Key Office holders

• Prime Minister

  Leader of the largest single party that nearly always has a majority therefore can control the Commons

  Legislature is dominated by the executive

  Cameron-Lib Dem and May-DUP coalitions were exceptions
• Leader of the House of Commons

  The government's business manager and ensures the Commons runs smoothly

  Ensures time is given to the executive's agenda

  Sends out business for the House
• Whips

  In charge of party discipline and ensuring MPs' loyalty
• One line whip

  MPs should vote with their party if they do vote
• Free vote

  MPs can vote how they want
• Backbenchers

  Sit on the backbenches and do not hold government positions but many hope to

  Backbenchers are growing more rebellious
• The Speaker of the House - unafilliated

  Chairs debates in the Commons and ensures a range of MPs get their voices heard and the rules of the Commons are followed and can suspend MPs for varying amounts of time if rules are broken

  Encourages debate and criticism of the government
• Tory backbench rebellions under Boris Johnson

  • Covid anti-lockdown and rule of 6
  • Curfew and fines - 42 MPs rebelled in October 2020
  • Rashford rebellions - many voted with Labour to extend free school meals
• John Major - Maastricht Rebellion 1992 /3

  Had a disproportionate effect as he had a slim majority of 18 -- 22 rebelled
• Dennis Skinner was suspended by the Speaker in 2015 for his comment of 'Dodgy Dave' and refusing to apologise
• Boris Johnson was suspended in 2019 for breaking COVID-19 rules (Partygate)
• Ian Blackfold was suspended for suggesting Boris Johnson lied about partygate
• The whip was withdrawn from 21 Tory Rebels for political disloyalty during the Brexit bill saga - 10 MPs had the whip restored but the rest either stood as independents or joined the Lib Dems (breakaway group with Labour MPs and the famous Nando's meal)
• Julian Lewis 2020 - Conservative MP accused of working with Labour and subsequently had the whip withdrawn
• Jeremy Corbyn had the whip withdrawn after refusing to take back remarks made about antisemitism in the Labour Party
• Neil Coyle had the whip withdrawn due to racist comments made to a journalist
• Neil Parish was caught watching porn in the HoC by 2 female MPs and had the whip withdrawn
• John Bercow as Speaker

  • Encouraged debate while maintaining order
  • Bullying allegations (Kate Emms) considered to be harassment
  • Challenged government - increased scrutiny
  • Made sure Backbenchers had their voices heard (Backbench Business Committee)
  • Hauled in ministers when urgent
• Sir Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker

  • Less assertive in handling disruptions
  • Made debates more accessible to the public (easier to understand)
  • More neutral than Bercow