Parliament (1)

Question 1

What are the three points of a parliamentary government?

Answer 1

1) Parliament is the highest source of political authoirty
2) Government is drawn from Parliament
3) Government is accountable to Parliament

Question 2

Parliament is the highest source of political authority. Explain.

Answer 2

Political power can only be exercise if authorised by Parliament

Question 3

Government is drawn from Parliament. Explain.

Answer 3

There’s no full separation of powers as government sits in Parliament. The PM must choose government members from Parliament - (can do this from the commons and lords)

Question 4

Government is accountable to parliament. Explain.

Answer 4

It not only has to account for its actions but can be removed via a vote of no confidence at any time

Question 5

Functions of Parliament: Commons
Representation?
Legitimation?
Legislation?
Scrutiny?
Debate?

Answer 5

Representation? ✔️
Legitimation?✔️
Legislation?✔️
Scrutiny?✔️
Debate?✔️

Question 6

Functions of Parliament: Lords
Representation?
Legitimation?
Legislation?
Scrutiny?
Debate?

Answer 6

Representation? ✖️ BUT there’s some “functional” representation
Legitimation?✖️
Legislation?✔️
Scrutiny?✔️🏋️‍♀️
Debate?✔️

Question 7

What are the two points for constituency representation?

Answer 7

A) MP must represent ALL of their constituents - whether they voted for them or not!
B) “Redress of grievances”: help + support for constituents in cases of dispute/ problems.

Question 8

What is party representation?

Answer 8

MP expected to represent their party… elected on a party ticket they are subject to party discipline!

Question 9

Example of clash between constituency and party?

Answer 9

Fracking -> Richmond North Yorkshire. Local MP Richi Sunak Conservative but opposed it.

Question 10

Example of clash between constituency and representative/ Burkean judgement?

Answer 10

Brexit

Question 11

Give 3 examples of causes/groups of certain sections of society which MPd might suppport due to their background:

Answer 11

Climate change
Poverty
Drug policy reform
School food
Fire safety and rescue

Question 12

What’s the difference between a DELEGATE and a TRUSTEE/BURKEAN?

Answer 12

DELEGATE 👄 represents their constituency by following what it wishes
TRUSTEE/BURKEAN 🧠 MPs use their own judgement about what’s best for the constituency

Question 13

Why might the delegate role be problematic?

Answer 13

If tasks aren’t done well, the MP could be blamed.
Fear that another can take over aspects of your role.

Question 14

Why might the trustee/ burkean role be problematic?

Answer 14

Can lead to unpopularity if the constituency doesn’t get what they want.
May not be re-elected

Question 15

When might an MP be more inclined to take on the DELEGATE role?

Answer 15

If a constituency has specific concerns/priorities.
If the MP is looking for re-election.

Question 16

Give an example of the delegate role being followed?

Answer 16

Paul Keetch, former Hereford MP, voted against hunting ban as constituents were broadly against it.

Question 17

Give statistics for gender representation.

Answer 17

1983 = 3% MPs female
2024 = 40% MPs female

Question 18

How can we increase the number of women candidates?

Answer 18

All women shortlists (used by Lab in every general election since 1997 except 2001) requires some constituency parties to select their candidate from a women-only shortlist to increase female MPs.
Priority Lists (Cameron 🔵 introduced one of these… the ‘A’ list… in 2005). Here, constituency associations draw up shortlists on which at least half the aspirant candidates were women.

Question 19

GENDER representation) Demand side initiatives vs Supply side obstacles?

Answer 19

Demand Side initiatives increase gender representation (tactics)
Supply Side Obstacles are like limit, eg. gender bias

Question 20

Give statistics on ethnicity

Answer 20

1987 = 0.4% BME
2024 = 13.8% BME

Question 21

Why are young and old people least represented?

Answer 21

Most MPs are 35-55.
20 MPs under 30, 20 MPs above 70.

Question 22

Give statistics for education representation:

Answer 22

Commons more socio-economically diverse than ever before.

2024) 23% MPs independent school
7% in general population

46% Conservative MPs and 15% Labour MPs attend independent schools.

90% Commons attended Uni, 20% General population.

Question 23

Give statistics for social class:

Answer 23

1945) 1/4 MPs from working class background.
2019) 7% only

Question 24

What is electoral representation? Refer to FPTP

Answer 24

FPTP distorts parliamentary representation as it underepresents smaller parties. BUT provides a clear winner.

Question 25

Give 3 examples of descriptive representation:

Answer 25

Gender, ethnicity, social class, age, education

Question 26

Define SCRUTINY

Answer 26

Holding a government accountable

Question 27

What are four parts to SCRUTINY (holding a govt accountable)

Answer 27

Questions Committees The Opposition Debates

Question 28

What is parliamentary privilege?

Answer 28

The right of MPs/ Lords to make certain statements within Parliament without being subject to outside influence, including the law.

Question 29

Why is parliamentary privilege important?

Answer 29

It’s important for freedom of speech

Question 30

What are the two types of questions under scrutiny?

Answer 30

Minister questions (oral and written) PMs Question time

Question 31

Explain Ministers questions

Answer 31

Monday-Thursday… both houses question government ministers. 1hr Commons, 30mins Lords

Question 32

Explain PM Q time

Answer 32

30 minutes, Wednesdays at noon

Question 33

What is a strength AND COUNTER THIS for questions under scrutiny?

Answer 33

Attracts media attention BUT scandalous rather than in-depth scrutiny

Question 34

Give a weakness of

Question 35

What is a strength and weakness for questions under scrutiny?

Answer 35

STRENGTH) Govt put on the spot (eg. BJ and Starmer Partygate) WEAKNESS) Qs known in advance, so can prepare. Also, not all Qs can be answered.

Question 36

What is The “Official Opposition”? Why did its influence increase from 2017?

Answer 36

It provides scrutiny. Its influence increased from 2017 as there was the arrival of a minority government which increase their effective check on government as they couldn’t rely on support from a parliamentary majority.

Question 37

What does PAC stand for?

Answer 37

Public Accounts Committee

Question 38

What does DSC stand for?

Answer 38

Departmental Select Comittees

Question 39

Explain PAC:

Answer 39

Goes anywhere, but money specifically. Used in education service and report on 2021 *track and trace* spending.

Question 40

Give an example of a DSC

Answer 40

eg. Defense select committees,, education select committees

Question 41

Explain Liaison Committee

Answer 41

A “super committee” of the heads of the DSCs.. PM goes before it twice a year and account for policy

Question 42

Give a PRO and CON of PAC in PM questions

Answer 42

PRO) Members elected by all MPs not just party leaders. PAC reports affect policy. CON) No legal power to enforce reports so can be ignored

Question 43

Give a PRO and CON of DSCs in PM Questions

Answer 43

PRO) Secret ballots and TV coverage increase success rate CON) No legal power to enforce so can be ignored

Question 44

Give a PRO and CON of Liaison Committees in PMQs

Answer 44

PRO) PMs given serious questioning by experts… the best of each committee. CON) Only twice a year, and can be avoided. Eg… BJ avoided it BUT media coverage of this!

Question 45

Occasionally, Parliament holds d_______ on matters of national i_______. On constitutional issues, r_________ are becoming the norm with direct democracy replacing r__________ democracy. BUT referendums aren’t always appropriate and parliament fulfils this role.

Answer 45

debates interest referendums representative

Question 46

What is direct democracy

Answer 46

Citizens vote on policies or laws themselves rather than an elected representative doing it