Scrutiny & Relations of Government

Question 1

What is the scrutiny of government

Answer 1

Parliamentarians ask questions of the government to extract info & to get the gov to explain & defend its policies, actions & decisions

Question 2

What are the 3 types of Scrutiny?

Answer 2

Parliamentary Questions
Parliamentary debates
Select committees

Question 3

What are PMQ’s

Answer 3

Held every Wednesday, where opposition MP’s highlight how their party would do a better job

Question 4

What are Parliamentary debates?

Answer 4

Primary vehicle through business of Parliament is carried out.

Gov only beaten in commons 13 times 1997-2015

Question 5

See Essay on select committees

Answer 5

Press 1

Question 6

What are the fundamental principles of the UK Governmental system

Answer 6

Rule of Law
Separation of Powers
Parliamentary Sovereignty
Accountability

Question 7

Pritti Patel Rwanda plan

Answer 7

“It will deter illegal & dangerous routes of entry into the UK”

Question 8

Parliamentary Scrutiny of the MOU

Answer 8

Court of Appeal ruled it “unlawful”
Rwanda not a safe country
Individuals due to be flown submitted JR applications

Very little scrutiny

Question 9

Theresa May on MOU

Answer 9

“I do not support it on the grounds of legality practicality or efficacy”

Question 10

Safety of Rwanda Asylum & Immigration Act 2024

Answer 10

Every decision maker treat Rwanda as a safe country
Courts couldn’t argue against this
Provisions of this Act apply in spite of the HRA. (Parliamentary sovereignty in action)
In essence the courts are excluded

Parliament is supreme, so as it had a majority, it passed.

All scrutiny and criticism was rejected and ignored.

Question 11

Robert Jenrick

Answer 11

Immigration Minister resigned at passing of Safety of Rwanda Asylum & Immigration Act 2024 as he didn’t agree with it

Question 12

What did the Dissolution & Calling of Parliament Act 2022 do?

Answer 12

Restored PM’s ability to call for elections

Question 13

What are the 3 conditions of the Recall of MP’s Act 2015 do?

Answer 13

Remove an MP early if:
Convicted of any offence in UK
Suspended from the House
Make false or misleading Parliamentary allowance claims

Question 14

What is the criteria for a petition to be noticed?

Answer 14

10k for a response from Parliament
100k for consideration for debate

Question 15

Are referendums legally binding?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

What is a referendum?

Answer 16

Makes it possible for the electorate to give a clear judgment on a single issue of immediate importance

Question 17

Give an example of a referendum

Answer 17

Referendum Act 1975 - “Do you think the UK should stay in the European Community?”