UK GOV: PARIL-2.2.2.2 Functions of Parliament (selection & representation 2)

Question 1

What is the purpose of examining how selection contributes towards parliamentary functions?

Answer 1

To understand how MPs and Lords are selected

Question 2

What is the maximum time the Lords can delay a bill due to the Parliament Acts?

Answer 2

One year

Question 3

What is a significant limitation of the time allocated for parliamentary discussion?

Answer 3

Limited time for discussion (13 Fridays)

Question 4

What is meant by ‘parliamentary ping pong’?

Answer 4

The process where a bill is sent back and forth between the Houses

Question 5

What is the Trustee Model in representation?

Answer 5

Constituents voting for an MP is a sign of their trust, allowing MPs to make decisions they see as right

Question 6

What is the Delegate Model in representation?

Answer 6

MPs act as mouthpieces, reflecting their constituents’ views

Question 7

What is the average age of MPs as of 2024?

Answer 7

48 years

Question 8

What percentage of MPs are women as of 2024?

Answer 8

40%

Question 9

What is the significance of having 90 MPs from a minority ethnic background?

Answer 9

It is the highest ever representation of minority ethnic backgrounds in the Commons

Question 10

What does descriptive representation mean?

Answer 10

A group elects an individual to represent them who in their own characteristics mirror some of the more frequent experiences and outward manifestations of the group.

Question 11

What is the party mandate model?

Answer 11

Political parties, not individual MPs, serve the primary purpose of representation

Question 12

How does the average age of the Lords compare to that of MPs?

Answer 12

The average age of the Lords is 71 years
The average age of the Commons is 46 down from the last Parliaments 51 (where it has consistently remained

Question 13

What percentage of the Lords are women?

Answer 13

30%

Question 14

Who are the youngest Lords in the House?

Answer 14

Baroness Smith (welsh nationalist) (b. 1996) and Lord Kempsell (b. 1992)

Question 15

What are three ways in which a Lord might be chosen?

Answer 15

• Hereditary peerage * Life peerage * Bishops of the Church of England

Question 16

What is a criticism of the effectiveness of the UK Parliament?

Answer 16

It fails to offer diversity of input and rigorous scrutiny for effective law making

Question 17

True or False: Good MPs can represent their constituents regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or gender.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The Lords have an average age of ______.

Answer 18

71 years

Question 19

What does it mean when MPs are said to fail to gain a quorum?

Answer 19

They cannot gather the required number of MPs (40) for a vote

Question 20

What is the implication of MPs being at odds with their constituency over Brexit?

Answer 20

It highlights a disconnect between MPs and the views of their constituents

Question 21

What is the significance of the 2024 election regarding independent MPs?

Answer 21

6 MPs were elected as independents, primarily as protest votes

Question 22

What is the role of Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords?

Answer 22

They are bishops appointed to the House of Lords

Question 23

What is the implication of having only 9.8% of MPs openly LGBT+?

Answer 23

It reflects the representation of sexual orientation within Parliament

Question 24

What is the average percentage of university graduates among MPs?

Answer 24

90%

Question 25

What is one reason supporting the claim that a more descriptive parliament is more effective?

Answer 25

It can better empathize with the issues facing diverse communities

Question 26

What is a drawback of the Delegate Model?

Answer 26

It may undermine MPs' own judgment in decision-making

Question 27

What is the significance of the 20 MPs under 30 years of age?

Answer 27

It indicates a younger demographic representation in Parliament

Question 29

What is the minimum age requirement to be an MP?

Answer 29

18 years of age

Question 30

What citizenship status is required to become an MP?

Answer 30

British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen (with indefinite leave to remain)

Question 31

What is one way a candidate cannot be selected as an MP?

Answer 31

A member of the police, armed forces, civil service or a judge

Question 32

What is a bill proposed by a backbencher called?

Answer 32

Private Member's Bill

Question 33

What is the term for a vote called in the House that involves walking through lobbies?

Answer 33

Division

Question 34

What is a government-set vote to determine the timetable of their bill called after the 2nd reading?

Answer 34

Whip vote

Question 35

What is the process called when a bill goes back and forth between the two houses in Parliament?

Answer 35

Ping pong

Question 36

What type of legislation is made by a minister under powers conferred by an Act of Parliament?

Answer 36

Secondary legislation

Question 37

What is the Monarch's formal approval to a bill called?

Answer 37

Royal Assent

Question 38

What is the name of a bill that involves taxation or spending?

Answer 38

Money Bill

Question 39

What is the committee of around 20 MPs who review legislation line by line called?

Answer 39

Public Bill Committee

Question 40

What is one of the criteria for selecting a Lord?

Answer 40

Fair

Question 41

What is a 'Top Up' appointment in the context of Lords selection?

Answer 41

Nominated by a party to increase their membership in the Lords

Question 42

What are Dissolution Honours?

Answer 42

Nominations of outgoing MPs to the Lords prior to a general election

Question 43

What is the role of the House of Lords Appointments Commission?

Answer 43

Advise the PM on the suitability of nominations

Question 44

What must happen to the PM's recommendations for appointments?

Answer 44

Submitted to the King for confirmation

Question 45

How are hereditary peers replaced?

Answer 45

By-election within their own party group of hereditary peers

Question 46

What is the established act for Life peers?

Answer 46

Life Peerages Act 1958

Question 47

How many bishops are automatically given peerages as Lords Spiritual?

Answer 47

24 bishops + the Archbishop of Canterbury and York

Question 48

Name one of the three people who cannot become MPs.

Answer 48

Subject to bankruptcy

Question 49

List three ways in which a Lord might be chosen.

Answer 49

- Direct ministerial appointment - 'Top Up' appointment - Dissolution Honours

Question 50

List three reasons why the Lords selection process may be considered ineffective.

Answer 50

- Vulnerable to outside influence - Lacks transparency - Limited public engagement

Question 51

True or False: The PM can overrule the House of Lords Appointments Commission's advice.

Answer 51

True

Question 53

Who was ennobled by PM Rishi Sunak in November 2023?

Answer 53

Baron Cameron of Chipping Norton ## Footnote Cameron’s appointment was expedited by HOLAC, with much of the inquiry completed before his appointment.

Question 54

What significant milestone did Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge achieve when appointed to the Lords?

Answer 54

Became the youngest ever life peer appointment to the Lords at the age of 30 ## Footnote Her appointment faced criticism due to her limited government experience.

Question 55

What was HOLAC's stance on Baron Cruddas of Shoreditch's nomination?

Answer 55

HOLAC advised against supporting his nomination ## Footnote Boris Johnson rejected this advice and pushed the appointment forward regardless.

Question 56

What is Baron Tarassenko of Headington's professional background?

Answer 56

Professor of Engineering Science at Oxford University ## Footnote He joined the crossbenches as a non-party political peer in 2024.

Question 57

Who is Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon and what is her connection to a significant event?

Answer 57

Mother to Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993 ## Footnote She founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and was made a life peer in 2013 at Ed Miliband's request.

Question 58

What age was Baroness Smith of Llanfaes when she received her life peerage?

Answer 58

27 years of age ## Footnote She was chosen to maintain Plaid Cymru representation in the Lords.

Question 59

True or False: Baron Cruddas of Shoreditch was appointed despite HOLAC's recommendation.

Answer 59

True ## Footnote His appointment was pushed forward by Boris Johnson despite HOLAC's advice.

Question 60

Fill in the blank: Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge was appointed to the Lords as an aide to _______.

Answer 60

Johnson ## Footnote Her limited experience in government was a point of criticism.

Question 61

What is the significance of Baron Tarassenko's contributions?

Answer 61

Contributions to debates on large language models and higher education funding ## Footnote His expertise as a professor informs his participation in these discussions.