Functions of parliament

3 key functions

scrutiny, legislation and debate

percentage of women in parliament post 2024 election

40%

percentage of ethnic minorities in parliament post 2024 election

14%

average age in parliament

48

how can parliament scrutinise govt?

urgent questions, ministerial questions, PMQ’s, select committees

roles of a backbench MP

represent views of constituents in parliament, represent their party, run constituency surgeries

two types of representation types

trustee model -makes decisions regardless of the consituents’’ wishes

delegate model - makes decisions based on the wishes of the constituency

why do MPs not always accurately represent their constituency?

the whip

parliamentary privilege

principle that MPs and peers have free speech within Westminster and cannot be sued

roles of backbenchers in the legislative process

raise issues affecting constituency, attend debates, vote of laws, can be part of backbench business committee