Evaluate The View That Parliament Holds The Government To Account Effectively.

Question 1

P1: Agree Select Committees

Answer 1

1. Professional, non-partisan scrutiny: Questioning is calm and evidence-based, unlike PMQs, making it more constructive.
2. Increased independence since the Wright Reforms: Chairs are no longer chosen by party whips, allowing government critics to lead committees (e.g. Emily Thornberry as Foreign Affairs Chair, criticising UK policy on China treatment of Uyghur Muslims and a more assertive stance on Russian sanctions).
3. Their public, televised hearings and media coverage enhance accountability and public pressure.
   In March 2023, the Privileges Committee scrutinised Boris Johnson over Partygate.
4. In May 2023, the government accepted/partly accepted all recommendations in the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Updating the Integrated Review.The Liaison Committee questions the Prime Minister directly twice a year, helping hold the executive accountable at the highest level.

Question 2

P1: Disagree SCs

Answer 2

1.Treasury, Foreign Affairs, Defence) are traditionally chaired by government MPs, reducing independence.18 out of 27 chairs and a Labour majority on all committees reflect Labour’s large majority.
2. Limited scope: Committees have finite time and resources, so they can only cover a small number of topics in depth.Restricted powers: They can summon witnesses, but not always successfully.
3. In March 2025, the government blocked National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell from testifying, despite past precedent.Low implementation of recommendations: Only around 40% of recommendations are accepted, and usually only minor ones.
4. Education Select Committee’s 2023 proposals on early years support (funding, staffing ratios, VAT exemptions) were largely rejected by the government in October.
5. Boris Johnson cancelled Liaison Committee sessions twice, showing that even the PM can sometimes evade direct accountability.

Question 3

P2: Agree Ministerial Question Time and PMQs

Answer 3

1. Leader of the Opposition (6 questions) and the leader of the 3rd largest party (2 questions) can challenge the Prime Minister directly, exposing failures and promoting alternative policies.
2. MPs like Diane Abbott (Jan 2025) can raise local issues, such as social housing shortages, forcing the government to respond.
3. Keir Starmer have used PMQs to scrutinise policy, e.g. challenging the Rwanda Plan on 8 May 2024 by highlighting ongoing small boat crossings.
4. PMQs is televised weekly and widely viewed, making it highly influential in shaping public opinion and increasing political engagement. Natalie Elphicke’s defection to Labour during PMQs (May 2024)—gain major media attention, damaging the government’s image.
5. Ministers and the PM must be well-prepared; misleading Parliament can lead to calls to resign, promoting ministerial accountability and competence.

Question 4

P2: Disagree Ministerial Questions

Answer 4

1. PMs often avoid answering questions and instead use witty soundbites for political gain.13 Nov 2024, Starmer dodged Nigel Farage’s question about Iran’s Revolutionary Guard with a joke.
2. BB ask whip-approved, flattering questions that allow the PM to promote their agenda rather than face real scrutiny. Patrick Hurley’s question about budget investment is one such example.
3. PMQs is often loud and combative. MP Paul Bristow was even ejected from the chamber in May 2023 for heckling.
4. Kemi Badenoch was criticised in Feb 2025 for failing to challenge the PM on the costly Chagos Islands deal and asking whether the growing cost of the plan increasing to £18B is compatible with his pledge not to return to austerity.
5. PMQs should be replaced or reformed, with more in-depth scrutiny through channels like the Liaison Committee, which offers more serious and detailed questioning.

Question 5

P3: Agree Legislative Scrutiny

Answer 5

1. Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was amended after Lords’ criticism to reduce excessive ministerial powers. The Lords also occasionally delay or block legislation to protect rights, as seen in 2001 when they forced the government to drop incitement to religious hatred from anti-terror laws.
2. Government backbench rebellions in the Commons, especially under minority governments, have limited government power. Theresa May, for instance, suffered 33 defeats, including a historic loss on her Brexit deal in 2019 (432-202) showing how Parliament can block unpopular or flawed legislation.

Question 6

P3: Disagree Legislative Scrutiny

Answer 6

1. The significant Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act received minimal Commons scrutiny.
2. When the government has a large majority, it is rarely defeated and can pass most bills easily — Blair was defeated only four times in three terms, and Sunak just once. In 2022/23, 76% of government bills passed into law, and Starmer’s large majority makes future defeats unlikely.
3. The HoL scrutiny is also limited: it cannot reject financial bills, can only delay legislation for up to a year, and must respect the Salisbury Convention, which stops it from blocking manifesto commitments. This limits the Lords’ power to hold the government effectively to account.