House Of Commons

Question 1

What are the four key functions of the House of Commons

Answer 1

1) prime political forum - method of political debate
2) legislation- ensures executive accounts to parliament and gives parliament some leverage over government
3) scrutiny of polices and administration- expected to sustain, scrutinise and influence rather than block government
4) specific redress- specific issues are addressed here, either that were raised by constituents or through petitions

Question 2

What is parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 2

Parliament has ultimate law making authority over all bodies in the UK

It can pass, amend or repeal any law without challenge from any other UK institution

Question 3

What are some of the constraints on parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 3

• has been limited by the European Union whose laws have formal sovereignty over its members
• Human rights act 2000 means that all information which passes through government must comply with this act

Question 4

Give an example where the UK has had to comply with EU laws

Answer 4

Imposition of fishing quotas and worldwide ban of sale of UK beef during the mad cow crisis

Question 5

Proportionally what percentage of UK legislation comes from the EU

Answer 5

50%

Question 6

What is the ‘decline of legislature’

Answer 6

Parliament has lost its supremacy, the exec has taken over

Question 7

What are the two theories about parliaments role

Answer 7

1) parliament should be a vigilant watch dog that effectively holds the government to account
2) seen as a debating chamber, a forum where grievances can be aired

Question 8

What are the reasons for growing demand for reform

Answer 8

• rise of presidentialism
• decline in public confidence, apathy
• growth in direct democracy
• greater desire for speed and efficiency

Question 9

How long does it take to averagely put a bill through parliament

Answer 9

9 months

Question 10

Name and explain the scandal that hit parliament in 2009

Answer 10

The expenses scandal
This was where MPS spending got leaked to some tabloid newspapers, they were exposed to their ridiculous purchases which they put on expenses, most notably Douglas Hogg who had put £2000 on expenses to have his moat cleaned

Question 11

What was the effect of the expenses scandal 2009

Answer 11

Upset the public and reinforced this idea that MPs were untrustworthy thus damaging democracy as well as their reputation

Question 12

What changes did labour make to the House of Commons after 1997

Answer 12

• modified the timetable - family friendly hours
• PMQs taken to a single half hour slot
• elected chairman of select committees- allows for experts to be chosen reducing the power of whips rewarding loyalty

Question 13

What was one of the most important reforms made by the coalition government

Answer 13

The fixed term parliament act 2011- removed power from PM who previously could call a general election whenever. Must now be every 5 years

Question 14

What other reforms have been made to the House of Commons

Answer 14

• increasing MPS wage to £74,000 to stop them fiddling with expenses
• more free votes
• less MPs 650->600
• full time MPs

Question 15

What factor is mostly to blame for the dominance of the executive over parliament

Answer 15

Party discipline, the whip system makes the exec very powerful as if they have both a majority and a strong whip they can pass almost any law

Question 16

What controls how long each bill can be debated

Answer 16

The government

The parliament has no control over timetabling

Question 17

How many days per year is the official opposition given to debate

Answer 17

3 days

Question 18

Briefly evaluate:

“ is the House of Commons effective at holding the government to account “

Answer 18

✅select committees
✅PMQs
❌public bill committee
❌highly effective whip system

Question 19

How do select committees hold the government to account

Answer 19

Set there own agendas and act free of party control and so produce unanimous cross party reports

They can compel ministers for questioning

Question 20

How do PMQs hold the government to account

Answer 20

Weekly and very public
Pm is questioned about there decisions

A very public test of confidence and back bench support of both the PM and leader of the opposition

The PM is able to see lists of questions put forward however supplementary questions often catch them unaware

Question 21

What are some of the problems of the public Bill committee

What does this limit

Answer 21

There is a lack of subject specific scrutiny and a lack of expertise
Can damage the quality of legislation

Can damage how effective hoC holds govt to account

Question 22

What are some of the issues of the whip system

What does this limit

Answer 22

The highly effective whip system in parliament forces MPs to “toe the line” and support the government
There are often career damaging consequences of defying whiten

Questions how effective govt can be held to account

Question 23

What would a shadow cabinet ever consulted on

Answer 23

Bipartisan matters

Question 24

How many days are set aside in the commons timetable for debate and criticism of the govt

Answer 24

20

Question 25

What is the job of the opposition

Answer 25

Oppose Scrutinise Criticise

Question 26

How often do ministers answer questions in the commons

Answer 26

Once a month on a rota system

Question 27

What is an issue with ministers questions

Answer 27

Whips plant sycophantic questions which are asked by docile backbencher to make the job easier for ministers

Question 28

What does ministers questions demonstrate

Answer 28

Ministerial accountability

Question 29

Where are the questions and answers published from ministers questions

Answer 29

in the Hansard the same day they are released

Question 30

How many written questions are answered every year

Answer 30

35,000

Question 31

What is the job of the backbench business committee

Answer 31

Scrutiny and control of government spending

Question 32

Name the committee that monitors government spending

Answer 32

The commons public accounts committee and the national audit office

Question 33

What are three of the advantages of select committees

Answer 33

- can have major impact of government policy (eg report on gulf war syndrome) - provides detailed information to the government and general public as there findings are published online - seen as more important than standing committees (which only debate one issue) and so are well attended)

Question 34

What are some of the disadvantages of select committees

Answer 34

- lack time,resources, staff, expertise and power to be more than an irritant to govt - govt has to respond to criticisms but can simply ignore criticisms and recommendations - backbencher May be too afraid of being too critical of there own party in case it harms there promotion hopes

Question 35

Name two of the reforms made to select committees by the wright reforms 2010

Answer 35

Committee chairs and members are voted by backbencher without a whip Have to have a staff of approx 7 to help it carry out its function

Question 36

What are the key functions of select committees

Answer 36

Hold inquiries and write reports which are published and given to the house Can receive written and oral evidence and request certain evidence from people (can compel witnesses) Government is required to reply to the report and address any recommendations within 2 months

Question 37

Give an example of where a minister has been compelled to give evidence at a select committee

Answer 37

Amber Rudd Home Secretary - 2018 Called to give evidence to house affairs select committee about the windrush scandal Told the ctte there was no target for removing illegal immigrants where in actual fact she has written a letter requesting a 10% increase on removals Led to accusations she had misled the committee

Question 38

Are MPs socially representative- analyse

Answer 38

NO- Privately educated Professional background Lack of diverse background YES- Number of female MPs is on the rise

Question 39

What % of MPs are privately educated

Answer 39

35% Far higher than national average of 7%

Question 40

What % of MPs are non white

Answer 40

4.1%

Question 41

What’s the phrase used to describe MPs

Answer 41

‘Male pale and stale’

Question 42

From 2017 parliament what percentage of MPs are women

Answer 42

32%

Question 43

What % of MPs are ex oxbridge students

Answer 43

23% National average is <1%

Question 44

What are the three theories of representation

Answer 44

- mandate model - abides by the party - delegate model- instructed by voters - trustee model- MPs do what they think is best

Question 45

ciriticse mandate model

Answer 45

- could be significant disagreement in party policy and what is best for constituency - MPs elected through FPTP often have no majority, if were to only vote with party would be representing a minority of views in constituency

Question 46

Criticise delegate model

Answer 46

- voters have no expertise - voters struggle to always feedback opinions on each legislation - difficult to come to a majority opinion

Question 47

Criticise trustee model

Answer 47

Takes away voters voice and defies representation and undermines democracy MPs willing to completely deny voters wishes coz they reckon its for the best

Question 48

How many hours do MPs work a week

Answer 48

71 hours

Question 49

What is wage of an MP

Answer 49

£79,000

Question 50

What did Edmund Burke liken the whip system to be

Answer 50

“Whipping the hounds”

Question 51

Explain the different types of whip

Answer 51

They indicate how important each item is by: Underlining it once- attendance optional Underlining it twice- more important and attendance is required unless a “pair” has been arranged Underlining it three times- important, pairs not allowed, defying this can result in consequences

Question 52

What is a free vote

Answer 52

Matters of the conscience, people can make up there own minds without consequences or a whip

Question 53

What is the role of the MP

Answer 53

- be loyal to the party and toe the line, attend conferences and promote party policy - serve the constituency, regular surgeries and attend political meetings and social functions - serve the nation- attend hoC , take part in debates and serve on committees - advance personal causes- private members bills act as a spokesperson for particular interests or areas of expertise

Question 54

Describe the passage of a bill

Answer 54

``` First reading Second reading Committtee stage Report stage Third reading House of Lords Royal assent Review ```

Question 55

Name an example of a private members bill

Answer 55

David steels abortion act 1967

Question 56

What is a public bill

Answer 56

Concern the general public interest