British Parliament and Government Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are members of the House of Lords commonly referred to as?
Peers
A peerage is a title granted by the King.
What are Reserve Powers?
Powers that exist but are used only in unusual or extreme circumstances.
What is the role of a Party Whip?
To maintain discipline and loyalty, inform MPs about parliamentary business, and act as communication between backbenchers and party leaderships.
Who are Backbenchers?
MPs who do not hold any government post or are not senior members of the main opposition party.
What is the highest political authority in the UK?
Parliament.
What does it mean that powers are described as ‘fused’ in the UK?
There is no strict separation of powers between the legislature and the executive.
What two accountability requirements does the government have to Parliament?
- Ministers must appear regularly to explain policies
- Parliament may remove government through a vote of no confidence.
What does it mean for Parliament to be legally sovereign?
It is the source of all political power and can make any laws it wishes.
What is meant by Parliament being ‘omnicompetent’?
Parliament may make any laws it wishes, and they shall be enforced by courts and other authorities.
What has Parliament lost in terms of political sovereignty?
Much of its political sovereignty, as the government usually enjoys a majority.
How many MPs are there in the House of Commons?
650 MPs.
What are the two main types of committees in the House of Commons?
- Legislative
- Select.
What is the primary function of the Speaker in the House of Commons?
To preside over proceedings and maintain order.
What is the role of Parliament in legitimating laws?
To give laws democratic legitimacy by representing the people’s consent.
What are Private Member’s Bills?
Legislation introduced by MPs who are not government ministers.
What is the Salisbury Convention?
An unwritten rule that the Lords must not obstruct proposals in the government’s manifesto.
How many hereditary peers are there in the House of Lords?
92 members.
What is the composition of the House of Lords?
- 92 hereditary peers
- 26 Lords Spiritual
- Life peers and crossbenchers.
What is the function of the House of Lords in scrutinising legislation?
To challenge the government and scrutinise secondary legislation.
What do the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 establish regarding the Lords?
The Lords can only refuse to pass a piece of legislation once.
True or False: The House of Lords has control over financial business.
False.
Fill in the blank: The House of Commons consists of _____ constituencies.
533 constituencies.
