Parliament

Question 1

How well does P perform its representation role?
- well

Answer 1

• all parts of uk are represented 650 constituencies, drawn up independently
• wide range of parties are in the commons
• commons becoming more diverse 35% women, LGBTQ+ 7%
• MPs have wider range of interests and specialist policy

Question 2

How well does P perform its representation role?
- not well

Answer 2

• not all constituencies are equal in population
• FPTP favours L & C so underepresentation
• women still underepresented (51% of pop, 35% in P)
• MPs come from different backgrounds (29% privately educated, 7% pop privately educated)

Question 3

How effective are PMQs?
- effective

Answer 3

• high profile and highly publicised
• forces PM to address key issues of the day
• most direct form of scrutiny
• PMQs keep PM on their toes, Cameron “total feer”

Question 4

How effective are PMQs?
- not effective

Answer 4

• misleading image of P work
• punch and judy politics and petty point scoring
• 67% of public say there is too much point scoring
• MPs use it to ingratiate themselves with frontbench in hope to get a promotion

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of public bill committees?
- advantages

Answer 5

• allow backbench MPs to scrutinise legislation in greater detail
• normally 2 joint chairs from opposing party and governing party
• provide opportunities for PG and individuals to put forward their view
• expert witnesses can be called

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of public bill committee?
- disadvantages

Answer 6

• membership decided in proportion to party strength in commons, gov always has majority in committees
• major amendments are unlikely, 0.5% opposition amendments accepted
• membership is temporary so cannot build expertise
• membership decided by whips

Question 7

How effective are select committees in scrutinising and influencing exec
- effective

Answer 7

• high profile issues taken on, Brexit, Racism
• operate less party political
• committee chairs often from opposition parties
• recommendations often acted upon
• ability to call witnesses
• chairs and members elected by secret ballot
• they have experience

Question 8

How effective are select committees in scrutinising and influencing exec
- not effective

Answer 8

• chairs avoid selecting certain topics
• governing party always has majority of seats
• gov no obligation to accept policy suggestions, most are rejected
• whips still control public bill committee memberships
• cannot veto appointments

Question 9

Strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
- strenghts

Answer 9

• extra funding to assist with policy research (PDG)
• alternative gov
• can check or change gov policy (Gurkhas)
• backbench rebels inside gov party, 2012 C rebels went against bill that would have reformed the Lords

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of the opposition
- weaknesses

Answer 10

• gov posses greater resources, SpAds, research
• depends on quality of members in the shadow cabinet
• opposition successes are rare
• rebellions are rare

Question 11

Does the executive dominate P?
- yes

Answer 11

• party whips ensure bills pass
• gov ignore select committees
• PMBs always require gov support
• most MPs follow party line
• PMQs about point scoring

Question 12

Does the executive dominate P?
- no

Answer 12

• times of coalition gov defeated, May’s Brexit deals
• 20 opposition days which allow other parties to set debate agenda
• individual MPs can pass legislation
• select committees more high profile and independent
• all legislation is scrutinised in debates and PBCs
• MPs can ask questions of PM which forces them to explain and justify their actions