2. Parliament

Question 1

what is a parliament with a two house system called?

Answer 1

bicameral

Question 2

What are the three main criticisms of the house of lords?

Answer 2

1. Unelected - therefore legislature is not democratic and also the members are not accountable
2. Life Peers appointments are dubious - Cronyism
3. House of Lords can affect the commons without democratic legitimacy

Question 3

The commons supporting the Executives legislation, does what?

Answer 3

Provides democratic legitimacy for bills

Question 4

Who announces the annual Budget?

Answer 4

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The Commons then provides consent for taxpayers

Question 5

What are the three ways Backbench MPs can propose legislation

Answer 5

Ballot

Ten Minute Rule Bills

Presentation

Question 6

When was the Voyeurism Offences Act eventually passed?

What two things does it illustrate?

Answer 6

2019

It shows how hard it is to get private members bills passed, a tory mp shouted out object during it’s second reading which sent it back for debate.
However the government proposed it as a government bill and it was passed seamlessly. This shows how they can influence.

Question 7

What area of legislating are the Lords important?

What is the name of their committees?

Answer 7

The Scrutiny of Secondary legislation.

Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee.
Joint committee on statutory instruments.

Question 8

Give the three key areas the Commons scrutinises the government

Answer 8

Wednesdays - PMQs
Forcing the government to justify legislation.
Refuse to pass legislation, Theresa May Brexit bill 2017-2019 repeatedly rejected.

Question 9

How is the lords limited in scrutiny?

Answer 9

They do not have the same opportunities to directly scrutinise the government.
Main scrutiny in the Committee stage of the bill.

Question 10

What is the Salisbury Convention?

Answer 10

The lords can block legislation for up to one year, but not if it’s in the governing parties manifesto.

Question 11

Give an example of the Commons vetoing the Lords.

Answer 11

Sexual Offences Amendment Act 2000, lowering the age of consent fro gay men to 16.

Question 12

The Commons represents:

Answer 12

Constituencies and groups, e.g the Friends of the Earth

Question 13

National Debate is seen in both houses how is it different

Answer 13

Commons - Covid-19 and Foreign affairs

Lords - Moral dimension, pornography. They won’t end up making executive decision but they can inform decision makers.

Question 14

What percentage of peers are privately educated?

What percentage of people in the UK are?

Answer 14

62%

6.5%

Question 15

Define Parliamentary Privilege.

Answer 15

The right of MPs or Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including the law.

Question 16

What are party whips?

Answer 16

Make backbench MPs comply with party policy

Question 17

What is the role of Public Accounts Committee?

Answer 17

Examine public finances. Ensures that the delivery of public services is at the same quality that the amount of money being funnelled into it expects.

Question 18

What investigation did the PMC carry out in 2015?
What consequently happened?

Why is the PMC so well respected?

Answer 18

Investigation into the effectiveness of cancer care by the NHS.
Government launched a review and then set up an independent cancer task force to improve services.

The chair and members are elected.
The Chair is always from the main opposition party

Question 19

What investigation did the PMC carry out in 2015?
What consequently happened?

Why is the PMC so well respected?

Answer 19

Investigation into the effectiveness of cancer care by the NHS.
Government launched a review and then set up an independent cancer task force to improve services.

The chair and members are elected.
The Chair is always from the main opposition party

Question 20

What is the liaison committee?

Answer 20

It consist of the chairs of all the departmental select committees. Twice a year the PM must appear before them for questioning. Boris cancelled a few times. .

Question 21

When and What did the wright reforms set up?

What do they do?

Answer 21

2010 - Backbench Business Committee

Debate what issues should be discussed on the one day a week delegated to backbench business.

Question 22

How are ministers called to account?

Answer 22

Question to ministers day

Departmental Select Committee and Public Accounts Committee.

PMQs