who matters most in parliament Flashcards
(19 cards)
describe the Prime Minister (PM)
- Head of government and leader of the majority party.
- Oversees the running of the government and represents the UK internationally.
- Appoints Cabinet ministers and coordinates policy across departments.
describe the Speaker of the House of Commons
- Presides over debates and maintains order.
- Must remain politically impartial.
- Decides who may speak and ensures parliamentary rules are followed.
Describe Members of Parliament (MPs)
- Elected representatives of constituencies.
- Debate and vote on legislation.
- Hold the government to account through questions and committees.
Describe the Leader of the Opposition
- Heads the largest political party not in government.
- Challenges the government’s policies and offers alternatives.
- Appoints a “Shadow Cabinet” to mirror government roles.
Describe Cabinet Ministers
- Senior MPs chosen by the PM to lead government departments (e.g., Health, Defence).
- Propose new laws and manage public services.
Describe Whips
- Party officials who enforce discipline and ensure MPs vote in line with party policy.
- Help manage the legislative agenda.
Describe Government Frontbenchers
These are ministers and junior ministers from the ruling party.
They include:
- The Prime Minister
- Cabinet Ministers (e.g., Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary)
- Ministers of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries
They are responsible for running government departments and proposing legislation.
Describe Opposition Frontbenchers
- These are members of the main opposition party who shadow government ministers.
- Led by the Leader of the Opposition
- Each has a role mirroring a government counterpart (e.g., Shadow Chancellor, Shadow Home Secretary).
- Their job is to scrutinize, challenge, and offer alternatives to government policies.
what is a backbench MP
A Backbench MP is a Member of Parliament who does not have a big leadership role in the government or opposition.
what do backbench MPs do
- Speak up for the people in their local area (called a constituency).
- Ask questions in Parliament and take part in debates.
- Check what the government is doing to make sure it’s fair and working well.
- Suggest new ideas or laws, even if they don’t often become real laws.
- Sit behind the main leaders in the House of Commons – that’s why they’re called “backbenchers.”
what are Select Committees
A Select Committee is a small group of MPs (or Lords) who look closely at what the government is doing.
what do Select Committees do
Check Government Work
- Each committee watches over one part of the government, like health or education.
Ask Questions
- They talk to experts, ministers, and the public to find out what’s going on.
Write Reports
- They write down what they’ve learned and give advice on how things can be better.
Hold Government Accountable
- They help make sure the government is doing its job properly and not wasting money.
examples of Select Committees
- Health Committee – checks the NHS and hospitals.
- Education Committee – looks at schools and learning.
- Money Committee (Public Accounts) – checks how money is spent.
what is a Public Bill Committee
A Public Bill Committee is a small group of MPs who look closely at a new law (called a bill) before it becomes official.
what do Public Bill Committees do
Check New Laws
- After a bill is introduced, this group reads it carefully line by line.
Make Changes
- They can suggest changes (called amendments) to make the bill better or clearer.
Hear Ideas
- Sometimes they listen to experts or the public to help decide what should be in the bill.
Report Back
- When they finish, they report their changes to Parliament, and MPs then vote on the updated bill.
Examples of Public Bill Committees
If the government wants a new law about internet safety, a Public Bill Committee would be set up to study that specific bill.
what is a lords committee
A Lords Committee is a small group of members of the House of Lords who look closely at important issues or laws.
what do lords committees do
Study Big Issues
- They look into topics like the economy, the environment, or science.
Check Laws
- Some Lords Committees also help examine new laws to make sure they are clear and fair.
Ask Questions
- They speak to experts, organisations, and the public to get the best information.
Write Reports
- They explain what they found and give advice to help the government make better decisions.
examples of Lords Committees
- Science and Technology Committee – looks at how science affects the UK.
- Economic Affairs Committee – checks how the economy and money are managed.
- Constitution Committee – makes sure new laws follow the UK’s rules and rights.
