purpose of a select committee?

A

Select committees examine 3 aspects: spending, policies and administration. Have a minimum of 11 members who decide upon a line of enquiry and then gather written and oral evidence. The government then usually have 60 days to reply to the committee’s recommendations. They can also call for ministers/civil servants/etc…ACCOUNTABILITY.

22
Q

What is the purpose of legislative committees?

A

Legislative committees have detailed discussion and approval, part of the process of making laws. They scrutinise proposed laws and may consider amendments to improve the legislation (must be approved by whole house). SCRUTINISE.

23
Q

What evidence is there to support the idea that MPs have little power to control the executive?

A

~Lord Hailsham described the relationship between legislative and executive as an “elective dictatorship”.
~Westminster model of parliamentary power causes inefficient check of executive, especially with large majorities (Tony Blair 179)
~Strict party discipline and limited power of HOL.
~Fusion of powers.
~PM can appoint who is on the committee, less effective at scrutinising.

24
Q

What evidence is there to support the idea that MPs can control the executive?

A 
~1997 vote of no confidence. 
~PMQT, scrutiny 
~Opposition days
~10 minute rule 
~Can ask for official documents (e.g. Hansard)
~small/no majority means that MPs opinions matter more
~Select committees
~Debates
25
Q

Define: Parliamentary government

A

Where government is drawn from parliament and is accountable to parliament. (Government has no separate authority than that of Parliament).

26
Q

Define: Presidential government

A

A government which has a separate source of authority from that of the legislature (‘parliament’). The executive (president) is accountable to the people directly.

27
Q

Describe parliamentary sovereignty

A

Parliament is the source of all political power (power cannot be exercised unless granted by parliament).
•Delegated powers may be restored back to parliament.
•No restrictions on what laws parliament may make - omnicompetent.
•Parliament is not bound by its predecessor.
•Parliament cannot make laws that are entrenched against future change.

28
Q

How many female MPs were there in the HOC in 2010?

A

142 out of 650

29
Q

What are the main functions of Parliament and its limitations?

A

~Legitimation (directly elected MPs in hoc).
~Scrutiny of laws
~Opposition (parties that aren’t governing)
~Accountability
~Debate/Deliberations
~Financial control (oldest function - question governments expenditure)
~Representation
~Redress of grievances (problems of the people)
——
•HOL is unelected so lack legitimation
•Legislative committees are whipped so most follow party line, no scrutiny
•Opposition lacks the administrative backing of gov
•Collective responsibility makes it difficult to hold accountable, plus patronage
•Lack of time makes debates less effective
•Parliament is not expected to challenge gov in finance matters, especially HOL
•FPTP depletes the function of representation

30
Q

Describe the House of Lords membership in 2012

A

Hereditary peers - 90
Life peers - 671
Bishops - 23
Archbishops- 2

31
Q

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the House of Commons

A

STRENGTHS:
~Ultimate power to remove government from office.
~Can call ministers to account.
~MPs represent constituency problems.

WEAKNESSES:
~Governments that have a large majority can dominate MPs.
~Legislative committees are largely controlled by party whips so HOC can’t really amend laws effectively.
~Not socially representative.

32
Q

What are the 4 possible cases for HOL reforms?

A
  1. Abolition
  2. A fully/partially elected second chamber
  3. A fully appointed chamber
  4. Keep it as it is
33
Q

Describe the House of Commons reforms since 2012

A
  • Chairs of departmental select committees now receive and additional salary (raises status and influence).
  • Members of select committees are no longer chosen by party whips (patronage) but by backbencher MPs (more independent).
34
Q

What is the Sailsbury convention?

A

House of Lords will not block any bill in a party’s manifesto.

35
Q

What are the pros/cons of abolishing the HOL?

A

PROS: no proposed bills will be blocked = faster process • more democratic.

CONS: Bills lack scrutiny without HOL • more power given to government (dictatorship?) • reactionary/irrational thinking of HOC, HOL isn’t there to stop it.

36
Q

What are the pros/cons of a fully/partially elected second chamber HOL?

A

PROS: more democratic, acts as a democratic balance against majority of commons • smaller parties better represented if elected fairly • Reformed members would be more qualified for their job

CONS: a more powerful 2nd chamber can lead to a less decisive government • might lose members with experience • might mirror HOC creating a deadlock between houses - no balancing effect • too many elections = voter fatigue

37
Q

What are the pros/cons of a fully appointed HOL?

A

PROS: membership can be controlled so that society can be better represented • more independents into political process.

CONS: cronyism - putting friends in position of power, too much power in the hands of those appointing • Lacks legitimacy and public support.

38
Q

What are the pros/cons of keeping the HOL as it stands (no further reforms)?

A

PROS: people know who their lords are (e.g. Those with experience - Lord Sugar) • no 1 party majority • Scrutiny

CONS: still undemocratic • Still slow passage of bills

39
Q

To what extent has the coalition altered the relationship between Parliament and government?

A

•Party discipline weaker (eg. Vote on raising tuition fees).
•Government mandate has become unclear leaving HOL more assertive.
•HOC is more independent, whips used less as MPs could vote how they wish (eg. Syria air strikes).
—–
•Government has not lost any of its legislation and committee functions/operations have not changed.
•No distinctive constitutional change, still many similarities apart from fixed term elections - little impact

40
Q

Describe House of Commons representation in terms of:

  1. Ethnicity
  2. Religion
  3. Education
  4. Age
  5. Gender
  6. Sexual orientation
A
  1. New 41 non-White MPs in 2015 parliament (previously 27).
  2. No British Sikhs (first time since 1997)
  3. 25% of the new 525 MPs were privately educated (compared to 7% of general population).
  4. Average age of an MP has increased from 50 to 51.
  5. Now more female MPs, 29% (previously 22%)
  6. 32 openly gay, lesbian and bisexual MPs.
41
Q

Describe House of Lords representation in terms of:

  1. Ethnicity
  2. Religion
  3. Education
  4. Age
  5. Gender
A
  1. 13 out of 63 appointments were an ethnic minority. Overall 5% of Lords come from an ethnic minority.
  2. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindus and atheist peers.
  3. 62% privately educated - 79% of these are conservatives, 34% of labour.
  4. Average age of a Lord is 69. Only 4% of peers are aged less that 50
  5. 23 out of the 63 appointments are women. Overall 20% in the HOL are women.
42
Q

Why is the HOL becoming more significant?

A
  • Increasing large government majorities means that opposition in HOC is becoming weak so HOL stepped up.
  • An increasing proportion of members have began to take their role more seriously, as in attending more regularly.
  • Reform meant the remaining lords have more authority.
  • Coalition arguably changed the relationship of Parliament giving HOL more freedom.
  • Stronger rights culture developing in the UK.
43
Q

How does the government dominate parliament?

A
  • Electoral system ensures an absolute majority (coalition?).
  • Party loyalty is traditionally strong (less use of whips now?)
  • Prime Ministerial patronage is extremely important (coalition can give minister positions to coalition partner instead?)
  • Lack of authority from HOL (more assertive now, tax credits)

Politics (7 decks)

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