How can parliament scrutinise the executive Flashcards
(14 cards)
how might parliament scrutinise the executive
- PMQs (Prime Ministers Questions)
- Urgent questions
- Oral and written questions
- Parliamentary debates
- Opposition days
- Petitions
- HoL
- Examination of bills
- Select committees
- Public accounts committees
- Joint committees
why is the legislature scrutinising the executive important
- Ensures accountability
- Protects democratic principles
- Improves decision making
- Prevents abuse of power
- Provides transparency
- Upholds rule of law
- Give voice to diverse perspective
- Enhances public confidence
- Fosters better legislation
Explain why PMQs provide an opportunity for scrutinising the Executive
- Questions from any subject allowed
- Unscripted interaction
- Highlighting natural and local concerns
- Opposition challenges
- Transparency and public engagement
- Setting the political agenda
- Testing government credibility
- Strengthening opposition and backbench roles
Why are PMQs an effective method of scrutiny
- It allows MPs to ask any question they want directly to the PM
- High public visibility
- Representation of public concerns
- Platform for opposition
- Spontaneity and responsiveness
- Shaping political debate
- Accountability across all areas (no limits on questions)
- Backbench contributions
- Public and media pressure
Why are PMQs an ineffective method of scrutiny
- The MPs of the PM’s party can ask them questions they want in order to make them look good
- Overly partisan and theatrical
- Evasive or Non-substantive responses
- Limited time and participation
- focus on the PM alone
- dominance of party politics
- pressure for performance over substance
- marginalisation of backbench MPs
- Lack of follow-up
- ineffectiveness with large government majorities
- public perception of a “show”
what are the features of parliamentary privilege
MPs and peers are exempt from the laws of slander and contempt of court in order to uphold the principle of free speech within parliament
how effective is parliamentary privilege
- Effective for protecting debate - enables MPs to perform their duties without fear of legal repercussions
- Risk of abuse
- Public confidence - undermined if used for personal gain
features of emergency debates
- MPs call for them
- granted at speakers discretion
- must be on a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration
- 3 minutes to put request to the house
how effective are emergency debates
- emergency debates are most effective in raising awareness, fostering discussion, and putting immediate pressure on the government
- influence is limited without follow-up actions, binding resolutions, or strong commitment from government
features of The Backbench Business Committee (BBC)
- set up in 2010
- decides which topic is debated on the floor of the commons and in Westminster hall for roughly 1 day a week
how effective is the Backbench Business Committee (BBC)
- The BBC has raised the profile of significant issues however, it’s impact on actual policy change is often limited due to the non-binding nature of it’s debates and the dominance of government priorities
what are the features of petitions and e-petitions
- Mondays are reserved for petitions and e-petitions
- petition with more than 100,000 signatures must be considered for debate by the Petitions Committee, although not guaranteed to be debated
how effective are petitions and e-petitions
- raise awareness
- only effective if the government is willing to act on them
name the three main types of committees within parliament
- Select Committees
- Public Bill Committees
- Lords Committees [
