Relationship Between the Executive and Parliament Flashcards
What is meant by the term ‘elective dictatorship’? - Executive and Parliament
The term ‘elective dictatorship’ refers to a government with a large parliamentary majority, so much so that it faces virtually no prospect of defeat in Parliament and is able to pass whatever statute it wishes without opposition.
How do the Parliament Acts of 1911/49 and the Salisbury Convention impact the relationship between Parliament and the executive? - Executive and Parliament
The 1911/49 Parliament Acts restricted the ability of the House of Lords in blocking legislation, eventually meaning they can only delay it for a maximum of 1 year (and not able to delay money bills). The Salisbury Convention means that the Lords cannot vote against manifesto commitments of governing parties.
When have the Parliament Acts been used to strengthen the power of the Executive against the Legislature? - Executive and Parliament
The Parliament Acts were used by the New Labour government to ban fox hunting despite opposition in the Lords, as well as to lower the age of consent for gay sex to the same as it is for heterosexual sex.
How does the Government having a clear majority impact the relationship between the Executive and Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
If the Government has a majority of MPs to vote for legislation, then they are able to whip support and force legislation through the Commons.
When has a clear government majority been used to assert the dominance of the Executive in Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
The Points Based Immigration system and the EU Future Relationship Bill were both passed by large Conservative majorities in 2020. The 1979-90 CON GOV and 1997-2005 LAB GOV are also examples.
How does the Government not having a clear parliamentary majority affect the relationship between Parliament and the Executive? - Executive and Parliament
If the Government lacks a decisive majority they can often struggle to pass legislation that requires cross-party agreement. This means bills may end up being amended to be more palatable by the opposition.
When has a Government lacked a clear Commons majority and, as such, struggled to legislate in a decisive manner? - Executive and Parliament
The 2010 Coalition government had no stable majority to pass bills desired by either side, meaning that legislation had to be passed on the basis of compromise. Furthermore, from 2017-19, the DUP were used as part of a confidence and supply arrangement with a weakened Conservative party.
How does the role of patronage and party whips impact the relationship between the Executive and Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
If a Government can coerce their MPs into voting for legislation in return for patronage and ministerial positions from the PM (as well as by threats from whips), this can ease the threat of internal rebellions. It can furthermore ensure the passage of controversial bills as dictated by the Government.
When has patronage and the influence of party whips led to the Executive asserting their dominance over Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
The power of patronage and threats by Party Whips has been seen to allow the Executive to dominate Parliament when controversial policies such as the expanded provision of Free School Meals were voted down by the Conservative government in 2020. Tory MPs were also whipped to vote for Johnson’s Brexit deal.
How does the presence of a strong leader or ideology impact the relationship between the Executive and Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
If a party is united and supportive of a strong leader, this can help the government to pass legislation as it diminishes the threat and influence of internal rebellions.
What examples are there of a united party behind a strong leader/ideology being able to dominate Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
Thatcherism within the Conservative Party of the 1980s, the Brown/Blair New Labour Years, post-war Labour welfare and current Euroscepticism have all seen domination of Parliament by united parties.
How does the presence of a strong opposition party/parties impact the relationship between the Executive and Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
If an opposition party is strong and united against a governing party with a slim majority, it means that any government proposals face increasing scrutiny from the opposition, and that any internal rebellions can pose serious threat to a bill’s passage.
When has the presence of a strong opposition party diminished the authority a Government has over Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
Following the 1992 General Election, the Major Government faced serious pressure from a united opposition under John Smith and then Tony Blair, with this exacerbated by internal disruption and divisions within his own party.
How can the increased activism of the House of Lords impact the relationship between Parliament and the Executive? - Executive and Parliament
An increasingly activist and disruptive House of Lords has become a thorn in the side of many government proposals, delaying and often causing compromises in Government policies and plans deemed unpalatable by the Lords.
When has the increased activism of the House of Lords diminished the power of government against that of Parliament? - Executive and Parliament
An increasingly activist House of Lords has been seen to obstruct government proposals in that the Internal Markets Bill was defeated many times by the Lords due to fears that it would break international law. The Lords also rejected a bill relating to passing costs of fire safety arrangements on to tenants.
