Lesson 41 Flashcards
Wright Reforms
2010
Committee members became elected and not chosen
Backbench Business Committee
Once a week
Made up of backbenchers
Discuss various topics like petitions (that have over 100k)
Can force debates in the Commons about issues
Disadvantages of the backbench business committee?
This is only advice and can be ignored
The whips dominate proceedings
Liaison Committee
32 chairs of all the select committees
and the chair of the joint select committee on human rights
Oversee general matters
Question the PM 3 times a year
Why was the Liason Committee so significant under Johnson?
Johnson dissolved parliament
so they were the only way to scrutinise the government
Why was the Liason Committee so significant under Johnson?
Because they were the only ones that could scrutinise him
Because he dissolved parliament
What is Labour described as? (thinking waiting)
government in waiting
What is Labour legally called?
‘His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition’
What are perks that the opposition gets in terms of days to debate?
They get 20 days to debate issues chosen by them
What does Benjamin Disraeli say about the role of the opposition?
‘No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition’
What does the conservative MP Edmund Burke say about the role of the opposition?
‘Our antagonist is our helper’
helps sharpens your skills
Job of the opposition?
ensure the government justifies its legislative programme
create public debate by disagreeing with government’s legislation
provide an alternative government
scrutinise the government at PMQs
scrutinises the government in Public Bill Committees + propose amendments
Example of Diane Abbott being good opposition? (think windrush scandal)
Diane Abbot (shadow home secretary under Corbyn)
Was effective at keeping up pressure on Amber Rudd
During the Windrush Scandal ( 2018 )
Example of Angela Rayner being good opposition? (think partygate)
In 2022
Angela Rayner ( Labour Deputy Leader)
Attacked Boris Johnson in the Commons over allegations that he broke lockdown rules
Opposition definition
Second largest party in the Commons
