UK Parliament Flashcards
How many MPs are in the House of Commons?
650
What is the speaker?
A party-neutral officer elected by the Commons to preside over debates and rule on parliamentary rules and procedures
What are party whips?
Party members responsible for enforcing discipline, especially on backbenchers
How many hereditary peers are there in the House of Lords?
92
Which act reduced the number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords and when was it passed?
The Lords Act 1999
What are the 3 roles of parliament?
- Make laws
- Represent the people
- Scrutinise the government
Which 2 things make parliament effective at making laws?
- Uncodified constitution
- Parliamentary sovereignty
Which 3 things make parliament ineffective at making laws?
- Lack of consideration for private members’ bills
- Government majorities
- Lords delaying power
Which 2 things make parliament effective at representing the people?
- Elected Commons
- MP-constituency link
Which 2 things make parliament ineffective at representing the people?
- Unelected Lords
- FPTP not proportional
Which 3 things make parliament effective at scrutinising the government?
- PMQs
- Select and public bill committees
- Opposition days
Which 2 things make parliament ineffective at scrutinising the government?
- Party whips and government majority
- Limited committee power
What are the 4 main arguments for the Commons being more powerful than the Lords?
- Lords can only delay bills for up to a year
- Commons are elected and have political legitimacy
- No confidence option in Commons
- Lords not to interfere with manifesto pledges
What are the 3 main arguments for the Lords being powerful?
- 1-year delay power often effective
- Specialist knowledge
- Government dominates Commons
