The structure and role of Parliament

Question 1

What are the two Houses of the UK Parliament?

Answer 1

The House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Question 2

What are the main roles of the House of Commons?

Answer 2

To make and pass legislation, represent the public, scrutinise the government, and authorise taxation and spending.

Question 3

What are the main roles of the House of Lords?

Answer 3

To scrutinise and revise legislation, delay non-money bills, and hold government to account through debate and expertise.

Question 4

What is meant by a bicameral legislature?

Answer 4

A legislature with two separate chambers: in the UK, the Commons and the Lords.

Question 5

What are the differences between the House of Lords and House of Commons?

Answer 5

Lords are unelected, have limited legislative power, and focus on revision; Commons are elected and have final say on laws.

Question 6

What is the scrutiny function of Parliament?

Answer 6

Parliament holds the executive accountable through questioning, committees, and debates.

Question 7

How does Parliament carry out its scrutiny function?

Answer 7

Via PMQs, select committees, debates, ministerial questioning, and the opposition.

Question 8

What is the legislative function of Parliament?

Answer 8

Parliament debates, amends, and passes laws proposed by the government or private members.

Question 9

How are government bills introduced and passed?

Answer 9

Through readings, committee stage, and voting in both Houses before Royal Assent.

Question 10

What is the representation function of Parliament?

Answer 10

MPs represent their constituents’ views, interests, and needs in the Commons.

Question 11

How do MPs represent their constituents?

Answer 11

Through debates, voting, surgeries, and raising issues with ministers or in committees.

Question 12

What is the recruitment and training function of Parliament?

Answer 12

Parliament develops future government ministers and leaders from MPs and peers.

Question 13

What are the three main types of members in the House of Lords?

Answer 13

Life peers, hereditary peers, and Lords Spiritual (bishops).

Question 14

How are life peers appointed?

Answer 14

By the monarch on advice of the PM or House of Lords Appointments Commission, usually for political service or expertise.

Question 15

How many hereditary peers remain after the 1999 House of Lords Act?

Answer 15

92 hereditary peers remain.

Question 16

What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?

Answer 16

To maintain order in debates, ensure fairness, and remain politically impartial.

Question 17

What is Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)?

Answer 17

A weekly session (Wednesdays) where MPs question the PM on government policy.

Question 18

What is the role of select committees?

Answer 18

To scrutinise government departments, investigate policy, and publish reports.

Question 19

How do public bill committees differ from select committees?

Answer 19

Public bill committees examine specific legislation; select committees scrutinise departmental work long-term.

Question 20

What is the significance of the Backbench Business Committee?

Answer 20

It gives backbench MPs control over 35 days of debate time annually.

Question 21

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 21

The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority, able to make or repeal any law.

Question 22

How has parliamentary sovereignty been challenged in recent years?

Answer 22

By devolution, the Human Rights Act, EU membership (pre-Brexit), and judicial review.

Question 23

What is a free vote in Parliament?

Answer 23

A vote where MPs are not bound by party instructions, used on ethical/moral issues.

Question 24

What is party discipline and how is it enforced?

Answer 24

The expectation that MPs vote with their party, enforced by whips and the threat of deselection or removal.

Question 25

What are arguments that Parliament is effective in holding government to account?

Answer 25

Strong select committees, media coverage of PMQs, House of Lords scrutiny, backbench rebellions.

Question 26

What are criticisms of Parliament’s effectiveness?

Answer 26

Party loyalty, government majority dominance, lack of Lords' democratic legitimacy, weak opposition.

Question 27

How does the House of Lords contribute to legislative scrutiny?

Answer 27

Through expertise, amendment of bills, and delaying non-money bills for further consideration.

Question 28

What are limitations on the effectiveness of the House of Lords?

Answer 28

It cannot block money bills and can only delay legislation; it's unelected and lacks democratic legitimacy.

Question 29

What is the role of the opposition in Parliament?

Answer 29

To question and challenge the government, offer alternatives, and hold it accountable.

Question 30

What is the significance of opposition days?

Answer 30

They allow opposition parties to set the agenda and raise issues for debate.

Question 31

What reforms were introduced by the Wright Committee?

Answer 31

Election of select committee chairs by MPs, creation of Backbench Business Committee, more power to backbenchers.

Question 32

How has the role of select committees changed in recent decades?

Answer 32

They’ve become more independent, better resourced, and more influential in policymaking.

Question 33

What are arguments for further reform of the House of Lords?

Answer 33

Democratic legitimacy, transparency, removing patronage and hereditary peers.

Question 34

What are arguments against further reform of the House of Lords?

Answer 34

Loss of expertise, politicisation, constitutional disruption, potential rivalry with the Commons.

Question 35

Name a bill that was significantly amended by the House of Lords.

Answer 35

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement 2020 – several Lords amendments were proposed and debated.

Question 36

Give an example of effective select committee scrutiny.

Answer 36

Home Affairs Committee’s scrutiny of Windrush scandal led to ministerial resignations and policy changes.

Question 37

Provide an example of a backbench rebellion.

Answer 37

December 2021: Nearly 100 Conservative MPs rebelled against Covid-19 restrictions (Plan B).

Question 38

What is an example of a peer with expertise influencing legislation?

Answer 38

Lord Winston, a medical expert, influencing debates on fertility and bioethics legislation.

Question 39

What case highlighted Parliament’s role in constitutional matters (e.g. Brexit)?

Answer 39

R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the EU (2017): Parliament had to trigger Article 50.

Question 40

What is a recent example of Parliament voting down government legislation?

Answer 40

In January 2019, May’s Brexit deal was rejected by 230 votes – largest defeat in modern history.