Parliament Miss Coke

Question 1

How to become a member of the House of Lords

Answer 1

1. Join a party
2. Get placed on party’s approved central list of candidates.
3. Get nominated as the ppc for constituency by being elected by local party members.
4. When elections called, ensured your nominated by at least 10 local residents and registered with constituency’s returning offices.
5. Win plurality of votes in constituency when general election held.

Question 2

How do you become a member of the lords

Answer 2

1. Get nominated by current party leader, HOLAC or the public.
   2, nominees are considered and vetted by independent HOLAC and names passed to prime minister.
2. Prime minister considers list and passes to monarch who issues offices letters patent.
3. Newly created life peer present letters patent and is sworn in as life peer in short ceremony.

Question 3

Who are backbenchers?

Answer 3

ALL MPS who aren’t in government / shadow cabinet.
Often less experienced and maybe unimportant as key role is to vote how party wants them to.

Question 4

Parliamentary privilege

Answer 4

All MPS have it.
Legal immunity and protections while performing duties in parliament, complete freedom of speech.

Question 5

Wright reforms

Answer 5

For HOC pushed by PM Gordon Brown to limit executive + make it accountable to parliament.
After 2010 general election.
Key reform, 1. Backbench Business Committee 2010, backbenchers have a say on agenda of Parliament.
2. Chairs of select committee elected by backbenchers rather than party leaders.

Question 6

Backbenchers exert influence by

Answer 6

1. Rebel against government bills to defeat govement + stop laws being passed.
   Increased due to gov having small majorities/being coalitions.
   Theresa May defeated 33x when she has minority gov.
2. Urgent questions.
   Question ministers on matters of public importance.
   Speaker decides whether to grant it.
   Question + scrutinise gov on issues.
   Lindsay Hoyle average 0.6 q per day.

Question 7

Limits of influence

Answer 7

Less influence when givement has majority.
Rebellions less likely to succeed.
Less like to risk political career by rebelling against gov when lil chance of winning.

Question 8

Select committees

Answer 8

For every gov department with sim of scrutinise policy administration + spending while there’s some with special functions.
Public accounts committee- examine government expenditure to ensure money isn’t wasted.
Liaison committees has chairs of every other select committee + questions PM 2x a year across whole field of gov policy.
Each has minimum 11 backbenchers + reflects parties in HOC.
Following wright reforms 2010, chairs elected by fellow MPS which increased their independence.
Members chosen for importance + experience in policy area by secret ballot within party groups.
Allowed important backbench MPS who oppose govement on issue to obtain key roles.

Question 9

Role + authority

Answer 9

Power to gather evidence + summon witness’ wiht a relevant interest.
-can appoint special advisors.
-make reports which gov responds to in 2 months.

Question 10

Important + influential as

Answer 10

-Gov publicly respond to their findings in 2 months + can directly influence gov policy.
E.g office for budget responsibility suggested by Treasury Select Committee.
-Liaison committee directly questions + scrutinise PM 2x a year.

Question 11

Influence limited as

Answer 11

Gov accepts about 40% of S.C recommendations. Usually minor changes.
Boris Johnson 2x cancelled appointments to attend Liaison Committee + was able to avoid scrutiny.

Question 12

Lords Select Committee

Answer 12

Don’t shadow gov departments but scrutinise legislation + investigate certain issues.
E.g constitution committee examine constitutional implication of public bills + investigate issues wiht the broad constitution.
Often have an expert perspective.

Question 13

Opposition

Answer 13

Formal opposition is 2nd largest party in HOC, which forms ‘shadow cabinet’ to shadow + scrutinise gov departments while providing alternative policies to govern as a gov in waiting.

Question 14

Opposition effective scrutiny

Answer 14

The fact they shadow gov departments + give alternative policies to public pressures gov to perform effectively + force them to defend their policies.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
-Keri Badnoche leader opposition ( conservative) directly Q PM at PMQ’S + ask follow upon QS can also respond to major gov statements e.g budget.
Same occurs for shadow ministers for their ministers 8n ministerial question time.
Lindsay Hoyle average 0.6 questions per day

Question 15

Opposition ineffective scrutiny

Answer 15

1. Struggle to gain media attention when governments popular/performing highly important functions.
   E.g Covid Keri gained little media attention as the dominance of government messaging especially the PM and health experts.
2. Does receive £6.8m in short money but this is little compared to huge departments with thousands of civil servants that gov controls.

Question 16

Ministerial question time

Answer 16

Weekly, government ministers are questioned in parliament about work of their departments by backbenchers + opposition.
-Most questions pre-written so ministers may prepare detailed answers, while others are in person have to think on-feet.
-Effective, detailed scrutiny weekly + more calm than parliamentary question time.

Question 17

PMQ’S

Answer 17

Every Wednesday + lasts 30 mins.
Kemi directly Q + scrutinise PM on key political events + backbenchers ask questions aswell.

Question 18

PMQ’S + MQ’S effective scrutiny

Answer 18

Kemi + leader of 3rd largest party ask gov q’s directly + can expose their failures + suggest why they’d be more effective.
Gov gas to address public, opposition + backbencher concerns.
E,g Corbyn asks bare QS from public.
PMQ’S televised weekly and its most watched aspect of parliament among public. Highly important to encourage engagement in politics + expose Gov failures to public.

Question 19

PMQ’S ineffective scrutiny

Answer 19

Effective depend on abilities of backbenchers + leader of opposition.
-corbyn was a poor performer.
PMQs are boisterous. Present negative view of politicians to public decrease trust in politicians.

Question 20

Public bills are

Answer 20

Majority of bills affect the whole population.
Include gov bulls + private member bills.

Question 21

Private bills

Answer 21

Organisation to change something law prohibits them from doing.
Normally considered by committees of houses.
Rarely attract publicity.

Question 22

Parliament

Answer 22

The British legislature made of HOC, HOL + MONARCH.

Question 23

HOC

Answer 23

Primary chamber of legislature, elected by voters.

Question 24

HOL

Answer 24

2nd chamber of legislature, unelected.

Question 25

Confidence and supply

Answer 25

**Supply** willingness of HOC to authorise necessary tax + borrowing for gov to operate. **Confidence** is faith in gov ability to operate + get things done. This results from gov having support of majority of MPs thru its party, a minority gov may rely on another party to grant it CAS agreement by supporting gov in passing key measures e.g. Budget. If gov fail to pass it or are defeated in a vote of no confidence, all members must resign.

Question 26

Legislative process

Answer 26

1. First reading 2. Second reading 3. Committee stage 4. Report stage 5. Third reading 6. Royal assent

Question 27

Party whips

Answer 27

Senior MPS whose role is to keep party discipline.

Question 28

Private member bills

Answer 28

By backbench MPs Legislation that began as PMB include Abortion Act 1967 which legalised abortion. Little chance of being passed unless backed by gov + little time in parliamentary calendar for them.

Question 29

10 minute rule bills

Answer 29

backbenchers make thier case for a new bill. aren’t given importance in parliament calendar, likely be unsuccessful

Question 30

Salisbury convention was less important when

Answer 30

2010-15, gov didn’t enjoy electoral mandate as coalition of 2 parties. 2015-2017 LD peers suspended it as gov elected in such a small popular vote therefore, less important and HOL was a bale to pass amendments to legislation in defiance of gov. Disagreement if should apply in collations + minority gov. In general, the Lords cannot introduce ‘wrecking amendments’ which change gov manifesto intention. Must give HOC time to consider amendments.

Question 32

Lords can insist on..

Answer 32

amendments which can force gov + the commons majority into submission. 2015, gov proposal to cut payments of tax credits rejected by HOL + gov was defeated. delay enforced gov t think carefully before introducing controversial legislation.

Question 33

If Lords offers amendments but rejected by HOC

Answer 33

L accepts lack of democratic legitimacy + backs down. EU withdrawal agreement act 2020 sent back to HOC w 5 amendments but HOC rejected all + LORDS backed down, recognising dem. legitimacy of HOC and Brexit.

Question 34

Parliament ping pong

Answer 34

If either amends bill, other must agree or go back + forth before agreement. 2021 trade act which established Trade Remedies Authority. -HOL sought to amend to prevent UK gov from agreeing to trade deals wiht countries that committed genocide. Introduced in commons and then later the lords. After his went back and forth 6 times before royal assent April 2021. HOL eventually backed down on its amendment.

Question 35

Secondary legislation

Answer 35

Laws made / changes by ministers that don’t pass thru parliamentary procedures by statutory instruments. In other words, Parliament has delegated power to ministers as they can make /regulate law.

Question 36

HOL on secondary legislation

Answer 36

**SL scrutiny committee** considers all SL + what proposals may cause concern. Where concern’s expressed, matter brought to attention + referred to HOC. Provide disclipine on gov. Also, members share in work of joint committee on statutory instruments, checks SL for errors in wording + meaning. Here, it’s more important than HOC. E.g OCT 2015, vote against SL that reduced tax credit lvl paid to LIC families. Gov amended legislation so it was acceptable to peers.

Question 37

Scruniyy of govement ent - important for HOC

Answer 37

1. can criticise gov. PMQ every Wed 30 mins 2. Refuse to pass a piece of legislation. Rarely occurs but the mere threat it may is enough for gov to reconsider. An- when occurs repeatedly, gov weakened + appear as ineffective; can force a PM from power. In 2019 with pressure on May after failing to pass proposals for Brexit through parliament. She then suffered 33 defeats 2017-2019. Therefore, HOC is capable of challenging the executive + the repeated rejections of her Brexit dels shows engagement in detailed scrutiny. 2. Committees(public bills committee) examine proposed legislation (like bills) 3. The lords it’s limited as many senior ministers sit in the HOC. When scrutinising legislation, experts can use knowledge + skills. Main way is ‘committee stage’ of a bill; debate details of proposed legislation + propose amendments.

Question 38

Constituency representation

Answer 38

Important to take care of interests as may involve lobbying minister/raise matter into HOC; where it will gain publicity. Constituents interests may run counter to gov policy e.g. fracking debate October 2022. The conservative gov supported it but the constituencies with a conservative MP felt threatened by it. Party whips usually allow MP ago put constituency beofre party allegiance. MPS e.g. Chris Skidmore expressed inability to support due to environmental concerns. Many MPs risked suspension from the party. The lords: only represent interests of members; no formal constituency to represent.

Question 40

Peers in HOL

Answer 40

backbench peers have many roles: HOL sometimes asked to debate on great national issue in which peers (e.g. former gov ministers or heads of organisations e.g pressure groups) can bring in knowledge to influence debates. 2010-2019 gov had no secure single party majority/only small advantage in HOC. gov had to take opposition seriously peers got increased in influence over legislation. Scrutinise legislation. Exp. + knowledge help improve it + ensure minorities protected.

Question 41

Liaison committee

Answer 41

2002. Call PM to account. PM appear 2x a year before them. Lacks power and ineffective e,g Johnson cancelled many planned appearances Missed out on scrutinising him on issues e.g. delays in Lockdowns

Question 42

HOL power in CAS agreement

Answer 42

No power as no role to remove gov from power which means it’s far less effective at holding gov to account.

Question 43

Reasonable time convention

Answer 43

HOL parliament allows them to delay legislation for up-To 1 year however a reasonable time convention has emerged. HOL has to consider gov legislation in reasonable time and vote on it by the end of the parliamentary session. Ability to scrutinise gov is restricted as with time pressure, fewer amendments can be proposed and may not have enough time to debate every aspect of a bill. **However**, although HOC has a higher status, the HOL recovered some of its former authority after 1999 HOL act. More active + willing to challenge HOC as more legitimate with the removal of many hereditary peers.

Question 44

Peers in HOL

Answer 44

backbench peers have many roles -HOL sometimes asked to debate on a great national issue. Peers (e.g. former gov ministers or heads of organisations like pressure groups) can use their knowledge to influence debates. 2010-2019, gov had no secure single party majority. The gov had to take opposition in HOL seriously. Peers got increased influence over legislation. Scrutinise legislation use knowledge e.g. Uk gov introduced **Internal Market Bill** after **Brexit** in which **Lord Judge** expressed that a part of the Bill would undermine the rule of law and damage the reputation of the UK. Significant amendments were then made. The final version of the bill no longer breached international law, scrutiny successfully protected ROL.

Question 45

Liaison Committee

Answer 45

Created in 2002. Call PM to account. PM appear 2x a year before them. However, it’s ineffective and lacks power e.g Johnson cancelled many planned appearances so couldn’t hold him to account.

Question 48

Backbench business committee

Answer 48

Set up as of the Wright reforms 2010. Made of elected backbench MPs. Has to determine what issues should be debated in the 1 day/week allocated to it. Topic to debate comes from many resources e.g. request from MP, national/local campaigns or when an e-petition achieves 100k signs.

Question 49

Impact of HOC select committee ✅❎

Answer 49

❎no power to enforce decisions + recommendations can only bring publicity to issues and hold gov to account. ✅play growing part in parliamentary role of accountability questioning can be intense and prolonged. In 2016, investigation into affairs of Phillip Green and Mike Ashley had many TV views showing the public is interested.

Question 50

Public accounts committee

Answer 50

Examine public finances since 1961.