Evaluate The View That Parliament Holds The Gov To Account Effectively

Question 1

What are the 3 themes

Answer 1

Select committees
PMQs
Legislative scrutiny (HoL, Parliament)

Question 2

Theme 1- select committees

FOR- hold GOV to account

Answer 2

Select committees look in depth into issues issues. Questioning is calm, measured and professional and political answers aren’t accepted. Scrutiny is therefore, a lot more professional and less partisan than PMQT. As a result it can be argued that select committees hold the GOV to account effectively.

E.g. the select committee scrutinised former PM BoJo over his involvenement in the Partygate scandal, which gained a lot of public interest and media attention.

Sig= as the work of SC is evidence based and the fact they hold televised hearings can increase influence, meaning that they air issues of public interest which are then reported on in the media therefore holding the gov to account publically

Furthermore, the liaison committee directly scrutinises the PM twice a yr, this cable seen as significant as they r directly holding the most power figure in government to account

Question 3

Theme 1 = selection committees
HOWEVER

Answer 3

A majority of selected commitee members are drawn from the governing party and there is a tradition that the influential treasury, foreign affairs and defence committees are chaired by MPs of the governing party.

E.g. in current parliament, 18/27 of the total select committee chairs are from LP and there is a maj of Labour memebers due to their huge 174 seat majority in the HoC.

Sig= limits their independence from the GOV and the likelihood they will hold the gov to account effectively
Carrot and sick

BoJo cancelled twice to attend the liaison commitee and was able to avoid scrutiny