2 Parliament Flashcards
(424 cards)
1
Q
How many MPs?
A
650
2
Q
Example of parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional flexibility working favourably from the last few years?
A
Coronavirus Act 2020 - government allowed to act quickly to respond to prevailing crisis due to being free of constitutional shackles
3
Q
Last PM not to sit in the Commons?
A
Alec Douglas-Home, 1963
But he resigned his peerage and fought a byelection to return to the Commons
4
Q
Example of how the Lords only really asks the Commons to ‘think again’?
A
Rwanda Bill 2024 - Lords proposed no further amendments after government rejected them all
5
Q
Conventions at work with Alec Douglas Home?
A
All PMs must sit in the Commons is now a recognised convention
6
Q
What plan was drafted in 2010 to reform the Commons?
A
Plan to reduce the Commons to 600 members
7
Q
Disparity in population sizes between constituencies?
A
Largest (Isle of Wight) has 113,000
Smallest (Western Isles) has 21,000
8
Q
Example of successful independents? However larger picture?
A
Martin Bell, former war correspondent, MP for Tatton 1997-2001
9
Q
Size of Lords?
A
Roughly 800
10
Q
4 types of Lords
A
- Life Peers (since 1958 Life Peerages Act - now most common)
- Hereditary peers (92 now)
- CofE bishops (26), Lords Spiritual
- Law Lords (scrapped 2009)
11
Q
How do most peers enter the Lords?
A
Appointment by party leaders
12
Q
Lords temporal?
A
Life and hereditary peers
13
Q
Lords spiritual?
A
CofE 26 bishops
14
Q
Fact about party makeup in the Lords?
A
Since 1999 no majority, used to be overwhelmingly Tory. Now dominated by Crossbenchers
15
Q
When did Britain become a Parliamentary State?
A
1688
16
Q
Another important convention which has created fusion of powers?
A
All ministers are Parliamentarians
17
Q
What brought power to the Commons?
A
1911/45 PA and 1945 SC
18
Q
Fact about female MPs?
A
1919 Nancy Astor took her seat - by 2019 we had 220 women MPs, a record return
19
Q
Who helped increase female representation in UK politics?
A
Blair - 1997 all-women shortlists
20
Q
How many black MPs were elected in 1987? How had this improved by 2019?
A
3 in 1987
65 ethnic minority MPs by 2019
21
Q
Example of how checks and balances have increasingly become intra-party?
A
Theresa May couldn’t get her Brexit deal through due to backbench opposition
22
Q
How has the use of committees increased?
A
1979 department Select Committees set up
23
Q
When did Parliament become televised?
A
1989
24
Q
What is the fundamental role of the Speaker?
A
Act as a chairperson for debate
25
Who administers the rules of the Commons and an example?
Speaker - you're not allowed to call someone a liar and Bercow suspended Dennis Skinner for calling David Cameron 'dodgy dave'
26
Speaker is non-political. Is this always true?
Not always - Michael Martin, 2000-2009 speaker, was forced to resign
27
What does the Leader of the House of Commons do?
Organises the government's business, including ensuring that bills are correctly timetabled
28
Example of the Leader of the House of Commons administrating the house?
Briefing to house every Thursday about the week's proceedings to come
29
Is whip withdrawal normally permanent? Example?
No
## Footnote
Used against Nadine Dorries after she flipped off to the jungle on I'm a Celeb in 2012 without telling anyone...
30
Example of whip withdrawal for political disloyalty?
In 2019 Boris withdrew the whip from 21 rebel MPs who helped instigate the hijacking of government business during the Brexit fiasco. 10 MPs had the whip restored, but the 5 who ran at the next election as independents or Lib Dems lost their seats
31
High profile case of whip withdrawal?
Corbyn lost it for three months in 2020 over antisemitism investigation
32
Frontbenchers...
Are also government ministers
33
Backbenchers are usually more rebellious. Example?
Corbyn voting against Blair/Brown the most of any backbencher between 1997/2010
34
4 key functions of Parliament
1. Legislative
2. Representative
3. Scrutiny
4. Deliberative
35
Public bill
Bills that apply to the public at large
36
Private bill
A bill dealing with individual people or places
37
Amount of bills that were government sponsored vs PMBs which passed 2015-17
55 were debated, 48 passed
## Footnote
324 PMBs reached the House, of which 14 passed
38
What trend has been detectable in democracy in the house?
Greater democracy for citizens
39
What trend in the balance of power intra-Parliament has been detectable?
More power to the Commons
40
How has diversity improved in the Commons?
More minority MPs
41
What trend has been detectable in the checks and balances? What undermines this view?
Greater concentration of power with the executive. The backbench rebellions that brought down Theresa May
42
When did Parliament become broadcast?
1989
43
3 things an MP is representative of
1. Their party
2. Their local area
3. Their beliefs/political leanings
44
3 ways the Commons performs its representative role well?
1. MPs have specialist policy interests which allows them to focus their attention
2. Commons is more diverse
3. Each area has a constituency
45
3 facts that show that the Commons has become more diverse?
2019
1. 65 (10%) ethnic minority
2. 220 women, new record
3. 6% LGBTQ, 3x the national average
46
3 facts that show that Parliament performs its representative function poorly?
1. Not all constituencies equal in size
2. FPTP means bad outcomes e.g. Feb 1974
3. Diversity lacking
47
Fact that shows that the constituencies are unequal in size?
Largest constituency almost 6x larger in population than the smallest
48
Example that shows FPTP unequal?
In February 1974, Liberal Party won 19.3% (ALMOST 20%) of the vote but only secured 14 seats
49
2 facts which show that Parliament has a long way to go before being representative of the people?
1. Despite record performance in 2019, still only 34% women
2. MPs more than 4x more likely to be privately educated than general public
50
What proportion of MPs 2017-19 had jobs outside Parliament?
18%
51
Example of an MP working another job that bucks the trend?
Most MPs second jobs are company directors etc.
## Footnote
But Maria Caulfield is a Tory MP and a nurse, and she worked 480 hours over 3 years as an MP to keep her professional registration
52
Argument that says that MPs shouldn't be having second jobs?
They make 80 grand already, with benefits for living in London. Do they really need a second income
53
Counter argument to MPs shouldn't have second jobs?
If constituents feel they are getting a poor service, they can vote them out. Many get a better perspective on life
54
An example of an MP who got a better perspective on things from their second job?
Maria Caulfield, secretary of State for Health July-September 2022 is a nurse
55
What is redress of grievances and how is it an example of representativeness?
The process by which individuals can approach their MP with complaints about their treatment by government and its agencies
56
3 theories of representation
1. Burkean
2. Delegate
3. Mandate
57
Burkean theory
That MPs must act with judgement and collate information from various sources to decide a course of action.
58
Quote by Burke?
Your MP 'betrays' you if he 'sacrifices' his judgement to your opinion
59
Trustee theory
Same as Burkean theory
60
Example of Burkean theory?
Nick Boles - represented a leave constituency but supported Remain. Voted against his own party in many votes on Brexit. Resigned in 2019
61
Example of Burkean activity beyond an MP?
2013 vote on Same Sex Marriage was unwhipped and the Tory Party was almost split 50-50
62
2 examples of Delegate theory failing?
1. Zac Goldsmith promised he would resign if the Government built a third runway at Heathrow. He did and lost the resulting byelection to Lib Dems in 2016
2. Stephen Lloyd, a Lib Dem MP, pledged to support Brexit in Commons if re-elected in 2017. Had to resign from Lib Dems and lost his seat in 2017
63
An example of Mandate theory being successful?
2019 Frank Field - had been MP for Birkenhead for ages and stood as an independent in 2019 and lost
64
An example of Mandate theory failing?
2014/2015 - Douglas Carswell defected to UKIP from Tories, won the byelection and then won the 2015 election
65
The order of the representative theories from most to least compelling
Mandate
Burkean
Trustee
66
Maximum difference between number of constituencies per voter at 2019 election and how it has been rectified?
Isle of Wight - 113,000. Western Isles - 21,000
## Footnote
Electoral Commission has split Isle of Wight
67
Fact about gender representation in Parliament by party?
In 2021, Labour had more female MPs than male (103 versus 97)
## Footnote
But Tories lagging behind
68
What percentage of Labour MPs were female in 2021? How does this compare to Tories?
More than 50%
## Footnote
Tories had more than 75% male
69
What was the make up of hereditary versus nominated peers in 1999?
About 50/50
70
Are there any parties in the Lords with more female than male peers? What does this tell us?
Only the Greens and they only have 2 female peers (2021)
## Footnote
The Lords is even more male dominated
71
When was the Glorious Revolution?
1688
72
What has been the general trend in executive/parliament balance over time? Caveat?
Centralising towards executive
## Footnote
Brexit
73
How is the speaker selected? Is this usually partisan?
Selection by MPs.
## Footnote
No. Lindsay Hoyle won unanimous reelection after the 2019 election, despite the fact he is a Labour MP
74
Who did John Bercow allegedly bully?
Kate Emms, his private secretary
75
The Speaker stands...
Unopposed by the major parties
76
Evidence the speaker's position is more controversial?
1. Last two speakers - Bercow and Michael Martin - both embroiled in scandals
2. Greens are standing against Hoyle - third parties do not respect the lack of opposition
77
Example of a select committee election that caused the whip to be removed?
Julian Lewis elected to chair the Intelligence and Security Committee as a Tory candidate - defeated the other Tory candidate and did so by securing support of Labour etc. Was suspended. 2020.
78
Most rebellious backbench MP 1997-2010?
Jeremy Corbyn
79
Example of a private bill?
Middle Level Act 2018
## Footnote
Navigation in the East Anglia Fens
80
How is legislation being scrutinised increasingly before it reaches Parliament?
More and more bills being debated by select committees whilst still drafts in advance of their first reading.
## Footnote
10 bills handled in this way 2017-19
81
EVEL introduced? EVEL repealed
2015
## Footnote
2021
82
Problem with EVEL?
Speaker's certification for some bills which some people thought affected other countries. E.g. February 2020 NHS funding bill was EVEL but SNP said affected Scotland
83
Gina Miller?
Won a SCOTUK case in January 2017 - parliamentary approval needed for Brexit withdrawal agreement
84
What was the first bill in the Brexit process and what happened?
The Great Repeal Bill
## Footnote
EU Withdrawal Act 2017 - passed July 2017 - repealed ECA 1972
85
What was inserted into the 2018 EUWA?
Meaningful vote clause
86
What happened with the indicative vote?
The EUWA acts proposed by May failed. We needed an extension and we got one
87
What happened after we got the Brexit extension?
Backbenchers took control of government business on the 1st April and held four indicative votes on a way forward. All failed
88
What is the Cooper-Letwin Act?
An extension was passed by 1 vote on its third reading until Halloween 2019
89
What was the Benn Act?
Another PMB passed when Boris became PM with another extension unless we could get a Brexit deal or Parliament agreed a no deal exit
90
What ended the Brexit stalemate?
The Benn Act was triggered by a Letwin Amendment on a EUWB requiring the government to seek parliamentary approval. The government passed the Early Parliamentary General Election Act
91
When was the Brexit deal passed?
23rd January 2020
92
What majority did the final Brexit deal get?
99 and no Tories voting against
93
Example of SI?
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - SIs can be used to add drugs to the list
94
SI scrutiny done by...
Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
95
What is scrutiny of SIs like?
Worse - 3500 pass per year, about 100x bills
## Footnote
But government no majority
96
When are ballot bills debated?
First seven Friday settings (approximately 35 hours) of the 65 hours for PMBs per year in total
97
How often are PMBs debated?
13 Fridays 65 hours total
98
How many ballots drawn?
20
99
How many ballot bills 2017-19? Evidence ballot bills are good?
9, according to Parallel Parliament.
IfG - 75% of PMBs are ballot bills
100
Who allocates 10 minute rule bills slots and the problem?
Party whips
## Footnote
'Private member's' bills?
101
Example of backbench pressure preventing government action without a PMB?
2011 - Forestry privatisation prevented
102
Example of successful backbench pressure?
2006 Corporate Manslaughter Bill from backbench Labour
103
Maria Caulfield second job?
480 hours over 3 years because marginal seat of nursing
104
Example of specialist policy interest in Parliament?
Diabetes APPG with Tom Gordon/Theresa May
105
What is redress of grievances?
Go to your MP for help
106
Example of how redress of grievance/casework is a big part of being an MP?
2010 - first 10 months of one MP's tenure
## Footnote
Received 38,400 pieces of communication
107
Why is the delegate theory hard?
Do we know what our constituents really think?
108
Where does mandate theory fail and example?
Where there was no manifesto pledge
## Footnote
139 backbenchers voted against invasion of Iraq in 2003
109
What is redress of grievances?
Go to your MP for help.
110
Example of how redress of grievance/casework is a big part of being an MP?
In the first 10 months of one MP's tenure in 2010, received 38,400 pieces of communication.
111
Where does mandate theory fail and example?
Where there was no manifesto pledge.
## Footnote
139 backbenchers voted against invasion of Iraq in 2003.
112
Example of parliamentary privilege?
Lord Peter Hain broke an injunction in 2018 to name Sir Philip Green as the man behind a court injunction for accusations of sexual and racial harassment.
113
How do emergency debates start?
Speaker's discretion - the House is then petitioned for an emergency debate, usually at the end of the day, via a 3 minute speech.
114
What is the Backbench Business Committee? When was it set up?
A committee for Commons and Westminster Hall business, set up since 2010, meeting approximately 1 day per week.
115
How can one apply for a Westminster Hall debate?
Apply for a debate. Debates allocated by a ballot in the Speaker's Office.
116
What function of Parliament does WH reflect?
Deliberative - no votes.
117
Example WH debate?
12th February 2020 - support for hill farmers in Cumbria.
118
WH Mondays?
Petitions. All petitions more than 100,000 go to Petitions Committee.
119
WH debate power?
Limited, government only has to respond.
120
4 examples which shows debate in Parliament is dead?
1. Government doesn't lose - last 2nd reading defeat vote 1986.
2. Only 4 days for Budget and Government doesn't lose.
3. Lords amendments rejected.
4. Payroll vote.
121
Example of how the Lords' contributions are often ignored?
5 amendments to Boris' Brexit bill 2020 - all rejected.
122
What is a backbencher?
Does not sit in the first two rows.
123
How specifically is a hereditary peer elected? Example?
There is an election. For the 92 hereditary peers, 15 are elected by the whole house, 2 are strictly hereditary, and the remainder are elected by the hereditary peer caucus.
## Footnote
In 2023, Lord Camoys, a Baron, was elected by the whole house, since the seat he applied for was one of the 15 all house seats.
124
Who can run to be a hereditary peer?
Any of the 801 hereditary peers, from aristocratic lineage, of which 709 hold no seat.
125
How many life peers are there in the House?
670.
126
5 ways to become a peer?
1. Nomination by the PM as a life peer.
2. Nomination by opposition party leader for life peerage.
3. House of Lords Appointments Commission recommendation (CROSSBENCH ONLY).
4. Hereditary peers.
5. Lord Spiritual.
127
Can only the governing party appoint peers?
No, opposition gets a share too.
128
Breakdown of Lords Spiritual?
5 senior bishops, including both archbishops, and then the remaining 21 are by tenure.
129
What super rare way can someone be granted a peerage?
In theory, the monarch can grant a hereditary peerage, but this was last done in 1984, when Harold Macmillan was given a hereditary peerage.
130
What party can the House of Lords Appointments Commission appoint to?
Crossbench.
131
Can the House of Lords Appointment Commission (HOLAC) appoint?
No, can only recommend to the PM.
132
Who has veto power over peerages?
PM must approve all, and then the monarch grants letters patent.
133
What is Lords appointment by the PM an example of?
Patronage.
134
Example of a government minister sitting outside the Commons?
David Cameron appointed foreign secretary in November 2023, and appointed a Lord.
135
What is the Commons' power of legitimation?
Makes government action seem fair e.g. by approving laws because Commons represents the people.
136
Average constituency size? Vs America?
101,538 in UK vs 758,621 in US.
137
Example of successful delegate theory before mandate theory?
Ken Clarke voted for a meaningful vote amendment to the EU(W)A despite backlash from party because he represented a remain constituency.
138
When are government bills laid out?
Annual King's Speech.
139
Example of a Departmental Select Committee hearing?
Nick Hurd, Home Office Minister, questioned by Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on support for those affected by Grenfell.
140
Example of individual ministerial responsibility?
2018 - Amber Rudd resigned as Home Secretary after it became clear she had misled the Commons over her target for removing illegal immigrants.
141
What percentage of MPs are Oxbridge, versus real population?
23%, versus 1% of the real population.
142
Age discrepancy in the Commons?
52% are over 50, compared to 31.5% in general population.
143
Example of how Parliament is not immune from the kind of gridlock that plagues America?
2018 Assaults on Emergency Workers Act took over a year to pass.
144
Example of how legitimation function can break down?
Iraq War - approved by Parliament despite huge protests and general public opposition.
145
"Punch and Judy politics"?
PMQs.
146
Example of the limitation of select committees?
Foreign Affair Select Committee 2016 accused BoJo of "waffling" before the committee.
147
What key executive function does the Commons perform?
Produces a government.
148
Reasons to think delegate theory is bad?
Only 5 MPs in 2024 were elected with more than 50% of the vote. How can you represent the will of the majority?
149
Why is delegate theory practically flawed?
Short termism and NIMBYism e.g. opposition to Heathrow runway.
150
Can the Lords fulfil a representative status despite being unelected?
Yes, e.g. Lord Bird who represents the homeless.
151
Evidence that Lords legislative power is less effective?
Just under half of Lords amendments are accepted and prohibited from amending money bills.
152
Evidence that the House of Lords fulfils a similar role to the Senate in the US concerning policy scope?
More scope for research - 2016-17 41 reports on policy areas were released.
153
How is the government represented in the House of Lords?
Each government department has a member of the Lords that face questions from other Lords on behalf of their department.
154
When are government peers questioned in the Lords?
Each day Monday-Thursday for 30 minutes.
155
Evidence Commons scrutiny is more rigorous than the Lords though?
Far more questions in the Commons than the Lords.
156
Evidence of Lords legislative actions being powerful?
2015 - delayed cuts to tax credits, subsequently edited in the Autumn statement.
157
Age representation skew in the Lords?
Half of members are 70+ and the youngest member is 27.
158
Evidence of corruption in the Lords?
Can claim expenses. 277 peers spoke 5 times or less 2016-17 but claimed expenses.
159
Why is parliamentary sovereignty somewhat limited?
The executive controls the order paper, and the Commons could be seen as a rubber stamp. Really, it is prime ministerial sovereignty.
160
Evidence parliamentary sovereignty is limited?
It took Gina Miller to take the government to court to force a vote on Brexit.
161
What, precisely, is a statutory instrument? How, precisely, are they implemented?
A provision allowed for by the existing Act of Parliament that allows quick modification to a government bill by the relevant minister.
## Footnote
An affirmative SI requires approval by Parliament explicitly through the committee system, whereas a negative SI requires not being stopped.
162
Last time an affirmative SI was stopped?
1978.
163
How do Westminster Hall debates work?
The debate is held in the Grand Committee Room, and started by a backbencher. Then the two main opposition parties speak before the minister responds. There is no scope for government leadership, nor for a vote of any kind. It gives the backbenchers and the opposition the chance to expose their views.
164
How many bills were introduced by the government from 2015-17, and how many were passed?
55 bills were introduced, of which 48 were passed.
165
What is a Green Paper?
A government discussion document about a given issue.
## Footnote
Example: 2019 Adult Social Care green paper.
166
What is a White Paper?
A government document setting out detailed plans and proposals for legislation.
167
What do green papers and white papers represent?
They represent greater pre-legislative scrutiny in recent years.
168
How many bills were handled by select committees in the pre-legislative stage in the 2015-17 session?
10 bills.
169
Where does a bill start in the House after formulation?
First Reading.
170
What happens after the first reading?
The second reading occurs, where the main debate takes place.
171
Is defeat at the second reading common?
No, the last time was in 1986 (Sunday Trading Bill defeated 296-282).
172
What happens after the second reading?
A public bill committee is assembled.
173
What is a public bill committee?
A temporary committee set up for the lifetime of a given bill to consider it specifically.
174
Who appoints public bill committee members?
Government whips.
175
What can public bill committees do?
Call expert witnesses and suggest amendments.
176
Is major change to a bill likely at the public bill committee stage?
No.
177
What proportion of MPs on public bill committees have specialist experience?
63% have relevant experience, and 87% of amendments accepted by government came from this group.
178
What proportion of amendments by non-government MPs are successful?
0.5%.
179
Are opposition MPs allowed on a public bill committee?
Yes, but in party proportion so they are always in the minority.
180
What happens after the committee stage?
The bill returns to the Commons for the report stage.
181
What is the report stage?
The amendments suggested by the public bill committees and any other amendments are voted on.
182
What is the third reading?
The final debate and vote.
183
What happens after the third reading?
It goes to the other House for a repeat of the same process.
184
Example of parliamentary ping-pong?
The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 ping-ponged between Commons and Lords for 30 hours 4 times before a compromise was reached.
185
If Lords and Commons disagree, what happens?
The Parliament Act is invoked, meaning that the law automatically passes in a year.
186
When was the Parliament Act last used?
2004 - Hunting Act 2004.
187
What is the EVEL procedure?
English Votes for English Laws, a counterpoint to devolution.
188
How does EVEL work?
The speaker decides if the procedure is valid. If it is, the bill gets a speaker's certificate and after the report stage gets sent to the Legislative Grand Committee.
189
How many bills needed the EVEL procedure in its first year of operation?
9 bills.
190
Why did Brexit become so painful?
In January 2017, Gina Miller won a UKSC case that meant the government must get parliamentary approval for the Article 50 procedure.
191
When, besides prorogation, did UKSC intervene to uphold parliamentary sovereignty?
January 2017 - Gina Miller.
192
Example of government failing to control the legislative agenda at the third reading?
In June 2018, the meaningful vote clause entered the EU(W)A.
193
What was the EU(W)A 2019?
A PMB by Cooper-Letwin (Tories) that forced the government to seek an extension to 31/10/19 for Brexit to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
194
What is an SI?
Statutory Instrument.
195
How many SIs are passed annually?
About 3,500.
196
How does an SI work?
The minister creates a derogation of existing laws which must then be approved by Parliament.
197
What is a PMB?
A private member's bill - a law made by a backbencher.
198
When are PMBs useful?
1. Personal conviction 2. Party leadership divided 3. Uncontroversial.
199
2 key laws which started as PMBs?
Abolition of death penalty 1965, Abortion Act 1967.
200
3 types of PMBs?
1. Ballot bills 2. 10 minute rule bills 3. Presentation bills.
201
How many hours a year are dedicated to ballot bills and when?
65 hours, on Fridays throughout the year.
202
Why do you want to introduce a PMB as a ballot bill?
It has the best chance of becoming law.
203
How does the ballot bill system work?
Backbench MPs can enter a ballot to introduce a PMB, with 20 names drawn each year.
204
What is a handout bill?
An MP with no clue enters the ballot and, if successful, takes a government-sponsored bill to make law.
205
How to easily stop a ballot bill?
Talk until time runs out, making them vulnerable.
206
Example of a ballot bill being scuppered by the time limit?
All living men charged with homosexual offences would be cleared before the law change in 1967, but the government withdrew its support. 2016.
207
What happened regarding ballot bills in 2018?
Christopher Chope outspoken a bill that would've banned upskirting.
208
How does the ten minute rule bill work?
There is a ten minute period after PMQs where a backbencher can introduce a planned bill.
209
Do ten minute rule bills often work?
No, they often simply become talking points.
210
When has a ten minute rule bill been successful?
Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017.
211
What is a presentation bill?
An MP can introduce a bill of their choice during a Friday sitting after ballot bills have been discussed, with no debate.
212
4 ways to succeed with a PMB?
1. Support of government 2. Be uncontroversial 3. Get lucky 4. Exceptional circumstances.
213
If a ten minute bill presentation is successful, what happens next?
The bill enters the process, with a time scheduled for its first reading.
214
What happens at the first reading?
The bill is announced, without a debate, and ordered for printing.
215
What are the purposes of the three readings?
1. First reading - announce the existence of the bill. 2. Second reading - discuss general principles. 3. Third reading - limited debate with no amendments.
216
Why are there really four readings?
The report stage is also vital, with the amendments recommended being approved at this stage.
217
When is the third reading?
Usually immediately after the report stage finishes.
218
Why is the public bill committee hugely influential?
Their amended bill automatically goes to Commons for the report stage.
219
Evidence that public bill committee's power is limited?
Amendments tabled by public bill committees can be removed at report.
220
Why is the second reading not all that important?
It is a vote on principles, not on policy.
221
Example of House of Lords delaying a bill without formally vetoing it?
EU (Referendum) Bill 2013-14 was delayed because Lords ran out of time.
222
Difference between third reading in Lords and Commons?
In the Lords, amendments may be considered; in the Commons, no further amendments may be considered.
223
Where can bills fail which is similar to the US? Example?
If disagreement between the two Houses is likely, e.g. 2012 House of Lords Reform Bill was stopped.
224
What check on the legislative process is there?
A bill must receive royal assent, which was last withheld in 1708.
225
What happens at the Committee stage in the House of Lords?
All members can suggest amendments, and the whole House votes on all clauses.
226
Evidence debate in the Lords is more enriched than in the Commons?
There is no time limit for speaking at the Committee stage in the Lords.
227
When are votes on amendments held in the Lords?
Committee stage, Report stage, and third reading.
228
Why are the Lords allowed three opportunities to amend?
With time in between to allow more effective scrutiny.
229
What is the Strathclyde Review?
It limits the power of the Lords to review SIs.
230
Despite Strathclyde, what is the formal status of the Lords regarding SIs?
They can veto them.
231
Example of Lords delaying a Commons bill?
2002 Animal Health Bill - four month delay.
232
Who can introduce a PMB?
Any MP or peer.
233
When did PMBs begin?
In the late 1940s.
234
3 reasons PMBs were introduced?
1. Respond to public opinion faster 2. Reflect policy concerns 3. Influence when party leadership is divided.
235
What kind of law often comes as PMB and examples?
Matters of conscience.
## Footnote
Examples: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2025, Abortion Act 1967, Death penalty abolition 1965.
236
When are PMBs discussed?
13 Friday sittings, 65 hours in total.
237
Pro of ballot bills?
By far the most likely to become laws.
238
Con of ballot bills?
Can be filibustered.
239
Why do ballot bills depend on government support?
If government support is withheld, they can be outspoken in the chamber.
240
Main reason ballot bills are most likely to become law?
Scheduling guaranteed.
241
2 facts which show how ballot bills rule?
1. 75% of PMBs are ballot bills. 2. 16/20 ballot bills 2022-23 were passed.
242
How has the success rate of ballot bills risen?
From 9 in 2017-19 to 16 in 2022-23.
243
Who decides the slots for ten minute rule bills?
Party whips.
244
How do presentation bills work?
After notifying the Public Bill Office, they are presented during a Friday sitting.
245
Presentation bill evaluation?
Not usually very useful, except in exceptional circumstances.
246
How do MPs influence the executive in legislation?
1. PMBs 2. Indirect pressure.
247
Fact which shows problems with ten minute rule bills?
Since 1988, only 10 have become law.
248
Example of presentation bills being unsuccessful?
7/147 in 2022-23 became law, often used for procedural changes. e.g. currently a bill going through about labelling ceramic products with country of origin
249
Which institution checks the power of the executive in the UK?
UK Parliament has scrutiny powers of the executive.
250
What is the deliberative role of Parliament?
Making sure all measures and approved policies are reasonable and well discussed.
251
3 ways Parliament scrutinises the executive (important!)
1. Parliamentary Debates
2. Parliamentary Questions
3. Parliamentary Committees
252
Example of a parliamentary debate where the government was effectively scrutinised? Caveat?
August 2013 - strikes against al-Assad to deter future chemical weapon use voted down by Parliament. Lib Dems and Tory rebels defeated the Coalition government.
## Footnote
This was an exception, foreign policy is usually the preserve of government and PMs reserve the right to deploy troops overseas without Parliamentary scrutiny.
253
Example of parliamentary privilege in use?
2018 - Lord Peter Hain broke an injunction granted by the Court of Appeal to name Sir Philip Green as the man behind sexual and racial harassment allegations.
254
What is parliamentary privilege?
MPs exempt from laws of slander or contempt of court within Parliament.
255
Evidence parliamentary privilege is insignificant?
2016 - Skinner ejected from Parliament for calling Cameron 'dodgy Dave'.
256
A key type of debate used to scrutinise the government?
Emergency debates can be called at the speaker's discretion.
257
Example of an emergency debate?
July 2017 - contaminated blood scandal debate, moved by Diana Johnson. Caused the government to launch a full inquiry.
258
What is the Backbench Business Committee?
A body set up to represent backbenchers.
259
Power of the Backbench Business Committee?
Decide debate in Westminster Hall and in the Commons for approximately 1 day a week.
260
How do Westminster Hall debates work?
They are held 4 days a week in Westminster Hall. Any MP can apply to host a debate from the Speaker's Office.
261
Example of a Westminster Hall debate?
12th February 2020 - Tim Farron led a Westminster Hall debate on support for hill farmers.
262
2 roles of Westminster Hall?
1. Debates
2. Petitions
263
Who benefits most from the use of Westminster Hall?
Backbench MPs.
264
How do petitions work in the Westminster Hall?
1 day a week for consideration of petitions. Any petition with greater than 100,000 signatures must be considered. They must first go through the Petitions Committee, and some are binned off here.
265
Example of a petition that influenced government policy?
415,000 signatures of a petition to scrap parking charges for NHS staff during COVID-19. Became government policy.
266
Example of a failed petition?
700,000 signatures for government to pay statutory sick pay to the self-employed during COVID-19. Didn't happen.
267
Do failed petitions always mean bad things?
No, sometimes petitions can fail and it's an influence on government policy anyway.
268
Example of a petition indirectly influencing policy?
Trump visited UK after over 1 million signature petition to stop him. A lively debate ensued in Parliament after which Trump was not allowed to speak in Parliament.
269
Is Westminster Hall overall effective over Government?
Overall I would say no. They don't meet permanently and they do not directly legislate or hold sway over government.
270
Example that shows that legislative-executive crossover has increased in recent years?
1960 101 MPs on payroll
2018 141 MPs on payroll.
271
What is the payroll vote?
The guaranteed votes of government ministers in the UK Parliament under the doctrine of collective ministerial responsibility.
272
4 reasons Parliamentary debates are insignificant as a form of executive scrutiny?
1. Payroll vote
2. Overall majority
3. Lords - actual debate ignored
4. In the modern age, so many have already made up their mind.
273
2 reasons MPs have already made up their mind before a Commons debate?
1. Complexities of modern legislation
2. Whips.
274
Example that shows that Parliamentary debate of the Lords, though more informed, is often ignored?
2020 EU(W)A - not one of five amendments suggested accepted by Commons.
## Footnote
In these cases the Lords backed down.
275
Why are budget bills less well scrutinised? 2 reasons.
1. Government confidence vote so mostly politicking
2. Only 4 days given to budget votes.
276
Statistic about parliamentary questions 2017-18?
55,000 asked of government, of which 50,000 were written.
277
What is the most high profile occasion for questions as a scrutiny of the executive?
Weekly PMQs on a Wednesday.
278
What is a patsy question and why are they a flaw of executive scrutiny?
'Easy' questions asked by backbenchers to government ministers to fill time.
279
4 arguments that PMQs are effective executive scrutiny?
1. High profile so engages public
2. Forces the PM to address key issues, not like in other countries where separation of powers means the PM avoids scrutiny
3. Debating performance allows good politicians to mark themselves out e.g. David Cameron in 2005 quipped that Tony Blair 'was the future once'
4. PMQs keep PMs on their toes, Cameron said it gave him 'total fear and trepidation'.
280
4 arguments that PMQs are ineffective executive scrutiny?
1. Creates a misleading view of politics and how government works
2. Adversarial politics rules
3. Patsy questions - wasted questions
4. Publically unpopular.
281
Who criticised PMQs for being overly adversarial?
John Bercow stated in 2014 that PMQs evoked 'yobbery and public school twittishness'.
282
Fact that shows that PMQs are unpopular?
Just 12% of people said PMQs made them feel proud of Parliament.
283
Example of a minister being held to account for lacking ministerial responsibility?
Rishi Sunak was criticised by Lindsay Hoyle for announcing a 350 billion COVID-19 support package in a televised briefing and not in Parliament because it removed the prerogative of Parliament to hold a minister to account.
284
Famous quote about Cabinet collective responsibility?
James Callaghan 1977 - 'I certainly think that principle should apply, except in circumstances in which I say it shouldn't'.
285
What kind of ministerial scrutiny has become more popular in recent times? An example?
UQs - urgent questions, asked of ministers after PMQs - in the year following the 2017 Queen's Speech 114 were approved by the Speaker.
286
3 types of committee
1. Select
2. Public Bill
3. Lords.
287
What is a standing committee?
An old name for a Public Bill Committee.
288
How long do PBCs last and a comment?
Only for the lifetime of the bill under consideration.
## Footnote
Lack the accumulated wisdom of select committees, whose members usually have relevant experience.
289
Numbers on a PBC and who is allowed and by whom?
16-20
All parties
Government has a majority and whips choose.
290
What did UCL think about the effectiveness of PBCs?
'Parliamentary scrutiny of bills is arguably where the House of Commons is at its weakest - and the committee stage is central to that weakness.'
291
4 reasons to think PBCs are effective?
1. Cross party
2. Can make effective changes to bills
3. Expert witnesses and pressure groups can be called, allowing greater transparency
4. Opportunities for backbench MPs.
292
Example that shows that PBCs are more bipartisan?
Joint opposition and government chairs.
293
Example of a PBC making effective legislation?
In the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 PBC, effective safeguards for journalists were installed by the PBC.
294
Example of an expert witness being called?
2019-21 Environment Bill Committee called George Monbiot, a lifelong environmental activist to give evidence.
295
Who is usually on a PBC and an evaluative comment?
The relevant government minister.
## Footnote
Good for quality of debate, bad for bipartisanship.
296
Example of a junior minister being on a PBC?
Rebecca Pow, a junior DEFRA minister, was on the 2019-21 Environment Bill Committee.
297
3 reasons to think PBCs are ineffective?
1. Just 8% of PBC members sit on the relevant departmental select committee - lack of aggregate expertise
2. Committee membership is party proportional and chosen by party whips. Loyalists are rewarded
3. Just 0.5% of opposition amendments are accepted.
298
What is the most significant type of committee?
Select.
299
What is the job of select committees?
Ensure the efficiency of governments in key areas.
300
2 roles of select committees?
1. Pre-legislative scrutiny
2. Launch inquiries to ensure the efficiency of government departments.
301
Oldest select committee, and fact?
1857 Public Accounts Committee.
## Footnote
Usually chaired by a senior backbench MP in this case Meg Hillier since 2015.
302
When did the select committee system debut?
1979 - a select committee for all government departments.
303
Who often chairs select committees and an example?
MPs with relevant experience.
## Footnote
Until 2019, Health was Sarah Wollaston, a former GP. After this was Jeremy Hunt, former health secretary.
304
Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee?
Neil Parish, from a farming background.
305
How many select committees?
28.
306
Membership of select committee?
11, with party proportionality.
## Footnote
HENCE GOVERNMENT MAXES ALL SELECT COMMITTEES.
307
Does the government CHAIR all select committees though?
No - since 2010 has been split up by party and then voted on in a secret ballot.
308
Are select committees bipartisan? Evidence?
More than the Commons.
## Footnote
September 2020 - Treasury Select Committee recommended an extension to furlough scheme, originally a Labour policy.
309
Who decides what select committees investigate?
Themselves.
310
What power did select committees gain in 2007?
The ability to review major ministerial appointments of those heading quasi-government agencies.
311
Example of the select committee using its power to check government appointments?
Charlotte Hogg, deputy governor of the BoE, resigned after being criticised for a poor performance before the Treasury Select Committee.
312
How many select committee reports were made in the period 2017-19?
267.
313
2 reasons to think select committee reports are important?
1. Government must respond within 60 days
2. 40% of amendments accepted.
314
What is the Commons Liaison Committee? What does it do?
A select committee for select committee chairs to quiz the PM 3 times a year ish.
315
What is the relationship between civil servants and select committees?
Senior civil servants are often used as witnesses on select committees. They may not blame their minister or anyone else - civil servants carry out policy. They are accountable to their ministers and act as their mouthpiece.
316
Example of a select committee report holding the government to account?
In 2015 the government promised to do something about pavement parking. When they basically didn't, the Transport select committee published a 2019 report to try and get them to do something. In 2020 the Department for Transport confirmed it would carry out a consultation with LAs to assess.
317
4 reasons to think the select committees have become effective?
1. Less party political - many are opposition chaired and most of the time consensus is achieved
2. Select committees are increasingly high profile, taking power away from traditional sources
3. Select committees have, since 2007, scrutinised executive appointments. This was not previously done under the UK Constitution and created issues
4. Less executive control over scrutiny since secret ballots introduced in 2010.
318
Example that shows that select committees are more well known?
In 2008, annual press mentions of the Home Affairs Committee was 295. By 2012 it was 2033.
319
Example that shows that government doesn't always take select committee reports seriously enough?
They often leave them unopened and fail to respond within 60 days, simply making the response 'overdue'.
320
4 reasons to think select committees are ineffective?
1. There are a clear lack of checks and balances. Their reports are advisory
2. They do not scrutinise legislation like the PBCs are able to
3. Party loyalties are still vital
4. The majority of suggestions are rejected (60%) and only 0.5% of opposition amendments are accepted.
321
Example that shows that partisanship is still an issue on select committees?
125/1325 select committee reports 2010-19 were voted on, and many votes were on party lines.
322
Least significant type of committee?
Lords committee.
323
How are Lords committees similar to select committees?
They may launch enquiries and they can produce reports.
324
3 reasons Lords Committees are different to select committees?
1. Committees do not shadow departments
2. Not all are permanent
3. Fewer members (11 rather than 12).
325
2 types of Lords Committees?
1. Ad hoc/special inquiry committee
2. Permanent committees.
326
How are ad hoc Lords Committees set up?
Lord Liaison Committee hears proposals on special inquiry committees from peers.
327
Typically, how many special inquiry Lords Committees are established each year by the Lord Liaison Committee?
4.
328
Example of an ad hoc Lords Committee?
COVID-19 Committee.
329
What are the 6 permanent Lords committees?
1. Constitution Committee
2. European Union Committee
3. Communications Committee
4. Science and Technology Committee
5. Economic Affairs Committee
6. International Relations Committee.
330
Example of a Lords Committee making a report and evaluative comment?
2014 - Communications Committee produced a report about election debates. Clearly wasn't effective - they have not been widely deployed.
331
What is an example of another type of more rare committee?
Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.
## Footnote
Both Lords and Commons but chosen by party whips, although it elects its own chair. Effectually a select committee.
332
5 ways backbench MPs can influence legislation?
1. PMBs
2. Voting
3. Asking questions of ministers (written or oral)
4. Serving on committees
5. Informal lobbying.
333
4 types of opposition?
1. Official Opposition
2. Intra-party
3. Inter-party
4. Other opposition.
334
When does intra-party occur?
Within the party.
335
Principle of opposition?
Give the government feedback - don't shout from the sidelines.
336
When does inter-party occur?
Between coalition parties.
337
An example of the way the official opposition must differentiate itself?
Has a shadow cabinet.
338
5 privileges of the official opposition?
1. 17/20 opposition days
2. 5 opening questions at PMQs for leader of OO
3. Members of shadow Cabinet can ask questions of ministers and propose opposition policies
4. Leader salary plus 3 whips
5. Right to reply to ministerial comments.
339
Example of an effective use of opposition days by the OO?
In 2009, the Tories used an opposition day to pass a vote to allow Gurkhas to settle in the UK. Government obliged to change policy.
340
Who gets the 3/20 opposition days?
3rd party, currently SNP.
341
3 examples of inter-party opposition and comment
1. 2011.
342
What can members of the shadow Cabinet do?
Members of shadow Cabinet can ask questions of ministers and propose opposition policies.
343
Who receives the leader salary plus 3 whips?
The leader of the opposition.
344
What is the right to reply?
The right to reply to ministerial comments.
345
Example of effective use of opposition days?
In 2009, the Tories used an opposition day to pass a vote to allow Gurkhas to settle in the UK. Government obliged to change policy.
346
Give 3 examples of inter-party opposition and comment.
1. 2011 tuition fees
2. 2011 AV
3. Inheritance tax cuts
## Footnote
In only one were Lib Dems successful.
347
Example of effective intra-party opposition?
2012 House of Lords Reform Bill failed.
348
What are 4 strengths of UK opposition?
1. Extra funding
2. Government in waiting vibe
3. Opposition can change government policy
4. Backbench rebels can check the leadership.
349
Example of extra funding for opposition?
Short money - for policy research.
350
What are 3 examples of weaknesses of opposition?
1. Government has greater resources, not least control of parliamentary business.
2. Quality of shadow cabinet dependent - Diane Abbott 2017 interview.
3. Successful opposition unlikely due to government majority.
351
Example of a power government has that the opposition does not?
Controlling parliamentary calendar.
352
What is the normal executive-legislative relationship?
Executive > Legislature.
353
Give 4 examples of the executive dominance of Parliament.
1. 60% of select committee suggestions ignored.
2. PMBs usually fail.
3. Most days of parliamentary business controlled by the government.
4. Most MPs and parliamentarians follow a party line.
354
Example that shows opposition day defeat is rare?
2009 defeat for government was last time since 1997.
355
What are 3 reasons to think the executive does NOT dominate Parliament?
1. Defeat is possible when majorities are slim e.g. Theresa May Brexit failure or 2012 Lords reform failure.
2. PMBs are useful - abortion, death penalty abolition, Benn/Cooper-Letwin Acts...
3. 20 opposition days are useful e.g. Gurkha vote 2009.
356
What are 5 reasons to think Parliament is effective?
1. Increasingly ethnically diverse.
2. Recall petitions since 2010.
3. Backbench rebellions more common.
4. House of Lords reform.
5. Gridlock rarely seen.
357
Example that shows legislative scrutiny is weak and party political?
11 days in 1/2020 to pass BoJo Brexit deal of 100 pages.
358
What are 4 reasons to think Parliament is ineffective?
1. When there is a parliamentary majority, you can do whatever.
2. When there isn't, you can do nothing. 2019 Brexit fiasco - backbenchers unable to achieve a way forward through INDICATIVE VOTES.
3. Committees lack prerogative to stop government.
4. Debates and votes highly political and no real scrutiny.
359
How many questions were asked in 2017-18?
55,000 questions, 50,000 written.
360
Percentage of public who think PMQs casts the government in a good light?
12%.
361
What is an urgent question?
A question bolted onto the end of the ordinary ministerial questions slot.
362
How many urgent questions were there in 2017?
114 rising.
363
Numbers on PBC?
16-20.
364
How are PBCs non-partisan?
2 joint chairs, one from each party.
365
Example of effective changes from PBC?
Investigatory Powers Act 2016 - safeguards for journalists.
366
Example of an expert witness at a PBC?
George Monbiot Environment Bill 2020-21.
367
What was the first select committee?
1857 - PAC.
368
How are parties balanced on select committees?
By parliamentary makeup. However, since 2010, chairs have been allocated by party so you vote for the Chair from a given party.
369
Example of how the competition for SC chairs is variable?
January 2020 - 13 chairs elected unopposed, but Julian Knight won the Chair of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by just nine votes.
370
Example of cross party consensus from SCs?
September 2020 - Treasury SC urged government to adopt labour policy (extension of COVID-19 furlough).
371
Example that shows poor performance before an SC is not career ending?
Caroline Nokes immigration minister - gave misleading answers about skilled migrants before becoming chair of Women's and Equalities Committee in 2020.
372
Evidence that SC scrutiny of executive appointments is nowhere near what it is in the US?
Amanda Spielman was recommended for rejection after poor performance before the Education Committee. But got the job.
373
How many SC rejections are there for executive nominees? When did this begin?
2007 - 2007-2017 - 13/59.
374
What is the Lords equivalent of a PBC? How do you get one?
Special Inquiry Committees. Write to Lords Liaison Committee.
375
How many Special Inquiry Committees per year?
4.
376
SC number of members? Difference to Special Inquiry Committees?
11 on select, 12 on special.
377
2 reasons parliamentary arithmetic is important when determining how significant the opposition are?
1. Ability to outvote government.
2. Moral right when more votes.
378
Good government needs good opposition. Example of how the threat of opposition could create better government?
COVID-19 furlough scheme.
379
How often are select committees ignored?
60% of the time.
380
What power does the Commons have in legislation over the Lords effectively?
Because of convention and also Parliament Acts the Commons can effectively reject amendments by the Lords by voting against them.
381
What happens after a no confidence motion?
If a government is not formed within 14 days which wins a confidence motion, an election takes place.
382
Does the Lords have the power to veto secondary legislation? What effect did the Strathclyde Review have on this?
Lords has the power to veto secondary legislation. Strathclyde Review said the government should implement reforms to limit this, but this has not been done.
383
Are all secondary legislative measures SIs?
No, they can also be Church of England measures and bylaws (laws made by authorities such as councils to whom power is delegated).
384
4 places the Commons has greater power?
1. Greater powers of scrutiny - can bring down a government and more questions are asked in the Commons.
2. The Commons can overrule legislation, whereas the Lords can only delay it.
3. The Lords cannot oppose manifesto legislation.
4. Amendments are often ignored e.g. EU(W)A 2020 all 5 amendments rejected.
385
What is a Lords filibuster and why is it important?
The Lords can filibuster a bill by the same method as in the Senate, with the Lords calendar being strictly controlled. A closure motion can be called with a simple majority, however, and the Lord Speaker cannot oppose it, only reminding the Lords that it is a measure which must only be used in exceptional circumstances.
386
True or False - finance bills may only be amended in the Commons?
True.
387
What is the difference between a budget and a Finance Bill?
A Finance Bill is a law which makes into legislation those changes set out in the budget. However, crucially, a Finance Bill can occasionally occur without a budget statement - this is what happened to Liz Truss. Also, note that Autumn Statements often count as budget statements for the introduction of a subsequent Finance Bill.
388
Are there sanctions for refusing to attend select committee or PBC hearings? Evidence?
Yes, you can be found in 'contempt of Parliament', a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment or admonishment. However, punishments are rarely meted out, even in high stakes situations. The DCMS SC ruled Cummings in contempt of Parliament in 2019 for refusing to attend a hearing, but nothing came of this, even when the chair said action was needed.
389
Example of MPs using their parliamentary privilege?
On 23rd May 2011, Lib Dem MP John Hemming named Ryan Giggs as the footballer behind an injunction over an extramarital affair.
390
Where can backbench MPs get more influence?
Select committees.
391
Why is ministerial questioning perhaps structurally ineffective?
Speaker's Office question allocation system is not based on the merit of the question.
392
Example of a backbencher who attained committee influence?
ATOM GORDON whoop whoop. Got a place on the Assisted Dying Bill PBC and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee thanks to his background working for a diabetes charity.
393
Example of a successful backbench rebellion?
2012 House of Lords Reform Bill - 91 Tory speedbumps.
394
Example of a failed backbench rebellion and evidence it might have been successful anyway?
In September 2019, with a majority of 0 following Philip Lee's defection to the LDs, the Tories lost a vote to prevent the Benn Act (mandatory extension to negotiating period if no deal achieved) from being timetabled. The 21 Tory MPs who voted with the opposition lost the whip, including big names like Ken Clarke and Phillip Hammond. But two members of Cabinet, including Jo Johnson, resigned.
395
Name the different types of minister and how the Cabinet is composed.
Ministers can be Secretaries of State, Ministers of State, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. The Cabinet's composition is decided by the PM but is usually all the Secretaries of State plus a few accoutrements.
396
How has the government used an increase in the number of ministers to ensure loyalty?
Many start off as Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, which is sometimes an unpaid position, and this is seen as a step on the ladder. So governments can use this to ensure loyalty.
397
Example of a constituency focused backbench rebellion?
Tracey Crouch abstained on tuition fee increases 2011.
398
What is a select committee?
A permanent committee composed of MPs or Lords that investigates and scrutinises both the government and the private sector for the public interest.
399
How are select committees composed?
1. The committee chairs are distributed among the various political parties before a secret ballot of all MPs using AV is used to select the Chair.
2. Membership is allocated by the House to the other political parties, who elect members since 2010.
400
Evidence select committee apportionment is weird?
Lib Dems are overrepresented, but only on some committees.
401
What 2 reforms came along in 2010 for select committees?
1. Elected members (by internal protocol for each party).
2. Chairs elected by MPs in a secret ballot.
402
Are all select committees departmental?
No; some pre-1979 ones are not. Example is the Public Accounts Committee.
403
What are 3 things the select committees can do?
1. Scrutinise law.
2. Investigate the executive.
3. Publish reports recommending policy changes.
404
Do select committees always investigate government?
No - can investigate public institutions e.g. Business, Innovation and Skills select committee investigated Mike Ashley.
405
What is the main difference between Lords and Commons select committee?
Lords select committees are more ad hoc and broad policy focused. Most Commons select committees shadow departments and their work is permanent.
406
Are all Lords committees ad hoc?
No, there are permanent ones which are set up at the beginning of each parliamentary session and run for at least the length of the parliamentary session.
407
Example of select committee questioning?
Nick Buckles called his own company 'a humiliating shambles' after it was revealed they had not provided enough security at the 2012 Olympics, after it was exposed by a select committee.
408
2 reasons select committees are often not as rigorous in their scrutiny?
1. They cannot force government ministers or anyone to appear. E.g. Dominic Cummings. Can rule that person in contempt of Parliament but punishment is rare.
2. Majority of MPs are from the government party.
409
Example of a select committee report actually changing government policy?
2018 Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee report on the importance of the private rented sector encouraged the Government's Build to Rent programme, which increased the number of homes available for rent.
410
Are US standing committees more powerful over legislation than UK select committees?
Yes, because they can edit laws before they even get to the debate stage.
411
What are 3 ways the opposition can check the executive?
1. Ministerial question time.
2. PMQs.
3. Adjournment debates.
412
What is an adjournment debate and are they effective?
A debate for the final 30 minutes of a Parliamentary sitting each day where backbench MPs can quiz the relevant minister. Not very effective. Rarely attended by those apart from the relevant minister and the quizzing MP, and other MPs may only speak with the permission of the tabling MP and the minister responding.
413
How does the emergency debate procedure work?
Apply to the Speaker's Office, who then decides whether you can make the emergency debate speech, and then you can go to the House.
414
Who is more powerful - the House of Representatives speaker or the Speaker of the House of Commons?
Speaker of the House of Commons. Has the powers of the HRC and much of the agenda setting power - can approve an attempt at an emergency debate, directs who is allowed to speak and controls applications for some adjournment debates.
415
What phrase should be used to describe the shadow Cabinet?
"government-in-waiting".
416
What are 3 things that affect the significance of the Opposition and examples?
1. Size of majority - 1979 no confidence vote versus 179 seat Blair majority.
2. Unity.
3. Clear alternative? E.g. Boris government stronger on Brexit with Labour.
417
How does ministerial oral question time work?
The first hour of business Monday to Thursday is ministerial question time.
418
How does PMQs work?
The leader of the opposition gets 6 questions, the leader of the third party gets 2, and then the floor opens to those who put the open question (about engagements) as their first question to ask their supplementaries.
419
Why shouldn't we get too carried away about PMQs being superfluous?
It is not the bulk of ministerial questioning by any means, and most questions are written.
420
What proportion of ministerial questions are written?
282 written Qs per day, with 91 oral. Only around 1/4 are written.
421
Evidence patsy questions are planted?
David Cameron's aides sent emails round to backbench MPs recommending good questions for PMQs.
422
Evidence written questions are more used than oral questions?
2017-19, an average of 282 written Qs per day, with 91 oral.
423
Who chooses members of select committees in the UK?
Each party has its own nomination process for who should be on a select committee as a member, and within each party MPs may pursue this route if they wish to become members of a select committee. MPs are then voted on to become select committee members by the whole House.
424
Does the majority party hence have a majority on all UK select committees?
Yes, the governing party usually has a majority on all select committees, since their membership (of ~12) is designed to represent the Parliamentary composition.
