Component 2: Parliament Flashcards
Parliament
the British legislature (lawmaking body), made up of
the House of Commons,
House of Lords and
monarch.
House of Commons
the primary chamber of
the UK legislature, directly
elected by voters.
House of Lords
the second chamber of the
UK legislature, not directly
elected by voters.
Backbenchers
MPs who do not have a
ministerial or shadowministerial position. They
occupy the benches in the
debating chamber behind
their leaders. Their main
role is to represent their
constituencies. They are
also expected to support
the leaders of their
respective parties.
Opposition
the official opposition is
usually the party with the
second-largest number
of seats in the Commons.
Its role is to criticise the
government and to oppose
many of its legislative
proposals. It also seeks
to present itself as an
alternative government.
Select committees
consisting of backbench
MPs, the composition
of Commons select
committees reflects the
make-up of the Commons.
Select committees in the
Commons investigate and
report on the activities of
government departments.
Their counterparts in
the Lords (such as the
Constitution Committee
and the Science and
Technology Committee)
carry out topic-based
inquiries.
Confidence and supply
A type of informal coalition
agreement sometimes
used in the event of a
hung parliament where the
minority partner agrees to
vote with the government
on key issues, usually
in exchange for policy
concessions.
Salisbury convention
the convention whereby the
House of Lords does not
delay or block legislation
that was included in a
government’s manifesto.
Legislative bills
proposed laws passing
through parliament.
Public bill committees
committees responsible for
looking at bills in detail.
Parliamentary privilege
the right of MPs or Lords to
make certain statements
within parliament without
being subject to outside
influence, including law.
