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Politics > 6. Parliament > Flashcards

6. Parliament Flashcards

1
Q

What was released in 1689 and what was it’s significance

A

The Bill of Rights - established parliamentary supremacy during the 17th Century

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2
Q

When did the House of Lords lose its right of veto over legislation

A

Parliament Act 1911

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3
Q

What led to the Parliament Act of 1911

A

The attempt by the House of Lords to veto the ‘People’s Budget’ prompted this change.

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4
Q

Uk government layout

A
  • Parliamentary government
  • voters elect the House of Commons, and the executive is chosen from its members.
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5
Q

Uks parliamentary sovergineity

A

ensures that executive power derives from Commons support. If the government loses a vote of confidence, it must resign.

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6
Q

collective ministerial responsibility

A

frontbench MPs, including senior and junior ministers, must publicly support government policy.

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7
Q

party whips

A

maintain party discipline, ensuring MPs support the party line.

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8
Q

What do Party Whips do

A

report potential rebellions and, on important issues, issue a three-line whip, obliging MPs to attend and vote as directed by the leadersh

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9
Q

function of the House of Commons

A

democratically elected chamber, representing constituencies across the UK. MPs scrutinize the government, vote on legislation, and hold the power to dismiss a government through a vote of confidence.

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10
Q

The speaker of the House of Commons

A

responsible for ensuring impartiality and effective functioning. Their role includes arranging parliamentary business, ensuring proper procedures are followed, presiding over debates, and maintaining discipline.

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11
Q

main role of the leader of the official opposition

A

ensures government accountability and presents alternative policies

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12
Q

Official Opposition during Prime Minister Questions

A

They have the right to ask six questions, allowing them to pressure the prime minister and offer political solutions.

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13
Q

Legislative functions in the House of Commons

A
  1. reading
  2. reading debate
  3. scrutiny by public bill
  4. report stage debate
  5. third reading debate
  6. approval by the house of lords
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14
Q

Criticisms of the legislated functions

A

Public Bill Committees often vote along party lines with a government majority, limiting objectivity. MPs are expected to vote as instructed by party whips on many bills,

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15
Q

What advantage does the parliamentary system offer for Members of Parliament (MPs) to prove their abilities?

A

MPs can showcase their abilities in parliamentary debates and discussions, providing them with an opportunity to demonstrate their fitness for government roles

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16
Q

How does the process of selecting front benches for the government and opposition impact the choice of ministers in the UK Parliament?

A

The selection process for front benches significantly restricts choice, as only a limited number of backbenchers from the governing party are given ministerial roles. This process, controlled by the prime minister, grants significant patronage power and may discourage dissent among backbenchers, fostering conformity and reducing debate.

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17
Q

two parliamentary committees established to facilitate backbench MPs

A
  • Backbench Business Committee (established in 2010)
  • Petitions Committee (established in 2015
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18
Q

purpose of adjournment debates

A

take place at the end of each day’s sitting, allowing MPs to question ministers

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19
Q

how long are the adjournemnt debates

A

limited to 30 minutes

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20
Q

early day motions

A

MPs urging debate on specific issues.

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21
Q

emergency debate, and how can it be initiated

A

can be requested by an MP under House of Commons standing order 24. If allowed by the speaker, the MP has three minutes to make a case for the debate. The House of Commons then decides whether the emergency debate will take place

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22
Q

urgent question, and how can an MP initiate it

A

MP who believes an issue needs immediate ministerial attention. The MP applies to the speaker, and if deemed in the public interest, the minister is required to explain the government’s actions.

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23
Q

Example of an urgent question

A

Angela Rayner’s - January 2022 on whether the prime minister knowingly broke lockdown restrictions.

24
Q

a notable example of parliamentary effectiveness in debating and scrutinizing a significant issue?

A

December 2021, the House of Commons debate on the introduction of Covid-19 passes in England demonstrated the power of arguments on both sides, emphasizing the extent to which the government can intrude into people’s private lives.

25
Q

How is the background of Members of Parliament (MPs) criticized in terms of diversity and representation?

A

the lack of diversity, with 66% of MPs having a career in law, business, or finance, and 27% of MPs being privately educated.

26
Q

Gina Miller case (2017) impact the prime minister’s ability to initiate processes related to Brexit without consulting the House of Commons?

A

declared that the prime minister could not legally initiate Brexit negotiations without considering the House of Commons, emphasizing that such actions needed to be authorized by Parliament

27
Q

current composition of the House of Lords in terms of bishops, hereditary peers, and life peers

A

800 members, including 26 bishops, 92 hereditary peers, and the majority being life peers.

28
Q

Who presides over the House of Lords, and what is their role?

A

the Lord Speaker, who is responsible for maintaining order and managing debates

29
Q

How does the House of Lords differ from the House of Commons in terms of debates,

A

, focusing on scrutinizing and revising legislation, conducts more courteous debates compared to the House of Commons.

30
Q

: How has the nomination of peerages by prime ministers been controversial, +historical examples

A

g David Lloyd George’s abuse of this right during the First World War and criticism of Harold Wilson and David Cameron for their appointments,

31
Q

primary function of the House of Lords in terms of legislation,

A

revising chamber in the legislative process.stop bills from becoming law, it thoroughly examines bills sent from the House of Commons, proposing amendments that often refine the content of legislation.

32
Q

parliamentary ping-pong

A

negotiation process between the House of Commons and the House of Lords over proposed amendments to legislation before it receives royal assent.

33
Q

cases where heavy defeats in the House of Lords influenced government decisions on legislation?

A

Counter-Terrorism Bill (2008) and George Osborne’s plan to cut tax credits (2015), both of which led the government to reconsider or drop certain measures.

34
Q

House of Lords Sessional Committee on Secondary Legislation Scrutiny.

A

valuable role in scrutinizing secondary legislation. Given the limited time in the House of Commons for examining secondary legislation, this committee highlights poorly worded or rushed measures in statutory instruments.

35
Q

joint committees

A

nclude members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Some, like the Human Rights, National Security Strategy, and Statutory Instruments committees, are permanent and meet regularly

36
Q

what exclusive right does the House of Commons possess?

A

sole right to defeat a bill, and it also possesses the exclusive right to dismiss the government if it loses a vote of confidence.

37
Q

What advantages does the House of Lords have over the House of Commons?

A

The House of Lords has advantages over the House of Commons, including members not being bound by constituency duties, allowing more time for scrutiny. Members are not elected or bound by party manifestos, enhancing their ability to act independently. The House of Lords is known for its expertise and independence in examining legislation.

38
Q

three examples of members in the House of Lords with specialist experience and contributions.

A
  1. Lord Norton of Louth (Philip Norton): A professor of politics - Lord Norton provides constitutional insights to political debate.
  2. Baroness Black of Strome (Sue Black): An anatomist and forensic anthropologist, Baroness Black contributes to criminal trials and war crimes investigations.
  3. Lord Darroch of Kew (Kim Darroch): With 40 years in the diplomatic service, Lord Darroch served as the UK’s national security adviser and ambassador to the United States.
39
Q

role of backbenchers in both the House of Commons

A

ave the primary roles of representing the interests of their constituents, scrutinizing the government’s work, evaluating legislation, legitimizing certain government decisions (like committing troops), and raising significant issues.

40
Q

role of backbenchers in both the House of Commons

A

ave the primary roles of representing the interests of their constituents, scrutinizing the government’s work, evaluating legislation, legitimizing certain government decisions (like committing troops), and raising significant issues.

41
Q

parliamentary privilege for backbenchers,

A

ensuring that the freedom of speech and debates in Parliament cannot be questioned or impeached in any court or place outside Parliament.

42
Q

Shops Bill 1986

A

72 Conservative MPs voted against plans to deregulate Sunday trading, and the government lost the vote.

43
Q

Reform of Sunday Trading Laws 2016:

A

Plans to extend opening hours were defeated when 27 Conservative MPs rebelled.

44
Q

The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2019

A

The Johnson government failed three times to secure the 2/3 majority needed for a snap general election.

45
Q

purpose of ministerial questions

A

rovide a platform for members of the legislature to question the executive, holding them accountable for government policies

46
Q

parliamentary privilege, and how does it protect members of Parliament?

A

principle that protects MPs and peers from being sued for libel or slander within the Palace of Westminster

47
Q

purpose of ministerial questions, and how do they contribute to government accountability

A

platform for Members of Parliament (MPs) to question government ministers about policies and decisions. These questions, both oral and written, ensure that ministers remain accountable to the House of Commons.

48
Q

: Describe the significance and format of Prime Minister’s Questions

A

weekly session where the Prime Minister is questioned by MPs in the House of Commons. It provides a crucial opportunity to hold the Prime Minister accountable for government policy.

49
Q

t criticisms and defenses are often raised regarding Prime Minister’s Questions

A

discourages genuine debate, and Prime Ministers often avoid answering questions. Some claim that it is more about theatrical counterclaims and assertions, serving as a platform for electioneering rather than effective policy scrutiny.

50
Q

Liaison Committee,

A

comprises chairs of all select committees and questions the Prime Minister annually. It offers a less confrontational and more focused platform for detailed oral questions

51
Q

opposition days

A

specific days in the parliamentary calendar when opposition parties have the opportunity to choose the subjects for debate in the House of Commons. The main opposition party typically selects the motion for debate on the majority of these days. These debates allow opposition parties to scrutinize government policies, expose failures, and present alternative perspectives.

52
Q

Importance of Constituency Work:

A

Constituency work involves MPs engaging with individual and community issues, holding regular surgeries, and addressing constituents’ concerns.

53
Q

Contribution to Parliament

A

y being actively involved in the community and addressing constituents’ concerns, MPs contribute to one of the fundamental functions of Parliament — providing a platform for the redress of grievances.

54
Q

ow did the repeal of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act impact the Prime Minister’s authority in determining the general election date?

A

The Johnson government repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, restoring the Prime Minister’s right to determine the date of the general election. This change returned the authority to call for early elections to the Prime Minister, allowing greater flexibility in choosing election timing.

55
Q
A
56
Q

Shadow minister example

A

Diana Abbot - Shadow Of Home Secretary 2016-2020

57
Q

HOL reform act 2014

A

Allow them to retire or resign
- if part of crime or haven’t turned up in a while

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