Parliament Flashcards
(16 cards)
E+A 3 ways Parliament performs its key roles
Scrutiny - checks on gov and questions its actions.
Select committees - 11 to 13 MPs who investigate gov policy e.g. Public Health Committee and the 2006 extended smoking ban. 40% of select committee recommendations are acted upon
Representation - parliament should reflect UK society. 263 women were elected to parliament in 2024, which is an increase from the 220 in 2019. If the Commons is representative, the electorate will feel more seen and are more likely to participate
Legislation and the laws passed by parliament. The Salisbury convention states that the Lords cannot delay bills that were promised in a manifesto. Increases democracy and publics trust in the government
E+A the significance of 3 roles in the Commons
Prime Minister - the most powerful person and the leader of the largest party. Normally rely on the Commons to pass their legislation. E.g. 1987 Poll Tax was passed in the Commons despite widespread opposition (political and public.)
Party whips - enforce party discipline and ensures MPs remain loyal. Whips promote party unity. E.g. Sept 2019, Johnson removed the whip from 21 MPs who didn’t support his Brexit bill.
Speaker - keeps the Commons in order and assures that backbench MPs are given the opportunity to speak. E.g. John Bercow was nicknamed the ‘champion of the backbenchers’ and he increased the number of urgent questions (0.88 per day.)
E+A 3 ways parliament scrutinises the executive
Debates - offer MPs an opportunity to raise concerns and convince the gov to change their minds. E.g. August 2013 debate on Syrian Air Strikes, supported by David Cameron but was ultimately defeated 285 to 272
PMQs - opposition and backbench MPs can question the governments actions. Allows the opposition to position themselves publicly as the new government, e.g. Blair 1997 “weak, weak, weak.”
Select committees - 11 to 13 MPs scrutinise gov policy, hear from experts and make recommendations (40% of which are accepted.) E.g. Public Health Committee and the 2006 extended smoking ban
E+A 3 characteristics of the Lords
Holds gov to account - they can raise concerns, press the government on their actions and challenge their power. E.g. Lords Qs on Mondays and Thursdays allows the Lords to ask the government 4 questions on any topic.
Making laws and examining each bill line-by-line. Significant because the bills they examine involve our everyday lives (health, welfare, education etc.) E.g. In 2022, they made 5244 changes to 100 bills.
Report upon public policy - on select committees, members use their experiences to investigate gov policy. E.g. In 2022, there were 24 to 27 committees and they produced 70 reports.
E+A 3 ways select committees scrutinise the executive
Establishing inquiries to protect the public. The Public Accounts committee scrutinises government spending. They decommissioned the cost of the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing site (£67.5 million.)
Gathering of evidence - they hear from experts on the topics they are investigating. Helps them understand the problems in more depth and produce more specific reports. The Public Health Committee heard from doctors and specialised charities (e.g. ASH) when creating the 2006 smoking ban report.
Produce reports - the gov has 60 days to respond to select committee reports and 40% of committee recommendations are accepted. E.g. 2008 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act
Backbench MPs are increasingly effective
Threat of Rebellion and pressure - 2003 139 LAB MPs voted against Iraq. Backbench MPs can exert pressure on the government during the early stages of legislation. Can defeat legislation via rebellion, In December 2023, backbench rebellion defeated the government on compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal (22 rebelled)The government may shy away from introducing new legislation out of fear of how backbenchers may react. E.g. 2015-2024 Tory government repeatedly promised to repeal the 1997 HRA, but they never did. Important because it highlights how much control backbenchers have. BUT party whips, Starmer suspended 7 MPs for voting against scrapping the two-child cap.
Select committees scrutinise policy and expenditure (Sellafield nuclear site) They call witnesses, collect evidence (2006 extended smoking ban) and make recommendations to the government (40% are accepted.) E.g. 2018 Windrush scandal, home affairs committee, called for compensation so gov introduced Windrush compensation scheme. In June 2023, the Commons Privileges Committee found that PM Boris Johnson knowingly misled Parliament over Partygate; recommended his suspension. Johnson quickly resigned as MP rather than risk a recall petition. Police investigations and fines over Partygate are ongoing.
Backbench MPs are not increasingly effective
Legislative powers (or lack thereof.) The government can nearly always pass legislation but backbenchers can’t. E.g. Only 6% of Private Member’s Bills received Royal Assent in 2014-15. Backbenchers can apply pressure but they arguably have no real, tangible power. Gov controls parliamentary time, limited slots for PMBs. 2021-22, only 20 PMBs scheduled for debate (8 became law)
Select committees - boils down to the ability of the MPs on the committees and their knowledge. No power to enforce compliance, Johnson failed to attend the Liaison committee 3 times (in 2019) After all, 60% of their recommendations are rejected so they have limited power over the government. 2022, Justice Select Committee recommended resentencing IPP prisoners, govt rejected it
The House of Commons is effective
Scrutiny -urgent questions - revived under John Bercow who called them “parliamentary instruments of inquisition.” E.g. March 2014 - Chris Bryant asked Esther McVey about social housing and ‘bedroom tax.’ Urgent questions are important because they give backbench MPs a voice. Checks executive power. PMQs and select committees, PAC hods govt departments to account over wasteful spending. 2020 report on COVID test and trace
Influence legislation via amendments and debate. Cross-party support or backbench rebellion. 2021, CON backbench MPs forced social care cap reforms. Can also block or delay legislation. 2018-19 Mays Brexit deal was rejected three times, parliaments ability to restrain executive
The House of Commons is not effective
Government dominance limits scrutiny. Executive normally has majority, push through legislation with minimal resistance (1987 Poll Tax.) Whip system ensures many vote along party lines, limiting independent thought. 2023 - Sunak’s Illegal Migration Bill was criticised by MPs, legal experts, and human rights groups BUT most Tory MPs voted for it - party pressure? Select Committees have no power to enforce recommendations e.g. 2022 resentencing IPP prisoners, Justice committee, rejected
Limited time and access for opposition and backbench MPs. Little control over the legislative timetable. 2014-15, 6% PMBs became law. 2021-22, 20 PMBs got debated. Backbenchers can apply pressure but they arguably have no real, tangible power. Opposition days - 20 per year, mostly symbolic. Voted are non-binding. 2018 - LAB won vote demanding papers on Universal Credit, govt ignored the result. Take up 1/3 parliamentary time
The Opposition is important
Structured scrutiny. Their main role is to check and challenge the government and often provides a powerful incentive for them to ensure their actions are adequate. Demand transparency, 2021-22 Partygate, Starmer questioned Johnson repeatedly, kept issue in the public eye, Johnson resigned. PMQs, UQs and Debates hold govt to account. 1997 Blair “weak, weak, weak”
Alternative government. The Opposition can publicly position themselves as the new government and propose their own ideas. They can appear as competent and credible alternatives to the public. 2021 LAB green prosperity plan, publicly owned energy company. Appear as a government in waiting and were starkly different to the Tories
The Opposition is not important
No formal power to influence or block legislation. Especially when the gov has a large majority. 2019-22, Johnson passed many pieces of legislation that were controversial, didn’t matter because of majority e.g. 2022 police, crime and sentencing act, widespread LAB opposition. Blair’s first term = not defeated once
Scrutiny lacks a real impact. Opposition day votes are non binding. 2018, LAB won vote demanding papers, govt ignored this. PMQs are seen by some as performative due to planted questions and lack of affect on policy outcomes and direction. Sir Gerald Kaufman, long serving MP and ex minister said that PMQS had become an “exchange of pointless and useless declamations.”
Select committees improve scrutiny
Cross-party membership promotes detailed, balanced oversight This encourages a non-partisan approach to scrutiny. For example, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) often works to hold government departments accountable for spending. Under the chairmanship of Labour MP Meg Hillier, the PAC has investigated issues like the handling of PPE contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing lack of transparency, putting pressure on ministers to improve financial accountability.
Expert evidence and inquiries increase transparency and accountability. Committees have the power to call witnesses, including ministers, civil servants, and external experts. This enables them to gather in-depth evidence and challenge government decisions. A notable example is the Health and Social Care Committee, chaired by Conservative MP Jeremy Hunt, which held a high-profile inquiry into the government’s response to COVID-19. Its 2021 report was critical of delayed lockdowns and poor planning. BUT committees do not have the power to enforce compliance, do not have the power of subpoena like US committees
Select committees do not improve scrutiny
Lack of enforcement power limits impact. While select committees can investigate and make recommendations, they cannot enforce change. (60% recommendations rejected) Their reports often rely on government goodwill to be acted upon. For instance, the Work and Pensions Committee has repeatedly raised concerns about Universal Credit and the treatment of benefit claimants, but significant reforms have been slow or ignored by ministers. This shows that while scrutiny exists, it doesn’t always lead to concrete action. Cannot enforce compliance, Johnson failed to attend the Liaison committee 3 times (in 2019)
Government majority can reduce independence. Although select committees are cross-party, the government usually has a majority, which can influence the tone and outcomes of investigations. The election of chairs is independent, but party whips may still exert pressure. For example, critics argue that some Conservative-led committees have been less confrontational in scrutinising Boris Johnson’s or Rishi Sunak’s governments, particularly on sensitive issues like partygate or economic policy, limiting their effectiveness
E+A 3 reasons why MPs may defect
Office - if an MP has not achieved their desired promotion(s) switching and/or defecting may benefit their career. E.g. Winston Churchill was a Tory, but he defected to the Liberals in 1904, and then back to the Tories in 1924. Overall, MPs defect to benefit themselves
Votes - some MPs fall out with their constituents which reduces their chances of re-election. E.g. Woodward moved to the Labour safe seat St.Helens in 2001
Policy - the Burkean notion declares that MPs are free to develop their own position, so if they disagree with their party on ideology or policy, they may defect. E.g. Douglas Carswell moved to UKIP in 2014 because it was a ‘safe space’ for Euroskeptics
3 stages of the legislative process
Second Reading. This is the first opportunity for Members of Parliament (MPs) or Lords to debate the general principles of the bill. A vote is taken at the end. If the bill passes, it moves to the next stage. House of Lords Reform Bill (2012) This government bill proposed significant changes to the composition and powers of the House of Lords. It was defeated at its second reading in the House of Commons in July 2012.
Committee Stage. The bill is examined in detail, clause by clause, by a committee of MPs or Lords. Amendments can be proposed and voted on. In the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (2022), MPs added amendments regarding public protest powers.
Third reading. To debate the final version of the bill, including any amendments made in previous stages.
Focuses on the overall content and purpose of the bill, not on making further changes (especially in the Commons). E.g. Pet Abduction Act 2024
Purpose: Criminalises the abduction of cats and dogs, with provisions to extend to other commonly kept pets.
3 theories of representation
Trustee. Representatives are trusted to use their own judgment to make decisions in the best interest of their constituents. More like a guardian or expert decision-maker.
Delegate. Representatives act strictly according to the wishes of their constituents. The representative is like a mouthpiece or messenger. E.g. Caroline Flint was a Remain supporter but her constituency was Leave, she voted multiple times in Parliament to support Brexit legislation.
Mandate. Representatives are elected based on their party’s manifesto and are expected to follow the party line. They represent the party’s agenda as approved by voters. E.g. New Labour 1997
