WK 4 - UK Parliament Flashcards
Where does UK Parliament sit?
Westminster, London
How many chambers in Parliament? Names
- Two; bicameral
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
The House of Commons
- Elected chamber
- 650 MPs (each represents one of 650 constituencies in UK)
- Has primacy
The House of Lords
- Unelected chamber
- Made up of around 800 peers (life, hereditary + bishops)
- Can delay (and exceptionally block) legislation
Three main functions of parliament
- Formation of government
- Holding government to account
- Making laws
How does Parliament form government?
- Majority in House of Commons necessary (confidence)
Holding government to account
- Relationships between executive and legislature
- Political constitution
Making laws
- Only Parliament can enact primary legislation
Two other functions of Parliament
- Supply personnel of government
- Authorise taxes and spending
Define democracy
Government of the people by the people
Who elects MPs in HoC?
Their constituency. They represent it.
Explain the relationship between MPs and constituents
- MPs are democratically accountable to constituents
- Need to keep constituents happy to be re-elected
Which electoral system focusses on the constituency?
First Past The Post (FPTP)
What is FPTP also known as? Why?
- ‘Winner-takes-all’ system
- Most votes wins constituency
Give pros and cons about FPTP
- A simple-majority system (easy to understand)
- Not proportional
- Expected to create a single-party majority, therefore stability in Gov’t
[except 2010 + 2017 elections]
Explain Alternative Vote (AV) System
- Rank candidates in order of preference
- In first round, all first-preference votes counted. If someone receives over 50%, the candidate is elected.
- If no candidate elected, second round of counting occurs. Lowest-ranking in first is eliminated; remaining candidates’ second-preference votes are counted
- If on the basis of first- and second-preference votes one candidate secures more votes than the combined total of the remaining candidates, that candidate is elected
- If no winner emerges in second round, next lowest-ranking candidate is eliminated and process repeated until one candidate secures a higher quantity of cotes than total combined of remaining candidates
2011 AV Referendum
67.9% British people rejected adoption of AV system to replace FPTP
What is the purpose of elections?
- Determine membership of House of Commons
- Determine which political party forms the Government
How often do elections occur?
Normally five years unless early election
House of Lords composition (Sep 2024)
[Members, 3 categories]
- 805 total members
- 692 life peers [conferred by King on recommendation by PM]
- 88 hereditary peers
- 25 bishops
How are life peers chosen?
Conferred by King on recommendation by PM
What is the salisbury convention?
A constitutional convention which restricts powers of HoL.
Why should HoL not reject Bill implementing manifesto pledge? (e.g., Salisbury convention)
Government has an electoral mandate to advance such Bill
Which convention + legislation restricts powers of HoL?
(1) Salisbury convention
(2) Parliament Acts 1911-49
