Powers of Commons + Lords

• What is the supreme legislative power in the UK Parliament?

  The Commons
• What can the House of Commons do that the House of Lords cannot?

  Vote down legislation
• What does 'confidence and supply' refer to in the Commons?

  Government's confidence from the Commons
• What happens if the government is defeated on a motion of confidence?

  The government would step down
• How long can the House of Lords delay bills passed by the Commons?

  Up to one year
• What type of bills cannot be delayed by the House of Lords?

  Money bills
• What is protected under the Salisbury Convention?

  Bills outlined in the governing party's manifesto
• Why can the Commons be considered more powerful than the Lords?

  Commons can vote down legislation
• What happened in 2017 regarding the Article 50 bill?

  The Lords attempted to add amendments
• What is a vote of no confidence?

  A motion to remove the government
• How has the independence of MPs changed over time?

  They are more independently-minded now
• Why is the Commons considered democratically legitimate?

  They have a right to challenge government
• What are PMQs used for?

  To scrutinise the government
• How does party control differ between the Commons and the Lords?

  Party control is weaker in the Lords
• What advantage does the Lords have in scrutinising legislation?

  More expertise and specialist knowledge
• How do peers in the Lords contribute to its legitimacy?

  They represent different groups in society
• What is a criticism of PMQs in the Commons?

  They are ineffective at challenging government
• Why does the government tend to dominate the Commons?

  Usually has a majority in the Commons
• What are the arguments for and against the House of Lords scrutinising the government more effectively than the Commons?

  For:

  • Weaker party control in the Lords
  • More political balance in the Lords
  • Greater expertise and specialist knowledge

  
  

  Against:

  • Lords can only delay bills
  • Commons can vote down legislation
  • Commons has a vote of no confidence option
• What should be included in an evaluation of the House of Lords' scrutiny effectiveness?

  Party Control, Dominance, Specialist Knowledge