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Parliament Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Parliament?

A

The legislative branch of government responsible for passing laws (legislation).

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2
Q

What kind of parliament is the UK?

A

Bicameral parliament- has two chambers: House of Commons (elected) and House of Lords (unelected)

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3
Q

What are the strengths of a bicameral parliament?

A

-Creates a system of checks and boundaries (following the constitution)
-Provides different viewpoints
-House of Lords peers have expertise they can pass onto HoC
-Provides debate and discussion surrounding laws

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4
Q

What are the weaknesses of a bicameral parliament?

A

-Takes time to pass legislation
-Can reach gridlock (don’t agree on anything)
-Extent to which government is democratic (eg. hereditary peers)

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5
Q

How many MPs are there in the House of Commons elected under FPTP?

A

650 MPs

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6
Q

How many votes do you need to pass legislation and how can this change?

A

320 votes
Number changes if MPs are suspended, eg. Margaret Ferrier of SNP suspended so you need fewer votes to pass laws

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7
Q

Why does FPTP typically lead to a single party majority?

A

-Winner’s bonus (only need most votes not majority)
-Tactical voting (vote for one of two major parties, most close to third party idealogies, if it doesn’t happen then spoiler effect takes place)
-Safe seats (very low turnout as that party will win so apathy)

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8
Q

How many members are in the House of Lords?

A

785 members

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8
Q

What are the 4 types of peers the Lords is made up of?

A

Hereditary peers
Life peers
Lords Spiritual
Crossbenchers

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8
Q

What are hereditary peers?

A

Peerage Act 1963 allowed them to renounce their titles and membership of the Lords. Also allowed women peers to sit in Lords. House of Lords Act 1999 under Blair ended right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit and vote in Lords. If they die/resign it results in a by-election for replacement by other hereditary peers.

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8
Q

What are life peers?

A

Life Peerages Act 1958 gave PM right to appoint members to upper house for life. Title and right to sit in Lords can’t be inherited. They’re the biggest category (674 in Sep 2021)

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9
Q

What are Lords Spirituals?

A

2 archbishops and 24 senior bishops of the Church of England

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9
Q

What is the political composition of the House of Lords?

A

Conservative- 248 (33%)
Labour- 166 (22%)
LibDems- 83 (11%)
Crossbench- 183 (24%)
Reflects Commons

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9
Q

What are crossbenchers?

A

Crossbench peers are non-party political and by tradition sit on the benches that cross the chamber of the House of Lords. They can be both life and hereditary peers. Currently 184.

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10
Q

What does it mean when no party has a majority in the Lords?

A

There’s no party in control. So, to pass legislation you need a coalition government, everyone has opportunity to pass bills. Legislation and bills are scrutinised. Eg. 2024 Lords rejected Rwanda legislation, ruled as unconstitutional

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10
Q

What are the 6 main roles of Parliament?

A

-To legislate
-Scrutiny
-Debate
-Recruitment of ministers
-Representation
-Accountability

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11
Q

What is the role to legislate with examples?

A

Parliament is the supreme law making body in the UK. It can pass any law.
Eg. The Coronavirus Act (2020) which granted the government emergency powers to handle the pandemic.

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12
Q

What is the role of scrutiny with examples?

A

The role of parliament in examining the policies and work of the executive, and holding it to account.
Eg. Parliamentary questions- question time sessions for ministers from each government department (urgent questions- 1 in 7 from 2017-19 concerned Brexit) but not effective because no resolution, only fights between MPs, don’t actually answer questions and defensive

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13
Q

What is the role of debate with examples?

A

Debate policy (what laws are being formed or past laws), topical issues (eg. missiles in Yemen Jan 2024 and Rwanda bill) and provides forum to raise matters of importance and helps focus policy on important issues and concerns to public.
Eg. missiles launched in Yemen
invasion of Iraq had 7 hours of parliamentary time and foxhunting ban had 700 hours
Minister in charge of department relating to debate speaks at end of debate.

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14
Q

What is the role of recruitment of ministers with examples?

A

Have to be members of Lords/Commons so parliament is a recruiting ground for government. But its effectiveness is questioned because of communication skills (mainly displayed on TV), experience (1 in 5 MPs worked in Politics before parliament) and conformity (loyal MPs have better prospects than rebels)

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15
Q

What is the role of representation with examples?

A

MPs directly represent constituents by making speeches, voting and asking questions of government ministers. Lords also seeks to represent the people indirectly in the same way.
Eg. Lord Lindsay hereditary peer represents farmers and Scotland
Leo Doherty voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs and against more EU integration

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16
Q

What is the role of accountability with examples?

A

Principle that an office holder/ institution must account for their actions. Ministers are accountable to parliament and electorate at GEs.
Eg. PM’s Question Time (backbenchers and opposition frontbenchers ask oral questions to government ministers) every Wednesday at noon for at least 30 minutes

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17
Q

What is a party whip?

A

A party official responsible for ensuring that MPs turn up to parliamentary votes and follow party instructions on how to vote.

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18
Q

What are the 3 key roles of whips?

A

-Ensuring that MPs attend parliamentary divisions (votes) and approving the absence of MPs when their vote will not be required.
-Issuing instructions on how MPs should vote:
Each week, MPs receive instructions on their attendance. Debates where there will be a vote are underlined. A ‘three-line whip’ is a strict instruction to attend and vote according to the party line/ face disciplinary action. Eg. Israel-Palestine whip as Labour told MPs not to vote for ceasefire
-Enforcing discipline within the parliamentary party:
Whips seek to persuade wavering MPs to vote with their party by providing assurances, making offers and issuing threats. Rebellious MPs may be expelled from the parliamentary party by having the whip withdrawn so they sit as an independent MP

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19
Why is the whipping system weaker in the HoL than in the HoC?
-They're not elected so held accountable to no-one (independent). -Even if Lords are members of parties, they don't fund their elections and haven't promised the manifesto so don't owe anything to the party -Lords can just be crossbenchers (not affiliated with a party) if parties kick them out
20
What are the most rebellious MPs under coalition called?
Awkward Squad Includes Tory MP Peter Bone who was recalled (tried to make relationships with staff), voted against government nearly 150 times.
21
How do whips control MPs?
Keep a dirt book with sensitive information which is a form of blackmail. Parties fund the MPs' campaigns and they've said they'd uphold the party's manifesto so parties have a right to tell MPs how to vote.
22
What are frontbenchers?
An MP or member of the Lords who hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position.
23
What are backbenchers?
An MP or member of Lords who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position.
24
Why are government backbenchers in the HoC so important?
They can impact policymaking, eg. by introducing Private Members Bills to parliament. Can also partake in Parliamentary Committees, can alter details of legislation. They're champions for local interests, make recommendations to ministers and contribute in parliamentary debates.
25
What type of bencher is Lord Cameron Keir Starmer Theresa May Jeremy Hunt?
Frontbencher Frontbencher Backbencher Frontbencher
26
What are the two most important elements of parliamentary privilege?
Freedom of speech (members of both houses can raise any issues in parliament without fear of prosecution) and exclusive cognaisance (right of each house to regulate its own internal affairs without interference from outside bodies like courts)
27
What does parliamentary privilege not mean?
MPs are above the law. Recall of MPs Act 2015- if after 8 weeks, 10% of eligible electors sign recall petition, seat is vacant and by-election scheduled IF MP imprisoned, suspended from House for a minimum of 21 days/ convicted of making false allowance claims.
28
What has been the issue regarding parliamentary privilege and expenses?
System covering MPs' costs of running an office, employing staff, accommodation and travel was overhauled after 2009 MPs' expenses scandal- 100s of MPs had to pay back expenses they'd claimed, 4 were jailed.
29
Why is parliamentary privilege important for members of parliament to be able to carry out their duties?
It means MPs can speak freely in debates and raise issues that are important to electorate/ their constituency.
30
What happened with Ryan Giggs and parliamentary privilege?
LibDem MP John Hemming named Ryan Giggs during an urgent Commons question on privacy orders. Used privilege to break court order. High Court ruled that injunction shouldn't be lifted, so prevents newspapers from publishing stories about him, but still 75,000 comments with his name on Twitter.
31
What is the role of the Speaker and what do they give up?
Presides over debates in chamber, selects MPs to speak and maintains order. Can temporarily suspend MPs who break parliamentary rules. Give up party affiliation (non-partisan).
32
In what ways did speaker Bercow increase Parliament's scrutiny of the government (executive)?
Granted more 'urgent questions' than his predecessors. So a minister must make a statement to the Commons and answer questions on the same day. Granted over 670 requests and called more backbench MPs to speak in debates. He challenged the government's approach to Brexit as he was Remain.
33
Why was Bercow a controversial speaker?
Permitted amendments to usually unamendable 'motions expressed in neutral terms' which changed the course of the Brexit process. Eg. in 2019 he granted an emergency debate which led to MPs taking control of the order paper and passing legislation delaying Brexit. Accused of furthering his personal agenda
34
How does Parliament pass legislation?
1) Ideas for Bills come from governing and opposition parties, public inquiries, civil servants and campaign groups 2) Green Paper presents the government's ideas for future policy. Pressure groups often weigh in to give opinions. 3) White Paper outlines a firmer plan for government policy. It's the first official copy of legislation. 4) The cabinet agrees whether the proposal is taken forward. 5) A Bill is passed after cabinet approves it. 6) The role of the HoC and HoL is to debate the Bill and make amendments on it. They all have to agree. 7) The Monarch gives formal approval (royal assent) to become an Act of Parliament.
35
What is a public bill and why are they generally the most important?
A bill concerning a general issue of public policy, introduced by a government minister. Affects public the most so important.
36
Who introduces public bills to Parliament and how many are introduced each year?
The government 25-35
37
What are Private members' bills?
A bill sponsored by a backbench MP.
38
What are the 3 ways Private members' bills can be introduced?
-Ballot -Ten Minute Rule Bill (MPs make a short speech introducing a bill) -Presentation (an MP presents a bill on the floor of the house by introducing the name of the bill with no debate)
39
What's an example of a notable private member bill that became law?
English votes for English Laws Abortion Act 1967 Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965
40
How many private member bills became law in 2019-2021?
8
41
Why do most private member bills fail?
Time constraints and the difficulty of persuading other MPs to back a proposal.
42
What is required for a private member bill to be a success?
Government's wishes
43
Where are defeats of government public bills more frequent and why?
HoL than in Commons because often a bill might be approved by the Commons but rejected by the Lords
44
Why did government defeats in HoC spike up between 2017-19?
Brexit
45
Since 1999, the HoL has become more assertive and been much more willing to defeat government bills. What change explains this?
House of Lords Act
46
What is parliamentary ping pong?
If two Houses cannot agree on a bill until a compromise is reached.
47
What are the strengths and limitations of parliamentary ping pong?
Strengths: -Increases scrutiny -Compromise means all sides are happy so represents what everyone stands for -Goes to a large range of people for approval so best version it can be Limitations: -Takes a long time for bills to pass -Unnecessary amount of parliamentary time goes towards it, like foxhunting -Undemocratic (democratic deficit) as Lords lack a clear mandate from us
48
What does the Parliament Act do?
1949 HoL doesn't have a veto over legislation approved by the HoC. It can only delay most bills passed by HoC for up to 1 year. Lords can propose amendments to bills passed by the Commons who can either accept, reject or introduce new amendments of its own, but Lords can't force them to accept.
49
What two extra powers does the Parliament Act give the Commons over HoL?
If the Commons refuses to accept the wishes of the Lords, the upper house can either block the bill from becoming law for a year. Commons has right over budget.
50
How many times has the Parliament Act been used with examples?
4 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000- age of consent made equal for everyone regardless of sexuality (before 21 for gay men and 16 for straight) Hunting Act 2004- Lords wanted to hunt, Commons didn't want them to, 700 hours of parliamentary time used to debate it
51
Usually the HoC and HoL compromise before the Parliament Act needs to be used. Why?
Creates tension. Shows a middle ground for politics. Doesn't look good for HoL (lack legitimacy) do can't keep blocking bills. People who make up 2 chambers are from similar parties.
52
What is the Salisbury Convention?
States that the HoL shouldn't vote against a bill that seeks to enact a manifesto commitment of the governing party, doesn't block or say to wreck legislation that was promised in the governing party's manifesto.
53
Why has the Salisbury Convention (unwritten constitutional convention) been generally accepted by the HoL?
HoL unelected so shouldn't frustrate the will of the elected Commons as it's to carry the will of the people.
54
In 2010 and 2017 some members of the HoL stated that they believed the Salisbury Convention no longer applied?
Coalition and supply and confidence (minority governments) so rule doesn't apply about following a majority party's manifesto as not enough support from public
55
What are the arguments for and against the Salisbury Convention?
For: -Party should be able to carry out manifesto as it's what the people voted for -Lets party get on with promises they made -Limits party's manifesto in the first place as scared of pushback Against: -Limits scrutiny of manifesto -Winner's bonus means majority hasn't voted for government
56
What is a confidence and supply?
An agreement between the governing party and a smaller party in which the latter agrees to support the government on key votes in return for policy concessions.
57
What is a motion of no confidence?
A parliamentary censure motion initiated by the opposition which, if passed, requires the resignation of government
58
What is the motion of confidence?
May be initiated by the government as a threat of dissolution, or used to approve the formation of a new government under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.
59
What is the role of the HoL in terms of motions of confidence?
They don't vote
60
How many votes of no confidence have there been since 1945? When did a government last lose a no confidence vote?
23 March 1979, James Callaghan's Labour government lost by one vote. Haven't had any since as PMs resign before getting to this point
61
How did the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 change things?
Only a Commons motion stating 'that the House of no confidence in Her Majesty's government' is treated as a motion of no confidence. If passed, parliament is dissolved, a GE is called
62
What is the role of select committees? Which of the 6 parliamentary roles do they undertake?
A committee responsible for scrutinising the work of a government, notably of a particular government department. Aim is to hold government accountable for policy and decisions making and support parliament in scrutinising legislation and government spending. Scrutiny
63
What change occurred in 2010 that strengthened select committees?
Select committee chairs are elected by all MPs in a secret ballot using the AV system. Before were appointed by party whips so enhanced the autonomy and profile of select committees. Whips represented government, now more democratic. Diminishes power of parties and government.
64
Why do members of select committees often compromise? Give an example where they did not?
Because a unanimous select committee report is likely to carry maximum weight so most reports are agreed by consensus. They didn't agree with Remain and Leave supporting members on exiting the EU- failed to reach consensus on most reports in 2015-17.
65
Give examples of select committee inquiries?
-The Exiting the EU Committee inquiry (2016-19) on Brexit scrutinised government's position in negotiations and brought issues like the rights of EU citizens and data protection into public realm. Secretary of state David Davis faced difficult questions on economic impact of Brexit, government's analysis published. -The Home Affairs Committee inquiry (2017-18) into Windrush scandal questioned home secretary Amber Rudd, who denied that the Home Office had targets for deportation of illegal immigrants. Leaked e-mails revealed that targets existed and Rudd knew of them so she resigned. Report was highly critical on government spending.
66
How must the government respond to a select committee?
Within 60 days but isn't required to accept their recommendations.
67
What percentage of select committee recommendations are accepted?
40% but many of these proposed only limited policy change
68
What is the role of select committees in the legislation process? What can they not do?
Involved in pre-legislative scrutiny- make suggestions to improve bills and post legislative scrutiny- examine whether legislation has been effective. Some reports are debated in HoC. They cannot introduce their own legislative proposals. They go through the party, private members' bills and opposition days.
69
What is the role and significance of the opposition?
Scrutinising the government's legislative proposals, tabling amendments and forcing votes. When the government has a small majority, the opposition may be able to force policy retreats.
70
What is the difference between the Official Opposition and the Opposition?
Official Opposition- the largest party in the HoC that is not in government Opposition- the parties, MPs and peers who are not members of the governing party/parties
71
In what ways does the government (executive) have an advantage over the Opposition?
It can draw upon the expertise of the civil service, while the Opposition relies on limited state funding aka 'Short money'- introduced in 1975 and available to opposition parties that secured either 2 seats/1 seat and over 150,000 votes at previous GE. 2020-21: Labour got £6.6bn in short money
72
What are 'opposition' days?
Where opposition parties are permitted to choose the topic for debate on 20 days in the parliamentary year- 17 of which allocated to official opposition
73
How can the effectiveness of the opposition be impacted by political circumstances?
A party that just lost a GE cannot convincingly claim a mandate for its policies. May also be divided. Internal divisions saw Corbyn allow Labour MPs free votes on air strikes on Syria and renewal of Trident in 2015-16.
74
Who was the last PM from HoL and why?
The Marquis of Salisbury in 1902 because PMs from HoC have a democratic mandate which makes them more legitimate. Douglas Home resigned his peerage then became PM in 1963.
75
What are the % of non-Labour or Conservative voters in the general public, HoC and HoL?
General public- 24.3% HoC- 12.8% HoL- 45%
76
What are the % of non-white people in the general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 18% HoC- 10% HoL- 7%
77
What are the % of women in the general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 51% HoC- 40% all time high HoL- 30%
78
What are the % of BAME in general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 31% HoC- 10% HoL- 6%
79
What are the % of heterosexual people in the general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 84.9 HoC- 91.4 HoL- 99.5
80
Why has there been an increase in the number of female MPs since 1997?
Due to 'all female shortlists'. This approach helped lead to 101 female Labour MPs being elected in 1997. 10% of MPs were women before 1997 in HoC. The 'Mother of the House' is Harriet Harman (longest serving female MP since 1982). When she started, only 11 women Labour MPs. She brought up maternity leave, childcare and domestic violence- before seen as private matters but she said they should be matters of the state.
80
What are the % of privately educated people in general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 5.9 HoC- 29 HoL- 57
80
What is the microcosm model?
The idea that Parliament should reflect the people.
80
What are the % of disabled people in the general public, HoC and HoL?
Public- 24% HoC- 0.8 HoL- 1.8
81
What are the drawbacks of the microcosm model?
They might discriminate against people unnecessarily, eg. men in 1997 Harder to fit people in different constituencies. Hitting the quota doesn't always represent views of people, like sexist women.
81
What is the delegate model?
A delegate is an individual selected to act on behalf of others on the basis of clear instructions, can't follow own judgement. MPs not expected to act as delegates but as representatives so can use judgement.
81
What is the Trustee model?
Trustee is an individual who has formal responsibility for the interests of another. Once elected, MPs are free to decide how to vote based on their own independent judgement of the merits of an issue. Assumed that MPs know best because they had a greater understanding of affairs of state.
81
What were Jo Johnson and Sajid Javid's responses to the Brexit negotiations and which models did they apply?
They both campaigned for Remain but their constituents voted Leave. Johnson- quit as a minister over Brexit and called for a new vote (trustee) Javid- 'no alignment' with EU regulations after leaving (delegate)
82
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliament is the supreme institution in the UK
83
What is an elective dictatorship?
The government (executive) controls Parliament.
84
What happens when the government has a majority and minority?
Majority- they can tell Parliament what to do Minority- no elective dictatorship because there's no majority of votes, harder to pass legislation
85
In what circumstances is Parliament's control over the executive at its strongest? Why is such control likely to be short lived?
Small majority, big opposition, lack of party cohesion (backbenchers don't follow what government wants) Because a resignation and GE is called
86
In what circumstances is Parliament's control over the executive at its weakest?
Big majority, smaller opposition, world events like war

Politics (18 decks)

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