what is parliament

Question 1

describe the Legislature (parliament)

Answer 1

• The body responsible for making, amending, and scrutinising laws
• House of Commons and House of Lords
• debates and passes legislation
• holds government to account through debates, questions, and committees
• MPs are elected (commons) or appointed/ hereditary (lords)

Question 2

describe the Executive (government)

Answer 2

• the body responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and policies
• cabinet and government departments
• develops policies and proposes legislation
• accountable to parliament, particularly the House of Commons
• The Prime Minister is appointed by the sovereign, usually as the leader of the majority party in commons

Question 3

what are the advantages of having a ‘fused’ system

Answer 3

• efficient decision making
• strong accountability
• closer cooperation
• democratic mandate
• flexibility

Question 4

disadvantages of having a ‘fused’ system

Answer 4

• potential for executive dominance
• limited separation of powers
• weaker checks and balances
• risk of partisan bias
• instability in minority governments

Question 5

what is a ‘fused’ system

Answer 5

a system where the powers of different branches of government, particularly the executive and legislative, are intermingled or combined.

Question 6

what is a bicameral system

Answer 6

A bicameral system in government refers to a legislative body divided into two separate chambers or houses. Both chambers must agree on legislation before it becomes law, acting as a check and balance on each other. (E.g. House of Commons and House of Lords)

Question 7

how does someone get into the House of Lords

Answer 7

• Life Peers
• Hereditary Peers
• Bishops

Question 8

how does someone get into the House of Commons

Answer 8

• joining a political party or standing as an independent
• selection as a candidate (party members go through an internal selection process)
• standing for election (General Election, By-Election)

Question 9

key features of the House of Commons

Answer 9

• 650 MPs
• Leadership (Speaker, PM, Leader of the opposition)
• proposes debates, amends, and votes on laws
• holds government accountable through PMQs
• MP represent their constituency
• has primary authority over HoL as HoC is democratically elected

Question 10

Key features of the House of Lords

Answer 10

• Life peers (no limit)
• hereditary peers (92 members)
• bishops (26 members)
• revises, amends, and debates bills passed by Commons
• cannot veto bills permanently but can suggest amendments
• life peers - appointed by the monarch
• hereditary peers - elected internally
• bishops - held automatically by position
• doesn’t challenge HoC supremacy
• Members not bound by constituents or political pressures, allowing them to focus on long-term issues and provide non-partisan insights