EXTRA-Parliament and Government

Question 1

What is a parliamentary system?

Answer 1

this is one which the executive governs in and through the legislature. The government is chosen from the majority party or a combination of parties and is responsible to the elected assembly. There is therefore a fusion rather than a separation of powers

Question 2

What is a presidential system?

Answer 2

the Executive os separately elected and in theory, equal to the legislature

Question 3

What is an example of the accountability of ministers? (2)

Answer 3

• they are expected to resign if the Commons passes a vote of ‘no confidence’ in their performance
• They have to respond to oral questions at Question Time

Question 4

When was there a vote of no confidence?

Answer 4

the Callaghan government on 1979

Question 5

Historically, in what century did Britain have legislative authority over the Executive?

Answer 5

19th century

Question 6

Why does the Executive tend to dominate the legislature?

Answer 6

because the party and electoral systems usually produce a strong majority government, opening up what Conservative peer Lord Hailsham called an ‘elective dictatorship’

Question 7

What did Conservative Peer Lord Hailsham say?

Answer 7

‘elective dictatoship’

Question 8

IN what 7 ways do governments dominate the House

Answer 8

1) They provide the majority of its membership
2) They shape the agenda of the House
3) They determine the legislative programme of the House
4) They shape the outcome as well as the timing of legislation
5) they almost always win
6) They monopolise the time of the House
7) They control the flow of information to parliament

Question 9

How do the government determine the legislative programme of the House?

Answer 9

The bulk of legislation is government initiated as opposed to the 19th century when great changes in the law were brought about by MPs or Private Members

Question 10

What does delegated legislation allow ministers to do?

Answer 10

This allows ministers to introduce changes without the need to pass new legislation through statutory instruments

Question 11

How do the government shape the outcome as well as the timing of legislation?

Answer 11

most amendments to bills represent ‘second thoughts’ by ministers. Only rarely do they make concessions to criticisms form the Opposition

Question 12

How do government control the flow of information?

Answer 12

Ministers have an advantage over the opposition to discuss in Cabinet and use the resources of Whitehall departments which provide them with information.

Question 13

In what year did Lord Hailsham refer to the ‘elective dictatorship’ in his Dimbleby Lecture?

Answer 13

1976

Question 14

What did Conservative peer Lord Hailsham want in order to slow down a government in a hurry? (2)

Answer 14

• Bill of Rights

- reformed HOL

Question 15

What does the fact that no majority government has been forced to resign following a defeat of a vote of ni confidence show?

Answer 15

this shows just how strong the position of government has become in an age of tight party discipline

Question 16

What was the government and circumstances at the time that Conservative peer Lord Hailsham was writing?

Answer 16

under a labour government which had been elected by only a 29% majority and Hailsham was alarmed that the government could use its strict whipping system to drive through legislation against the wishes of many MP’s and the electorate

Question 17

What did critics of Hailsham’s view point out about the constraints of government?

Answer 17

that there are still factors such as select committees and the possibility of a back bench revolt which keeps the executive in check

Question 18

What is an example of when a Labour government was frustrated in the 20th century ?

Answer 18

over its first Devolution Bill

Question 19

When was the Blair administration defeated over its antiterrorist legislation even though he had a comfortable majority?

Answer 19

2005