Main roles and functions of Parliament

Question 1

What are the 3 main roles/functions of Parliament?

Answer 1

• Representation
• Legislation
• Scrutiny&Accountability

Question 2

What are the 2 other roles of Parliament (not the main roles)

Answer 2

• Legitimisation

- Political recruitment (providing people to be in the executive)

Question 3

How does Parliament fulfil the role of representation?

Answer 3

Commons MP’s are elected to serve a geographical constituency and those who live there

Question 4

What should MP’s represent?

Answer 4

the concerns of their constituents within Parliament

Question 5

How does Parliament perform the role of Legislation?

Answer 5

Parliaments primary function as a legislature is to legislate

Question 6

Although most of a government’s legislature is uncontroversial, what must it past through before it can become law?

Answer 6

both chambers (although Lords can only delay)

Question 7

When may a government’s legislature not need to be passed through both chambers?

Answer 7

if the Parliament Act is invoked (the commons can use this in exceptional circumstances to bypass the Lords)

Question 8

How does Parliament play an important role in scrutinising government? (2)

Answer 8

• through parliamentary committees

- other procedures such as PM Questions

Question 9

How does Parliament perform the role of legitimisation ?

Answer 9

the member of parliament are democratically elected. Therefore if they approve a law, it can be seen to have the consent of the people.
In addition, a government must have the confidence of the commons, if it does not it can cause its withdrawal through a Vote of no confidence

Question 10

When was there a vote of no confidence?

Answer 10

James Callaghan’s Labour government 1979. There was also a vote in 2019 under May but it was unsuccessful .

Question 11

In what year was James Callaghan’s Labour government given a vote of no confidence ?

Answer 11

1979

Question 12

How does Parliament reform the role of Political recruitment?

Answer 12

Parliament provides the recruiting pool for which all members of the government are drawn. i.e. you have to be an MP (or member of the Lords) in order to be a government minister.

Question 13

What have most ministers served before taking a high office?

Answer 13

an apprenticeship by being either a junior minister or shadow minister.

Question 14

Who is an example of someone who was brought into the Lords as a means of bringing them into Parliament?

Answer 14

Andrew Adonis in 2005