Key terms

Question 1

What is parliament in the UK?

Answer 1

-comprises of the HOC & HOL
-Possesses supreme legislative authority
-scrutinises work of the gov
-represents diverse interests of the UK
-Provides the membership of the gov

Question 2

What is the House of Commons?

Answer 2

-Parliament’s democratically elected chamber
-MPs represent constituencies across the UK, scrutinise the gov and vote on legislation
-democratic body representing the nation
–> can dismiss a gov if it loses a parliamentary vote of confidence

Question 3

What is a Public Bill Committee?

Answer 3

• once a bill passed its second reading in the HOC its details are considered by a PBC
  –> When possible amendments are discussed before the bill returns to the HOC for the report stage and then it’s third reading

Question 4

What is the Salisbury Convention?

Answer 4

• Since the Lords can’t claim democratic legitimacy–>
  -the SC est the principle in 1945 that the lords will not seek to stop legislation that was contained in the governing party’s manifesto
  –> to do so would be to oppose the democratically expressed will of the public in a general election
  -the Lords ca still propose amendments –> but these shouldn’t be designed to wreck the bill

Question 5

What are backbenchers?

Answer 5

• members of the HOC and the HOL who aren’t members of the gov front bench or the opposition front bench
  -not bound by collective ministerial responsibility and so are more independent
  -although are expected to obey the party whip

Question 6

What’s a Legislative Bill?

Answer 6

• a bill is a proposed piece of legislation that can be introduced in either the HOC or the HOL
• if it passes both houses it recieves royal assent and becomes an Act of Parliament
• the Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949–> a legislative bill can still become law even if its opposed by the HOL

Question 7

What’s a select committee?

Answer 7

-(parliamentary) composed of a small number of MPs
-(HOC) investigate work of departments of state, but they can also focus on specific subjects (as HOL SCs do).
- some issues can be addressed by a joint committee of the HOC and HOL

Question 8

What is parliamentary privilege?

Answer 8

-a principle that protects MPs & peers from being sued for libel or slander –> ensuring they have freedom of speech within the Palace of Westminster
-the right of parliament to exclusive cognisance –> controls its own internal affairs without outside interference

Question 9

Define opposition

Answer 9

-the second-largest party in the HOC constitutes His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition
-the opp front bench shadows the gov front bench & scrutinises its decisions
-uses its role in parliament to persuade the electorate that it’s a potential government-in-waiting