structures and processes in parliament

• what does the prime minister do?

  head of government and responsible for leading the executive branch
• what does the speaker do in parliament?

  monitors behaviour and presides over debates to maintain order
• what does the leader of the house of commons do?

  managing the governments legislative agenda
• what do whips do?

  they make sure MPs vote in line with what the party wants
• what are front benchers?

  either members of government or shadow government
• what are back benchers?

  MPs who aren’t in government or shadow government
• what is the official opposition?

  the party with the second largest number of seats in the legislative
• what are the functions of parliament?

  • legislative
  • representative
  • scrutiny
  • deliberative
• what is the difference between a white and green paper in palriament?

  a white paper is a proposed bill and a green paper is the final copy
• what have the developments in parliament been?

  • extensions in the franchise
  • balance of power between HOC and HOL
  • diversity
  • the work of committees
  • become more transparent ->with media
  • devolution