Parliament examples Flashcards
What happened to parliament in 2017-2019 where MPs took control of the parliamentary timetable?
MPs rejected Theresa May’s Withdrawl Agreement in the first ‘meaningful vote’ by 432 votes to 232, a record government defeat. Further defeats followed and MPs took over the parlimentary timetable to pass two pieces of private member’s legislation, against the governmnet’s wishes. This legislation rquired the government to request an extension to article 50 of the Lisbon treaty and so prevented a no deal Brexit
What circumstances empowered parliament in 2017-2019 to go against the government?
a minority government, divisions in the Conservative party and creative uses of parliamentary procedures
What helped to shift the power back to the Conservative party in 2019 in Parliament and what did this allow them to do?
The general election of 2019 produced a conservative majority of 80. The balance of power shifted away from the legislature and back towards the executive. MPs approved without amendment, Boris Johnson’s withdrawl agreement by a majority of 124 in December 2020, and a year later they approved the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement by 521 votes to 73
What are examples of MPs who have been independent of a political party?
(x2 examples)
Sylvia Hermon, once an Ulster Unionist was re-elected as an independent in North Down on three occasions between 2010-2017.
Richard Taylor was elected in Wyre Forest in 2001 and 2005 under the Independent Kiddiminster Hospital and Health concern party.
What act did Johnson introduce to dissolve the Fixed term paliament Act of 2011?
The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 would repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and provides that the maximum term of a Parliament (rather than the period between general elections) shall be five years.
Who are the 2 MPs who have been dismissed from Parliament after a recall petition?
(x2 examples)
Fiona Onasanya was subject to recall after receiving a prison sentence and didn’t contest in the 2019 Peterborough by-election.
Chris Davies, who was convicted of making false parliamentary claims contested the 2019 Brecon and Radnorshire election by election but was defeated
Which speakers have been involved in controversy?
Michael Martin was the first speaker to be forced in 174 years when he resigned in 2009. He was criticised for the handling of the MP expenses scandal and was viewed as an obstacle to reform. He stepped down before a motion of no confidence
Lindsay Hoyle has recently been in controversy after trying to prioritise a Labour motion to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Who is John Bercow and what differs him from other speakers?
Speaker elected in 2009. He sought to enhance scrutiny and champion backbenchers as he allowed more urgent questions, granting more than 670. He supported measures to make more female MPs.
What was John Bercow’s role like in the Brexit debate?
he broke precedent by permitting amendments to usually unamenable ‘motions expressed in neutral terms’, which changed the course of the Brexit process.
What amendement did Bercow select which changed the course of Brexit?
Selected an amendment tabled by Dominic Grieve, which paved the way for MPs to override government approach on Brexit. In 2019, he granted an emergency debate which led to MPs taking control of the order paper and passing legislation delaying Brexit.
What were critic’s reactions to Bercow’s Brexit intervention?
Supporters praised his action for holding the government to account, but critics argued he was motivated by his anti-brexit views and under-mined faith in parliament
As of January 2024, what is an MPs salary?
£91,346
Who is the current speaker of the Lords?
John Mcfall
What did the Peerages Act of 1963 allow Alec Douglous-Home to do?
He was able to leave the Lords and win a by-election to the commons when he became Conservative party leader and prime minister in 1963
By 2021, how many by - elections had been held after when a hereditary peer dies?
43
As of Jan 2024, how many peers are in the HOL?
785
As of Jan 2024, how many life peers are there in the HOL?
668
When did Johnson ignore the reccommedndations of the HOL Appointments Commission when appointing a Lord?
When awarding a peerage to buissness man Peter Cruddas in 2020
Before the HOL Act 1999, how many of the 1,330 peers were hereditary?
759 - 57%
What % of the HOL is former MPs?
20%
As of Jan 24, how many cross benchers are there in the HOL?
184
How % of the Lords is made up by women
29%, compared to 9% before 1999
How many peers have resigned since the HOL Act 2014?
more than 100
How many Lords did Blair appoint in his first term and what were they called?
He appointed 203 and there were known as Tony’s cronies. By 2005, he had made Labour the greatest party in the HOL
What were the three different attempts to reform the HOL further since 1999?
Free vote 2003, White Paper 2007 and HOL Bill 2012
When has the Parliament Act of 1949 been used?
x4 examples
-War Crimes Act 1991
European Parliamentary
-Elections Act 1999
-Sexual offences Act 2000
-Hunting Act 2004
When has the Commons claimed financial priviledge?
x3
The Coalition government used its priviledge during the final stages of the Welfare Reform Bill 2012
counter terrorism (2008)
support for child refugees (2016)
