The advantages and disadvantages of the legislative process1️⃣2️⃣

Question 1

(Advantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)
P – Parliamentary law making is democratic.

Answer 1

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Laws are made by elected MPs who are accountable to the public. The House of Commons holds real power, while the unelected House of Lords has limited influence due to the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949.
Impact:
Because of this, laws usually reflect the will of the people and the government’s election promises.
Example:
A government passes education reform laws based on its manifesto commitments.

Question 2

(Advantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – Parliament can reform whole areas of law in one Act.

Answer 2

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Unlike judges who are limited to changing the law case by case, Parliament can create new, clearer laws that replace outdated ones in full.
Impact:
Because of this, the law becomes easier to understand and more consistent across similar cases.
Example:
The Fraud Act 2006 replaced multiple old fraud laws with a single, modern structure.

Question 3

(Advantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – The process includes expert input.

Answer 3

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Many Lords have expertise in specific areas, and Government departments use specialist advice when drafting laws.
Impact:
Because of this, laws are more likely to work in practice and address real-world needs.
Example:
Lord Sugar advising on business laws due to his knowledge of technology and enterprise.

Question 4

(Advantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – There is consultation throughout the process.

Answer 4

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Green and white papers allow public and expert input early on. Later, in the committee stage, MPs can suggest changes based on interest or expertise.
Impact:
Because of this, laws are tested, refined, and more likely to be successful in operation.
Example:
A housing law being improved after landlords and tenants respond to the green paper.

Question 5

(Disadvantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – The process takes a long time.

Answer 5

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Laws must pass through several readings, debates, and committee stages. There’s often ‘ping pong’ between the Houses, delaying progress.
Impact:
Because of this, urgent changes can take months or even years, leaving legal gaps in the meantime.
Example:
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 took 14 months to pass through Parliament.

Question 6

(Disadvantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – The government dominates the law-making process.

Answer 6

Dev/I/E:
Development:
The government controls the timetable, limiting opportunities for other MPs or Lords to introduce reform. This can restrict debate and scrutiny.
Impact:
Because of this, important issues that aren’t politically popular may be ignored.
Example:
Lord Hailsham described this as an “elected dictatorship”

Question 7

(Disadvantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – Laws are often too complex.

Answer 7

Dev/I/E:
Development:
Acts of Parliament can be long, use technical language, and be spread across multiple documents and stages. This makes them hard to understand.
Impact:
Because of this, the public struggles to access or interpret laws that apply to them.
Example:
The Renton Committee criticised the complexity and poor structure of legislation.

Question 8

(Disadvantages of Parliamentary Law Making legislative process)

P – Some aspects of the process are undemocratic.

Answer 8

Dev/I/E:
Development:
The House of Lords and the Crown are unelected. Even in the Commons, MPs may vote with their party rather than their conscience or local interests.
Impact:
Because of this, laws may not reflect the true will or needs of the people.
Example:
MPs being forced to ‘take the whip’ instead of voting for their constituents’ views.