Structure and role of parliament exam questions

Explain and analyse 3 different theories of representation [9marks]

→ Point 1 : Mandate theory

• Mandate theory advocates that elected officials are primarily there to represent and carry out their party’s polices and manifesto promises

• It is the most prevalent theory as most votes in parliament are casted according to the party’s pledges rather than individuals own consciousness - reflecting the duty of party loyalty

• E.g Deselection of labour MP candidate Faiza Shaheen in 2024 after concerns regarding her social media activity and the perceived ideological misalignment with the leadership

• Her deselection enforces that the mandate theory is significant as it was rooted in the belief that she would not reflect the parties goals.

→ Point 2 Burkean/trustee model

• Theory argues that elected officials are purely free thinking representatives of their voters and are able to act in the interests of their electorate as they see fit

• However the trustee model has significantly weakened in the advent of strong party ties and the parliamentary whipping system but can be be seen in practise on some occasion

• For example Nick Boles former conservative MP represented a leave constituency but personally supported the remain campaign and voted against his own party in many Brexit votes

• Using his own judgement at the expense of the interests of his constituents and party.

→ Point 3 : Delegate model.

• This theory states that elected officials are simply mouthpieces for their constituents.

• In practise this theory is difficult to implement as MPs cannot be certain what the general will of their constituents is over any given issues and a large volume of letters or emails from constituents does not translate into the wider consensus of voters

• But there has been instances where this theory has been visible for example Stephen Lloyd promised to support Brexit in the commons if re-elected and he did.

• Against his own views and party policy he stuck to his pledge supporting Brexit- his actions demonstrate upholding the will of his constituents even if it means compromising personal and party beliefs.

Explain and anyalse three ways that select commitees could be seen as effective methods of executive scrutiny [9marks]

→ Point 1: Make up of select committees

• Select committees have the role of to ensure government and public bodies are making effective and viable decisions

• The make up of select committees can be argued to create a mechanism for effective executive scrutiny

• Secret ballots are used to elect chairs, some who hail from opposition parties for example following the 2024 election the home affairs select committee was chaired by conservative MP Karen Bradley and all members are backbenchers

• This arrangement and composition weakens the power of the whips and can lead to independently minded MPs on committees that enable them to more readily criticise government departments and minsters

→ Point 2 : Reports issued by select committees

• Select committees have the ability to issue reports that investigate the operation of government regarding certain issues

• For example reports were issued focusing on the government handling of covid 19 pandemic which found that government implemented lockdowns far too slow and that care homes were left dangerously exposed - which highlights the failings of government

• However government can ignore reports and the only requirement is that they reply within 60 days although it is estimated that 40% of recommendations are accepted and even if they aren’t they generate public awareness which experts pressure on the executive.

→ Point 3 : Select committee hearings.

• Select committees can also hold hearings and can summon witnesses to provide evidence which can include minsters, civil servants as well as private individuals

• For example as her time as foreign secretary Lizz truss was called upon by the foreign affairs committee and questioned on Afghanistan withdrawal and Ukraine policy particularly intelligence failures and evacuation planning - holding the different factions of the executive accountable

• The PM is also called upon by the Liaison committee usually twice to be questioned on broad themes facing the government - ability to interrogate the leader of government in depth

• E.g 2026 one

Parliament is increasingly able to scrutinise and the check the government. Analyse and evaluate this statement [25marks]

→ Introduction

• One of parliaments primary functions is to check and scrutinise government through questioning its actions and dissecting its legislative agenda

• It can be argued that the ability of parliament to do so has increased due to a variety of different factors including backbench rebellions and the role select committees

→ Point 1: Back bench rebellions

• The number and magnitude of backbench rebellions has increased significantly over recent times and these can be particularly effective at checking the governments policy plans

• For example in 2004 Blairs government introduced the higher education bill which proposed raising tuition fees which proved to be highly controversial within labours own ranks

• 72 labour MPs rebelled against the government - the highest rebellion faced by a post war labour government → such rebellion was a result of the legislation contradicting labours traditional agenda of expanding access and is a prime example of how party division can expose the governing party to a ruthless check and result in concessions - a large majority does not guarantee executive control

• But the bill still passed by a narrow margin and highlighting the shortcomings of backbench rebellion

→ Point 2: Select committees

• Select committees are able to hold government and its constituent departments accountable by questioning the efficiency and integrity of their actions , thus acting as viable mechanism of scrutiny

• Select committee chairs are chosen by secret ballots and can sometimes hail from the opposition such as Karen Bradley who is the conservative chair of the home affairs committee and the committee consists of only backbench MPs - this insulates the committee from invasive political influence and weakens the whip system allowing it to more readily criticise government.

• Select committees can launch investigations and summon Ministers and civil servants to hearings for example in his interrogation by the health and social care select committee Dominic cummings releveled the chaos surrounding government during the pandemic , claiming that health secretary Hancock lied and Johnson initially dismissed the severity of covid 19

• Exposes the failings of the executive when handling a national emergency and generates media attention which further exerts pressure on the executive

• However it is significant to consider the impact of these hearing as answers can be evasive and civil servants in particular are constrained by osmotherly rules of what they can say or critique and the committee can not force the executive to act

→. Point 3: Emergency debates

• MPs can call for emergency debates on matters requiring urgent consideration

• Granted at the speakers discretion

• E.g Emergency debate was initiated by Labour MP Diana Johnson regarding patients being given contaminated blood samples during transfusions

• Debate was called due to the governments refusal to act on the issue

• Ina rare instance , downing street announced a full public inquiry just hours before the debate was set to begin

• The mere threat of an emergency debate can force the government into action to avoid being defeated or embarrassed on the floor of the house

• However the speaker only permits a few emergency debates e.g in 2024 the snp was not allowed to hold one for the conflict in gaza.

Explain and analyse 3 reason for reforming the house of lords

Explain and 3 reasons agasint reforming the hosue of lords

Explain and analyse 3 key positions in parliament

Explain and and analyse 3 functions of parlaimet

• Legislative

• Representative

• Scrutiny

How well does parliament perform its representaion role

How effective are PMQS

Disadvantages an dadvantages of public bill commmitees

How effective are selct comitee in scrutinising and influencing the executive

Strengths and weakness of the opposition

Does the executive dominate parliament

Explain and analyse 3 ways in which the opposition can challenge government