Parliament

Question 1

how are MPs elected?

Answer 1

chosen through election to represent a constituency via first past the post

Question 2

what are the 3 types of Lords?

Answer 2

• life peers
• hereditary lords
• ‘lords spiritual’

Question 3

What are the 3 functions of parliament?

Answer 3

• scrutiny
• pass legislation
• representation

Question 4

How often a PMQs?

Answer 4

every Wednesday 12-12:30

Question 5

How often are MQTs?

Answer 5

1 every day except Wednesday

Question 6

give an example for PMQ?

Answer 6

David cameron once attacked Corbyn on his choice of suit

Question 7

how are PMQs effective?

Answer 7

• televised -so public can see what happens
• PM more judged- show their leadership style
• house is full, more people+Qs
• PM has to attend - can’t hide a no.10

Question 8

how are PMQs ineffective?

Answer 8

• questions planned to make PM look good
• lack detail as only 30mins
• can’t give detailed answers

Question 9

how are MQTs effective?

Answer 9

• longer w/ more detail - able to prepare

- allows MPs to inform themselves about govt polioy - can raise issues of interest to their constituents

Question 10

how are MQTs ineffective?

Answer 10

• boring

- less people, less often - due to number of govt departments, each department generally answers once a month

Question 11

what are adjournment debates?

Answer 11

• allow commons to debate on something without question and the house must decide
• 30 mins @ end of each day

Question 12

Who deals with e-petitions?

Answer 12

backbench business committee

Question 13

give an example of an adjournment debate?

Answer 13

2015 - military action in Syria - govt. then lost vote

Question 14

give an example of e-petition?

Answer 14

Donald trump e-petition, 1.8 million votes (no state visit)

Question 15

how are adjournment debates effective?

Answer 15

• commons can raise important questions

- frequent + up to date

Question 16

how are e-petitions effective?

Answer 16

• allows people to voice their opinions

Question 17

how are adjournment debates ineffective?

Answer 17

• only 30 mins each day - not that much
• people might not have much info on debate
• not binding vote

Question 18

what are opposition days?

Answer 18

opposition parties are allocated 20 days a year to propose subject topics for debate

Question 19

give an example for opposition days?

Answer 19

post office + passport delays (see case studies)

Question 20

how are opposition days effective?

Answer 20

• case study shows they are good as they can win

- opposition parties have a say

Question 21

how are opposition days ineffective?

Answer 21

case study - mainly helped by public

• most don’t actually happen
• govt chose when opposition days are

Question 22

What do DSCs do?

Answer 22

scrutinise policy, administration and spending of each government department

Question 23

example of DSC?

Answer 23

Treasury Committee

- examine policy, administration and policy of HM treasury

Question 24

how are DSCs effective?

Answer 24

• go into great detail when examining actions of govt.

- cross bench, so no govt. bias

Question 25

how are DSCs ineffective?

Answer 25

govt. don't have to act on them - only have to reply

Question 26

What % of DSC reforms are acted upon?

Answer 26

30%

Question 27

What is functional/descriptive representation?

Answer 27

looks like what society looks like

Question 28

Give 5 things an MP or peer could claim to represent?

Answer 28

``` age gender sexuality ethnicity/religion class ```

Question 29

What are the 3 things an MP or peer could claim to represent? (not functional/descriptive)

Answer 29

electorate party constituency

Question 30

why can an MP or peer claim to represent the electorate?

Answer 30

because of the doctors mandate e.g. Brexit / syria vote

Question 31

why can an MP or peer claim to represent their party?

Answer 31

party chooses them to run + fundraise. expects loyalty in return - whip

Question 32

why can an MP claim to represent their constituency?

Answer 32

constituents elect them

Question 33

what is the average constituency size in UK?

Answer 33

60,000 - 70,000

Question 34

describe the process a bill has to go through to become a law?

Answer 34

- first reading - second reading - committee stage - report stage - third reading - the same in the Lords - royal assent

Question 35

give an example of a DSC summoning witness

Answer 35

- Home affairs select committee | - amber Rudd to talk about govt policy regarding windrush scandal

Question 36

what are urgent questions?

Answer 36

- MPs apply for UQ because they need rapid response from govt - have to ask speaker by 9:30am - govt minister has to come and answer by 11:00

Question 37

give an example of an urgent question?

Answer 37

11 July 2016, Helen Goodman applied for Q on topic of whether parliament could trigger article 50

Question 38

what is the % split between men and women in society?

Answer 38

women 51% | men 49%

Question 39

in 2017 what % of MPs were women ?

Answer 39

32%

Question 40

what % of conservative and labour MPs are women?

Answer 40

labour 45% | conservative 21%

Question 41

how has the number of female MPs changed since 2015?

Answer 41

2017 - 208 women | 2015 - 191 women

Question 42

in UK what % go to uni? what % of MPs go to uni

Answer 42

19% and 84%

Question 43

what happens to a bill after 1st and 2nd reading?

Answer 43

bill scrutinised by public bill committee

Question 44

who makes up a public bill committee and what do they do?

Answer 44

- Made up of MPs with knowledge and passion for subject | - They review the bill and suggest any possible amendments

Question 45

what can lead to legislation being rushed?

Answer 45

external factors e.g. media and news

Question 46

what lead to the 1991 dangerous dogs act being passed?

Answer 46

passed in response to a number of tabloid stories about dog attacks by so called 'dangerous dogs'

Question 47

why was the 1991 dangerous dogs act so poor?

Answer 47

- Act didn’t take into account the biological determination between safe and dangerous animals - it was completely unenforceable and without sentencing instructions

Question 48

why do whips undermine legislation ?

Answer 48

force MPs to vote with party rather than by their own beliefs

Question 49

why do MPs obey whip?

Answer 49

MPs sacrifice their beliefs in order to climb up ladder within party

Question 50

give an example of an MP climbing up party ladder

Answer 50

- Nicky Morgan had never defied whip | - went from MP to minister in 5yrs

Question 51

why are the lords superior due HoL act 1999?

Answer 51

- removed hereditary peers | - more people turn up

Question 52

who are lords appointed by

Answer 52

- committee according to their suitability | - look meticulously over lords ability for role

Question 53

how many defeats did Conservative govts 1979-97 have?

Answer 53

241 defeats to lords

Question 54

how many defeats did Conservative govt 2015-16 have

Answer 54

60

Question 55

which type of peers have a particularly important role in holding govt to account ?

Answer 55

Cross-bench peers play important role in holding govt to account

Question 56

give an example of cross bench peer challenging govt

Answer 56

- lord Owen, former doctor, played key role in opposing coalition govt controversial health and social care bill - passed march 2012 after govt accepted all amendments proposed in lords

Question 57

give an example fo govt forcing bill through ?

Answer 57

2004 banning hunting with dogs

Question 58

what did the departure of most of the hereditary peers remove?

Answer 58

traditional conservative dominance in house

Question 59

what did Lib Dem peers do in 2005?

Answer 59

- opposed proposals for identity cards, even though it had been a Labour policy announced in advance - Argued salisbury convention no longer applied as govt re-elected on v.low share of popular vote

Question 60

what does govt use majority to do?

Answer 60

overturn critical lords amendments

Question 61

give an example of govt using majority to beat lords

Answer 61

- feb 2012, coalition rejected 7 amendments to its welfare reform and work bill - argued only commons were entitled to take decisions w/ large financial implications