parliament

• how many members does the house of common compromise of

  650 MP’s
• How many members does the HOL of compromise of

  800
• What is one of parliaments key functions


  To scrutinise policies, debate issues, represent the people and check the government.
• what is a referendum 


  Direct votes in which the entire electorate is invited to vote on a single political proposal
• How does parliament scrutinise the government

  1. prime Ministers Questions which is held at noon on Wednesday for half an hour.
  2. Departments select committees investigate and scrutinise actions by civil servants and ministers in each government.
  3. A vote of no confidence by the commons can bring down a government. Last one James Callaghan’s labour gov lost by just one vote
• Name in order the key stages of the legislative process

  1. First reading 2. Second reading 3. Committe stage 4. Report stage 5. Third reading 6. Consideration of amendments. Royal assent
• What is the Burkean (trustee) theory


  An MP voting according to their own conscience.
• What is the delegate theory


  MP’s viewed as mouth pieces for their constituents and entirely bound by their wishes.
• What is the mandate theory 


  MP’s are elected primarily to carry out the manifesto promises of their party
• Name the 2 key elements of parliamentary privilege

  Freedom of speech

  exclusive cognisance- the house can regulate themselves without external interference.
• Give an example of the limitations of parliamentary privilege

  MPs expenses scandal 2009 which led to the Recall of MPs act 2015. Can be recalled if sentenced to prison, or fraudulently claiming expenses.
• Example of parliamentary privilege

  MP John Hemming names Ryan Giggs as footballer embroiled in super- injunction over alleged affair.
• Give an example of non privilege

  Dennis Skinner called David Cameron Dodgy Dave during a debate and was sanctioned to leave he house unless he withdrew his comment.
• What do Whips do

  Ensure Mps attend votes, instruct how MPs should vote, keep control of the party.
• How many peers are in the HOL

  786
• Arguments for the Hol being abolished and replaced with a democratic chamber

  Not democratically elected - still 92 hereditary peers

  make them more relatable to the public

  would remove the unchecked power of the PM to nominate peers
• Arguments against the HOL being abolished and relapsed with a democratic chamber

  opportunity for grid lock if both houses had different parties in control ( like USA)

  Could jeopardise he bipartisan nature of the lords

  the knowledge of the life peers could be lost
• What is primacy 


  The fact of being the most powerful/ important
• What are the powers of the commons

  The right to insist on legislation- 1911-1949 act

  Financial privilege- bedroom tax 2012

  power to dismiss the executive- confidence motion- by gov, vote of no confidence - by opposition
• What is the Salisbury convention

  The House of Lords should vote against a bill that is enacting a government's manifesto commitment.
• A convention is not a law therefore cannot be subject to change
• Argument that select committees are effective


  Can mount pressure which can lead to resignations- Matt Hancock (2021)

  Can ask anyone to stand and request access to any documents to support the investigation including the PM.
• Arguments that select committees are not effective

  No formal power for making policy only recommendations can be put forward and can be ignored.

  Can ignore or deny being called to a committee
• What is the money bills convention

  Allows government To enact policies if it something to do with money despite the HOL objection