Structure And Role Of The House Of Commons

Question 1

Name 6 main features of the House of Commons

Answer 1

1. There are 650 MPs, each elected from a constituency. Constituencies are roughly the same size.
2. There are frontbench MPs
3. There are backbench MPs
4. There are legislative committees
5. There are party whips
6. There is an elected speaker.

Question 2

What are frontbench MPs?

Answer 2

Frontbench MPs are government ministers and leading spokespersons from opposition parties. They are the minority.

Question 3

What are Backbench MPs?

Answer 3

Backbench MPs are MPs that do not hold any government office. They are the majority.

Question 4

What are legislative / public bill committees?

Answer 4

Legislative committees are temporary committees that scrutinise proposed legislation and propose amendments to improve the legislation.

Question 5

What are party whips?
Can you give an example of a party whip?

Answer 5

1. Party whips are senior MPs whose job is to keep party discipline, inform MPs about parliamentary business and discipline dissident MPs.
2. Gavin Williamson - served as chief whip from 2016 - 2017 for the Conservative party. He was known for keeping a tarantula called Cronus on his desk. Multiple accusations were made about bullying MPs.

Question 6

What is the role of the speaker?
Who is our current speaker?

Answer 6

1. The speaker is elected by MPs. Their job is to keep order in the house, and they have to remain neutral. They also rule on various disputes that arise.

Question 7

Describe the scandal that Sir Lindsey Hoyle has been involved in.

Answer 7

1. Sir Lindsay had decided to allow a vote on a Labour amendment to an SNP motion. SNP and Conservative MPs accused him of breaking with parliamentary convention, and an SNP member called him to step down.

Question 8

Give 2 examples of MPs that have been elected in the 2024 election.

Answer 8

1. Jeremy hunt was elected by the constituency Godalming and Ash. He has been an MP since 2005, and was the chancellor for the Conservative party from 2022 - 2024. He won by 1.6%
2. Jeremy Corbin was elected by the constituency Islington North. He has been an MP since 1983, and stood as an independent MP in the 2024 election, having previously been the Labour Party MP. He won 49% of the vote share.