Parliament

Question 1

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - How do Select Committees empower backbench MPs?

Answer 1

They allow backbenchers to scrutinise ministers and departments with authority and influence.

Question 2

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - What is an example of a Select Committee chaired by a backbencher holding the government to account?

Answer 2

The Health and Social Care Select Committee, chaired by Jeremy Hunt during the pandemic.

Question 3

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - How can backbenchers influence government policy directly?

Answer 3

Through rebellions that can force the government to change or adapt policy.

Question 4

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - What is an example of a significant backbench rebellion?

Answer 4

In 2021, nearly 100 Conservative MPs rebelled over vaccine passports, forcing reliance on Labour votes.

Question 5

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - How does the Backbench Business Committee enhance MP accountability?

Answer 5

It enables backbenchers to schedule debates on topics they choose.

Question 6

Backbenchers Main Role Is Holding Government To Account - What are examples of issues debated thanks to the Backbench Business Committee?

Answer 6

Military action in Syria (2013) and Hillsborough justice campaigns.

Question 7

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - Why is legislative influence limited for backbenchers?

Answer 7

Most Private Members’ Bills fail without government backing.

Question 8

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - What’s an example of a Private Member’s Bill that failed?

Answer 8

The Assisted Dying Bill, due to lack of time and support.

Question 9

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - How can government majorities reduce backbench influence?

Answer 9

Large majorities make it easier for governments to pass laws without resistance.

Question 10

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - What majority allowed Boris Johnson to pass legislation with minimal scrutiny?

Answer 10

His 80-seat majority in 2019, used to push through acts like the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022.

Question 11

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - How does party loyalty limit scrutiny by backbenchers?

Answer 11

MPs seeking promotion may avoid defying the party whip.

Question 12

Backbenchers Have Other Principal Roles - What’s an example of party loyalty limiting scrutiny?

Answer 12

Only 7 Labour MPs defied the whip in 2024 over the 2-child benefit cap—each was suspended.

Question 13

Reform Needed For House Of Lords - Why is political cronyism a concern in the House of Lords?

Answer 13

Prime Ministers can appoint life peers, often selecting donors, allies, or former aides.

Question 14

Reform Needed For House Of Lords - What is an example of controversial Lords appointments linked to cronyism?

Answer 14

Boris Johnson’s honours list included Evgeny Lebedev, son of a former KGB agent.

Question 15

Reform Needed For House Of Lords - Why is the Lords described as bloated and inconsistent?

Answer 15

It has around 780 members—second-largest legislative chamber globally—with no size limit or retirement age.

Question 16

Reform Needed For House Of Lords - What makes hereditary peers controversial in modern politics?

Answer 16

92 hereditary peers still sit in the Lords, chosen by internal by-elections, seen as outdated and elitist.

Question 17

Reform Needed For House Of Lords -What is the criticism of hereditary peers in the Lords?

Answer 17

They are seen as anachronistic and incompatible with democratic values.

Question 18

House Of Lords Reform Is Not Essential - How does the House of Lords add value to legislation?

Answer 18

Many peers bring expertise and provide non-partisan scrutiny that improves proposed laws.

Question 19

House Of Lords Reform Is Not Essential - What’s an example of the Lords improving legislation?

Answer 19

They made detailed amendments to the Immigration Acts and Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Question 20

House Of Lords Reform Is Not Essential - How does the House of Lords act as a constitutional safeguard?

Answer 20

It checks executive dominance by challenging poorly drafted or rushed legislation.

Question 21

House Of Lords Reform Is Not Essential - What’s an example of the Lords acting as a safeguard during Brexit?

Answer 21

It defeated or amended several controversial parts of the Internal Market Bill.

Question 22

House Of Lords Reform Is Not Essential - What reforms have already taken place in the Lords?

Answer 22

The House of Lords Act 1999 removed most hereditary peers.

The Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 enabled quicker inclusion of female bishops.

Question 23

Parliament Is Largely Ineffective - How do large government majorities impact parliamentary influence?

Answer 23

They often guarantee the passage of bills with minimal opposition or amendment.

Question 24

Parliament Is Largely Ineffective - What’s an example of a bill passed with limited changes under a strong majority?

Answer 24

The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and Nationality and Borders Act 2022 under Boris Johnson’s 80-seat majority.

Question 25

Parliament Is Largely Ineffective - What’s an example of party whip influence limiting scrutiny?

Answer 25

In 2024, only 7 Labour MPs defied the whip on the 2-child benefit cap, resulting in suspension.

Question 26

Parliament Is Largely Ineffective - Why is the House of Lords limited in shaping legislation?

Answer 26

It can revise or delay legislation but cannot block it permanently due to the Parliament Acts (1911 & 1949).

Question 27

Parliament Is Largely Ineffective - What shows the Lords’ limited impact on final legislation?

Answer 27

Many amendments to the Internal Market Bill (2020) and Illegal Migration Bill (2023) were overturned by the Commons.

Question 28

Parliament Can Still Be Effective - How do select committees shape legislation indirectly?

Answer 28

They scrutinise policy areas and propose changes that influence future bills.

Question 29

Parliament Can Still Be Effective - What’s an example of select committee impact on legislation?

Answer 29

The Home Affairs Select Committee’s 2022 report on asylum backlogs and overcrowding at Manston processing centre.

Question 30

Parliament Can Still Be Effective - What is an example of the Lords influencing legislation?

Answer 30

During the Trade Bill, they pushed for amendments to give Parliament a stronger role in approving trade deals.

Question 31

Parliament Can Still Be Effective - How do committee stages support legislative improvement?

Answer 31

MPs can propose amendments during multiple readings and pre-legislative scrutiny stages.

Question 32

Parliament Can Still Be Effective - What changes were made to the Online Safety Bill (2023) due to parliamentary pressure?

Answer 32

Amendments on encryption and freedom of expression were introduced through cross-party efforts.

Question 33

The Lords Exerts More Influence (In Practice) Than Commons - How does the House of Lords provide scrutiny?

Answer 33

Through in-depth, expert examination of legislation, particularly on complex issues like human rights and trade.

Question 34

The Lords Exerts More Influence (In Practice) Than Commons - Why is the House of Lords considered more independent?

Answer 34

Many Lords, especially crossbench peers, are not subject to party whips and provide neutral scrutiny.

Question 35

The Lords Exerts More Influence (In Practice) Than Commons - How did Lords' independence impact the Illegal Migration Bill (2023)?

Answer 35

The Lords made multiple amendments focusing on human rights and legal safeguards.

Question 36

The Lords Exerts More Influence (In Practice) Than Commons - What is an example of Lords' amendments leading to changes in a bill?

Answer 36

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (2022) was repeatedly amended, especially around protest rights.

Question 37

The Commons Remains More Influential Than Lords - Why does the Commons hold ultimate power over legislation?

Answer 37

It has democratic legitimacy and can override Lords amendments via the Parliament Acts.

Question 38

The Commons Remains More Influential Than Lords - What’s an example of Commons overriding Lords influence?

Answer 38

Commons overturned Lords' objections to the Illegal Migration Bill in 2023.

Question 39

The Commons Remains More Influential Than Lords - What’s an example of party majority enabling legislative control?

Answer 39

Boris Johnson's 80-seat majority (2019) pushed through the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.

Question 40

The Commons Remains More Influential Than Lords - How do Commons Select Committees shape government decisions?

Answer 40

They scrutinise ministers, investigate policy failures, and influence future lawmaking.

Question 41

The Commons Remains More Influential Than Lords - Which Select Committee held government accountable for spending during COVID-19?

Answer 41

The Public Accounts Committee.