How Parliament interacts with the executive

• What is the purpose of parliamentary privilege?

  Enables MPs and peers to debate freely
• What is a concern regarding parliamentary privilege?

  Misuse to avoid legal accountability
• How does parliamentary privilege challenge the rule of law?

  It challenges equality before the law
• What are the key functions of backbenchers?

  • Scrutinize government (debates, committees)
  • Represent constituents (surgeries, events, lobbying)
  • Campaign and speak on public interest issues
• How do backbenchers vary in effectiveness?

  Some are active, others follow party lines
• What is the legislative influence of backbenchers?

  Limited legislative influence
• What is the impact of backbenchers in Parliament?

  Often behind the scenes, less visible contributions
• What is the purpose of select committees?

  Scrutinize government departments and spending
• What are the types of select committees?

  • Public Bill Committees: Temporary, focus on specific bills
  • Departmental Select Committees: Investigate government departments
  • Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Focus on spending efficiency
• What is a key feature of select committees?

  Can call witnesses like ministers and experts
• What happens to reports from select committees?

  They receive media attention
• How are chairs of select committees chosen?

  Chairs are elected
• What is a limitation of select committees?

  Cannot enforce government action
• What is the role of backbench peers in the House of Lords?

  Debate national issues and influence decisions
• Who often comprises backbench peers?

  Experienced professionals like former ministers
• What are the functions of opposition parties?

  • Hold government accountable
  • Provide an alternative vision
  • Question ministers during PMQs
  • Defend specific groups or causes
• What privilege do opposition parties have during PMQs?

  Priority questioning rights
• What methods are used to call ministers to account?

  1. Questions in Parliament
  2. Scrutiny by select committees
  3. Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs)
• How is the effectiveness of PMQs often criticized?

  Overly ritualized and less effective
• What should an effective Parliament do?

  • Hold government accountable
  • Scrutinize and improve legislation
  • Represent constituents and national interests
  • Prevent misuse of government power
• What is a debate point for the effectiveness of Parliament?

  Improved scrutiny in recent years
• What is a debate point against the effectiveness of Parliament?

  MPs' dependence on party whips
• Who are backbenchers?

  MPs or Lords without government roles
• What does "Confidence and Supply" refer to?

  Power to remove governments or approve funding
• What are select committees?

  Permanent committees scrutinizing government departments
• What are public bill committees?

  Temporary committees for specific legislation
• What is the House of Commons?

  Primary legislative chamber
• What is the House of Lords?

  Secondary chamber with advisory role
• What is the opposition in Parliament?

  Non-governing MPs or Lords