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POL - 11 - Relationships Between the Branches > 11.2 - Parliament and Executive Relations > Flashcards

11.2 - Parliament and Executive Relations Flashcards

1
Q

Explain:

Ministers questions

A
  • 1hr a day in parliament
  • Backbenchers ask ministers questions about their department
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2
Q

Explain:

Prime Ministers questions

A
  • 30 min on Wednesday, 12pm
  • MPs ask the PM questions
  • Leader of the opposition asks 6 questions first
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3
Q

What are the benefits of PMQs?

A
  • Get direct answers from the PM
  • Keep PM briefed on issues
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4
Q

What are the downsides of PMQs?

A
  • “Punch and Judy” politics - more about point scoring
  • MPs ask planted questions to make the government look good
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5
Q

What is the role of a departmental select committee?

A
  • Scrutinise the actions of government departments
  • Question ministers
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6
Q

List:

The benefits of select committees

A
  • Scrutinise government departments
  • Publish official reports on issues
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7
Q

List:

The downsides of select committees

A
  • Ministers do not have to cooperate
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8
Q

Define:

Backbench rebellion

A

Backbenchers ( non-minister MPs ) voting againsst their party as an act of protest.

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9
Q

How is voting an effective method of holding the executive accountable?

A
  • Rebellion has previously been successful in outvoting the government
  • Threat of rebellion can keep the government from making unpoular decisions
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10
Q

How is voting an ineffective method of holding the executive accountable?

A
  • Less effective with a larger majority
  • Ineffective with 3-line whips - lose party membership
  • HoL cannot stop law passing, only delay it
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11
Q

What is a vote of no confidence?

A

A vote by the opposition party in the House of Commons where MPs vote on whether they have confidence in the government.

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12
Q

What is a vote of confidence?

A

Vote by the PM to restore authority in parliament

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13
Q

How are votes of (no) confidence effective?

A
  • James Callaghan removed by VONC in 1979
  • John Major called a VoC in 1993 over a lack of support for the Maastricht Treaty
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14
Q

How are votes of no/confidence ineffective?

A

they are unlikely to succeed

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15
Q

What is it called when the executive significantly controls the legislature?

A

Elective dictatorship

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16
Q

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

A

parliament has the ultimate power to pass legislation

16
Q

How does the government control legislation?

A
  • Party whips
  • Control over the parliament timetable
17
Q

How do select committees have control over the executive?

A
  • Gained more power through wright committee reform
  • Backbench business comittee formed
  • Debate topics selected by MPs rather than government
  • Gov must respond within 60 days
18
Q

How do parliament have controls over military action?

A
  • Parliament is usually consulted before military action
  • 2018 - Theresa May did not consult parliament
19
Q

Why does the HoL have significant control over lawmaking?

A
  • There is not a government majority so they can vote against bills
  • They cannot be whipped
20
Q

How does the government have control over lawmaking?

A

A large majority means they are more likely to be able to get laws passed by whipping MPs to vote in their favour

21
Q

How is judicial independence achieved?

A
  • Security of tenure - can act without fear of losing their position or being reprimanded by politicians
  • No Parliamentary criticism of judicial activity can take place during a trial
  • The Judiciary have an independent career route and an autonomous body
  • few institutional links with the government training in the legal profession
22
Q

How does the government control the legislature?

A
  • The government is usually undefeated in votes because they have a parliamentary majority
  • Government whips ensure the executive retains votes
  • Government has a ‘payroll vote’ of MPs who vote in support of government policies
23
Q

What makes ministers questions effective?

A

Pressure of government ministers to know their departments work

24
Q

Who asks questions at ministers questions/PMQs?

A

Backbenchers

25
Q

How long does the government have to respond to Select committee reports?

A

60 days

26
Q

When is backbench rebellion not possible?

A

A three line whip is in place

27
Q

How were the powers of select comittees strengthened?

A

Wright Committee reforms in 2009

28
Q

What did select committee reform achieve?

A
  • Reduced number of committees
  • MPs vote for committee chairs
  • Formed Backbench Business Committee
29
Q

3 examples of parliament having power over military action

A
  • Voted against military intervention in Syria in 2013
  • Voted in favour of military action in Syria in 2015
  • Voted in favour of military action in Iraq in 2014
30
Q

Example of Parliament not having control over military action?

A

Theresa May sent airstrikes to Syria without Parliaments approval in 2018

POL - 11 - Relationships Between the Branches (4 decks)

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