Ways Parliament interacts with executive - 2.4 Parliament - UK government Flashcards
Parliamentary privilege
Right of MPs / Lords to make certain statements within parliament without being subject to outside influence, including the law. Ensures freedom of speech
Impact of Backbench Business Committee creation
Created in 2010. Allowed to choose debate topic for 35 days a year. Some held in response to e-petitions (need 100,00 signatures to qualify) enables debates which may never have been held to be held
Example of debate that became legislation due to Backbench business committee
Harvey’s Law 2015 - Obliges Highways Agency to inform owners of pets killed on the roads
Evidence of backbench MPs playing an increasingly significant role within parliament
Backbench business committee choosing debate
Rise in number of back bench rebellions
Increase in urgent questions
Backbench rebellions
MPs rebelled in 35% of divisions during the 2010-2015
Government may choose to not proceed rather than risk a rebellion
Urgent questions
Device that, subject to the approval of the speaker of the house, allows an MP to raise an important matter requiring immediate answer from a government minister
Urgent questions rise
2009-2013 Bercow allowed 3547 urgent questions vs 2000-2009 only 1234 (Martin)
Limits on the influence of backbenchers
Despite drawing attention, action may not be taken
Government has a majority on public bill committees
Power of patronage & ties of party loyalty reinforced by whips
Government has a majority on public bill committees (weakens backbench MPs)
PBCs give MPs an opportunity to propose amendments to legislation however the gov has a majority and will often use this to their advantage
backbench members of the HoL
Many are retired politicians. More likely to act independently as there is no incentive for a promotion
select committee
There is a select committee to scrutinise the policy, administration and spending of each government department
Non-departmental select committees
Public Accounts Committee (examines gov expenditure ensuring value for money is obtained)
Liaison Committee (the chairs of all select committees - questions PM twice a year on everything)
Committee on standards (oversees work of official who is in charge of regulating MPs conduct)
Departmental select committees
Consists of a minimum of 11 backbench MPs. Reflect the parties in Commons (i.e. government will have a majority, opposition party second etc) Chairs are elected by fellow MPs (used to be whips). Members are chosen by secret ballot within party groups.
Members decide on areas to investigate. Can gather evidence, can appoint specialist advisors to assist them. They produce a report which government responds to within 2 months
Why are select committees important?
- Work is evidence based
- Hearings are televised & reported increasing influence
- Work includes scrutiny of legislation
- Can veto appointments of roles in the departments
- Long-serving members can acquire more knowledge than minister who may only be there for 2 years - some experienced chairs feel they have more influence than ministers due to experience
- Can have a direct influence on government policy
Example of chair of select committee becoming public figure and preferring her role to government minister
Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee (2010-2015)
Example of select committee having a direct influence on government policy
2014 Home office took Passport office back under ministerial control after critical report by Home Affairs Select Committee
Weaknesses / lack of influence of select committees
- Majority of select committee members will be from governing party
- Tradition that governing party chair the Treasury, foreign affairs and defence committees (influential)
- Committees can only cover a limited range of topics in depth
- Tendency to avoid investigations into more long-term, strategic issues
- High turnover rate for membership of committees & some MPs don’t attend regularly
- Government only accepts about 40% of select-committee recommendations & these rarely involve major changes of policy
- Committees power to summon witnesses is considerable but limited
Example of committee being unable to summon a witness
2013 Theresa May blocked the Home Affairs Select Committee from interviewing head of MI5
How do HoL select committees differ to HoC?
Do not shadow government departments but scrutinise legislation and investigate particular issues. Deliberately avoid duplicating the work of those in the Commons. Wider impact is usually limited
2 formal ways leader of the opposition can hold government to account
Responds to government programme
Replies to the chancellor of the exchequer’s budget speech
How many days a year does opposition have to propose subjects for debate
- 17 are for official opposition. 3 for the 2nd largest.
Impact of opposition debate days
Of symbolic importance showing opposition party’s views on aspects of government policy
Government usual reaction to opposition debate
usually will table an amendment to the opposition motion, cancelling it out by commending its own policy
Short money
Subsidy designed to help opposition parties to compensate for the lack of civil service help. Conservative government cut the amount available after 2015 general election
better method of scrutiny than PMQ
When ministers answer questions about their own departments
