What are the exclusive powers of the House of Commons?

Question 1

1. In which area, does the Commons have exclusive authority?

Answer 1

1. To give consent to taxation and public expenditure.

Question 2

1. Are money bills debated in the Lords?

Answer 2

1. Yes, but it can not interfere with them.

Question 3

1. Where does the chancellor of the exchequer sit when the annual budget is being presented?

Answer 3

1. In the House of Commons.

Question 4

1. What is confidence and supply?

2. What is an example of such a situation?

Answer 4

1. This happens when there is a minority government, that does not join a formal coalition, and must therefore rely on a formal agreement with another party to keep itself in office. The supporting party provides backing in the case of a vote of no confidence, and they also vote through the government’s budget. In return, the smaller party will receive certain concessions.
2. Following the June 2017 general elections, the Conservatives were 8 seats short of a majority, meaning that they needed support from the DUP.

Question 5

1. Is confidence and supply more flexible than a coalition?

Answer 5

1. Yes, but it is also less stable.

Question 6

1. What are some other examples of recent supply and demand agreements?

Answer 6

1. In 1977-78, James Callaghan’s minority Labour government concluded the ‘Lib-Lab Pact’. There were talks of the SNP supporting a minority Labour government in 2015.