EXTRA-The roles of Members of Parliament

Question 1

What is an example of a smaller inner city area with a high populated density, constituency ?

Answer 1

Glasgow

Question 2

What is an example of a vast rural territory?

Answer 2

Inverness West

Question 3

What are often issues that MP’s from inner-city constituencies face?

Answer 3

-problems of housing, immigration and urban deprivation

Question 4

What are the 4 main spheres of responsibility?

Answer 4

1) the party
2) the constituency
3) the nation
4) Own interest

Question 5

Why do MP’s have an obligation to their party?

Answer 5

It was because of their party label that the overwhelming majority of MP’s was elected

Question 6

What are MP’s expected to do as apart of a party in debates and votes and when promoting the party outlook?

Answer 6

to ‘toe the party line’

Question 7

Under who’s leadership did many Labour MP’s find it difficult to support the leaderships policies on issues such as Iraq?

Answer 7

Tony Blair

Question 8

After a vote of no confidence, how many votes did Jeremy Corbyn win on a re election as party leader?

Answer 8

by over 300,000

Question 9

What do MP’s hold in their constituencies?

Answer 9

surgeries

Question 10

In what way can an MP bring constituency grievances up in the HOC?

Answer 10

they can ask a question or write, or see a relevant minister

Question 11

How do MP’s have an obligation to the whole country?

Answer 11

this is because they serve in the national legislature and are expected to attend the HOC regularly and make a contribution to debates

Question 12

What should MP’s do when they are selected to be on a public bill or select committee?

Answer 12

they must inform themselves about the various problems on which they are called to vote

Question 13

In what year did a survey say that on average an MP spends just over 50% of their working week on parliamentary as opposed to constituency work?

Answer 13

survey in 1996

Question 14

How can an MP’s own interest be used?

Answer 14

in a Private Members’ Bill

Question 15

As MP’s have own interests what might they do when lobbied?

Answer 15

they might act on the companies behalf having a particular concern for some sectional group

Question 16

What is an example of when MP’s are expected by their constituents to present the local viewpoint when there is a problem?

Answer 16

when an industry is in decline such as fishing in the South West

Question 17

although MP’s are expected by their constituents to present the local viewpoint when there is problem such as when a local industry is in decline such as fishing in the South West, what must MP’s also take into consideration?

Answer 17

the national getting as it may be that economic reality dictates that particular goods can no longer be economically manufactured locally

Question 18

What is an example of when personal and party interests may conflict?

Answer 18

Such as when a left wing labour MP for reasons such as personal pacifism may be unable to accept their governments pursuit of a renewal of Trident

Question 19

What is an example of when an MP’s personal views may differ with their constituents on ethical stances?

Answer 19

They may be pro-abortion and their constituents may be largely Roman Catholic constituents

Question 20

What is an example of when an MP’s personal views may differ with their constituents on economic policies?

Answer 20

a pro-european MP may find it difficult to represent a fishing port in which there is a constant criticism of the damage done to the local trawler men by the Common Fisheries Policy

Question 21

Who put forward the classic case of allowing an MP to act as an individual in 1774?

Answer 21

Edmund Burke

Question 22

What did Edmund Burke say in 1774 in regards to MP’s roles?

Answer 22

That rather than be considered as delegates of voters, they should primarily be seen as members of parliament representing the one interest of the nation.