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UK government Flashcards

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1
Q

Reasons why the constitution is reformed

A

modernisation
decentralisation
democratisation
strengthening citizens rights
clarity and transparency

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2
Q

Evidence of the role of passing legislation being carried out effectively

A

Governments with large majorities basically control the commons
Blairs govt didn’t lose a commons vote (1997-2005)

The lords can only delay up to a year- they cant veto legislation

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3
Q

Powers of the core executive

A

the powers of the PM come from the royal prerogative

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4
Q

Patronage

A

Power of the PM to appoint ministers as a result of loyalty or support

way of rewarding MPs on their side

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5
Q

evidence of PMs using the Royal Prerogative powers

A

Cameron’s air strikes during Libyan civil war in 2011

Tony Blair supported invasion of Iraq in 2003

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6
Q

terrorism Act 2006

A

Increased number of days a suspected terrorist can be detained without trial

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7
Q

Quasi

A

used to describe devolution

means ‘resembling’

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8
Q

arguments for Further HOL reforms

A

-To improve Democratic Legitimacy
-Reducing membership
-HOL is expensive
-HOL doesnt have enough power to check the government

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9
Q

Strengths of select committees

A

40% of committee recommendations become policy
Quality of legislation will be high

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10
Q

Weaknesses of select committees

A

Quality of legislation depends on how briefed the MPs are
No legal obligation to attending
Only certain amounts of legislation can be covered

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11
Q

Why is the UK’s constitution flexible

A

If const law is not see as higher law It means changed can be made more quickly and adapt to an ever changing world

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12
Q

HOC overview

A

650 constituencies, 650 Members

Each constituency will be represented by the candidate with the most votes in the constituency

Party with the most MPs make government

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13
Q

Confidence and Supply agreement

A

An agreement where a party or independent MPs will support the government with its vote

May with DUP in 2017

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14
Q

Arguments against terrorism laws

A

-Too much power in hands of state
-Undermines HRA and civil liberties
-alienates minority groups

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15
Q

3 things civil servants work under

A

neutrality- Must be neutral politically

anonymity- can’t get involved with the media

permanence- Job no matter what party is in power

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16
Q

Royal prerogative powers examples

A

-commander in chief of the army
-signing of international treaties
-cabinet reshuffles
-appointments
-controlling the civil service

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17
Q

Arguments for devolution

A

peace in N.I. has held
Support for it in all 3 countries
has decentralised power
improves democracy
sense of britishness/unity

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18
Q

Impacts on relationship between PM and Cab

A

> what executive model the PM chooses
Management + leadership skills of the PM
development of the PM’s office and Cab office
size of Govt majority
global events

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19
Q

Key components of the core executive

A

PM
PM office
Cabinet
Cabinet office
SPADS
civil servants

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20
Q

Roles of parliament

A

-provide political legitimacy
-passing legislation
-scrutiny of the government
-Representation of the electorate
-recruitment and training of ministers

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21
Q

Backbench business committee

A

made up of backbench MPs

They decide what issues are debated in parliament

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22
Q

Arguments for + against HOL being fully elected

A

for:
achieve DL
Scrutinisation would be far better

against:
voter fatigue-more elections
Ruduce levels of expertise in the HOL
Increase in legislation gridlock

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23
Q

Arguments for a codified constituion

A
  1. authority of Supreme Court would be enhanced
  2. better understanding of the constitution
  3. Relations between branches would be clearer
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24
Q

Parliament checks and balances on PM

A

PMQs
debates
BBC
Liaison committee

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25
Select committees
cross-party group of MPs or Lords given a specific remit to investigate and report back to the house that set it up
26
Bills to do with finances
Money Bills
27
Variable factors in PM power
>PM personality and character >Strength of the cabinet >the party >size of the majority >media >current events variable factors are the reason the Pm's power fluctuates
28
Difference between primary and secondary legislation
primary legislation is an act passed by parliament Secondary legislation can make small changes to an act however, the act must say what changes can be made by secondary legislation
29
Government and opposition
Government- the party in power/that governs opposition- All MPs that aren't part of Govt Leader of the opposition is the leader of the largest party
30
legislation process
Law begins as Govt bill first reading second reading committee stage report stage third reading royal assent happens twice because it goes through both houses
31
key elements of Uk constitution
Parliamentary sovereignty rule of law Royal prerogative Unitary state-not federal uncodified party government
32
West Lothian question
Asks why MP from evolved states can vote on purely English matters, that English MPs cant vote on
33
Spatial leadership
a PM almost becoming bigger than the party, distancing themselves from it Blair and thatcher
34
populist outreach
Appealing directly to the public, claiming to be on the side of the everyday citizen
35
Evidence of not carrying out the role of passing legislation
2019-2024 conservatives made several u-turns in fear of defeat May's minority govt was defeated 28 times in 2 years May's exit deal was defeated by a 230 majority
36
HOL overview
Lords are appointed 1)688 life peers 2) 86 hereditary peers 3) 26 lords spiritual HOL is not democratically legitimate
37
Devolved bodies
Scottish parliament Welsh parliament N.I. assembly
38
How are cabinet ministers chosen
Loyalty from patronage "keep enemies close' expertise diversity
39
Key powers of the HOC
Sole right to defeat a bill Vote of no confidence Right to commit UK to military operations Right to represent the electorate Select committees only exist in commons
40
Arguments against devolution
N.I. assembly was suspended for a number of years turnout in elections to devolved assemblies has been low Scottish nationalism Lack of clarity and coherence
41
bicameralism
A system where there are 2 houses
42
HOL reform act 1999
Removed all but 92 hereditary peers largely seen as positive
43
Role of the opposition
>force govt to explain and justify policy >highlight shortcomings in the way government is running >To present alternatives to proposals and strategies >to prepare itself for the govt should it win the next election
44
Asymmetrical devolution
devolution that occurs within the UK
45
Evidence of committees carrying out the role of scrutiny ineffectively
PMQs can be a punch "Punch and Judy" show. minority of amendments come from opposition MPs PMQs are prepared by Downing Street- prepared answers
46
constitutional reform and government act 2010
ended ministers royal prerogative powers to negotiate and sign foreign treaties
47
Rule of Law
Rights of individuals are determined by legal rights No punishment unless court decides law was breached Everyone is subject to the law
48
Sofa government
Blair's tactics of talking to ministers informally outside of cabinet used by cameron too 2010-15
49
Examples of Govt bill defeat in HoL
terrorism act 2008- labour Welfare bill 2011- coalition Internal market bill 2020- conservative
50
theories of executive power
Core executive model cabinet model prime ministerial model Presidential model
51
reserved powers
Powers the government do not give to the devolved body example: military immigration the economy
52
main importance of the opposition
Primarily so the opposition has someone to lose to
53
Arguments for keeping uncodified constitution
Effective government history and tradition human rights are effectively protected no desire from the people
54
Powers of the cabinet
1) cab organises the presentation of official policy and legitimate government policy 2)they decide the policy agenda 3) doesnt have power to remove PM (but, they can refuse to support them which could force them to resign)
55
Parliamentary influence over government
Parliamentary veto PMQs, MQTs and debates The opposition
56
Ultra Vires
means "beyond the powers" it is applied when a body is thought to have acted like this
57
Judicial independence and judicial neutrality
independence: judges should be free from any pressure or influence from other branches Neutrality: judges should not be politically motivated decisions should be made from the law alone
58
Composition of the Supreme Court
12 members- but cases are heard by an odd number of justices ensure a majority verdict SC memes do not sit in HOL Senior judges cannot be removed as a result of decision. only misconduct
59
Minority government
>no political party has achieved a majority >largest party must receive support form over parties to win majority.
60
Key powers of HoL
can delay bills for up to a year More time to debate legislation greater levels of independence (not controlled by whips)
61
Strengths of PMQs
opportunity for PM to be held to account Previous PMs say it was the most difficult time of the week Urgent questions can be asked Its entertaining and on the media
62
Coalition government
>no political party has a majority >2 or more parties agree to form a government together
63
powers given to devolved bodies
Legislative: ability to pass laws in their own region Administrative: refers to power over health and education Financial: Devolved bodies get funds from central government
64
Elastic band theory
the power of a PM is determined by variable factors for example-johnsons power contracted at the start of covid because he has to rely on cabinet
65
impact of the Uk's exit from EU
Uk parliament regains all sovereignty Conservative Party divisions widened Deep divisions in Uk society DUP had disproportionate amount of power given May's minority government Increased Scottish independence calls (they voted to remain)
66
Constitutional reform Act 2005
key objective was to improve independence of judiciary introduced UK Supreme Court- increased separation of powers
67
Role of the judiciary
-Dispensing justice through sentencing -Interpreting law -Establishing case law -judicial reviews -holding public enquiries
68
Arguments for an English parliament
Would extend democracy and accountability might improve participation in politics Devolved govt could better help with issues specific to region
69
Arguments against English parliament
create a need for too many elections- voter apathy No demand for it expensive could lead to disunity
70
Miller vs a PM
2019 johnson prorogued to get Brexit deal through Miller sent to Supreme Court Supreme Court ruled that Johnson had acted ultra vires example of Supreme Court having power over parliament

Uk politics (2 decks)

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