structure and role of house of commons and lords

What are the origins of the house of lords?

1066- establishment of Norman rule after battle of Hastings where a king would rule alongside a royal council

1215- this arrangement became firmly established by magna carta- forced king to call on royal council on regular basis and could not introduce taxes without its permission

What are the origins of the house of commons

Edward 1- 1272 commons became to establish itself. Summoned it regularly and during the next 200 years it developed three main functions.

-To advise the king on proposed legislature

-To receive and deliver petitions from people with grievances with authority

-To grant permission for the king to levy new taxes

16th century- Henry VIII- legitimacy of commons grew as it played a critical role in establishing royal supremacy over the church and granted henry his new power

What are the origins of parliamentary sovereignty?

1688- glorious revolution established dominance of parliamentary sovereignty over the monarch as James II was ousted in favour of the protestant William III, who, as a part of the deal must adhere to the bill of rights establishing parliamentary supremacy

Explain a parliamentary government and its origins?

Parliament holds all power and therefore effectively the governing body of the UK. Elections evolved and were finally regularised in the 1832 great reform act- the franchise was increasingly expanded to all adults. This led to individual MPs to start grouping into political alliances and then political parties who would then campaign to get control of parliament and form a government

Explain the fusion of power

Parliament is sovereign and is the heart of government there has become a fusion of power between gov and parliament.

Explain loss of confidence origins?

• gov accountable to parliament

• Gov present proposals to parliament for scrutiny and accountability

• 1979- gov deemed not to have confidence of parliament, parliament has power to remove authority to govern

• Through vote of no confidence

Explain the shifting of power from lords to commons

Established over the last 200 years. Fight for the vote lent greater legitimacy to the house of commons than to unelected house of lords. Greater legitimacy = greater demand for the commons to become the senior house and lords to become the secondary house.

How did the demand for house of commons to be the senior house arise?

-1906-1912 lords blocked peoples budget so an election was called to decide outcome in 1911

• liberal government was successful and followed up w radical proposals

• To remove the right of lords to block money bills and give the house of commons a veto over lords rejection.

Which act allowed the commons to pass legislation without the support of lords?

Parliament act of 1911

Is it possible for a PM to be from the house o lords?

Last PM was Marquis of Salisbury. Still possible, but unlikely.

1940s deemed more appropriate for winston churchill to become PM rather than lord Halifax

Can hereditary peers give up their peerage in order to take a seat in the house of commons

1963 peerages act- allowed Alec Douglas Home to become new PM in 1963 and saw tony benn move from lords to common s

What is the rough makeup of the house of commons

650 MPS representing constituencies roughly of equal size- 80,000 people.

533 english

59 Scottish

40 Welsh

18 Northern Irish

How do you vote in the house of commons?

Done by MPs by physically walking through one of two lobbies- the no lobby and the aye lobby. All MPs who wish to register their vote must do this (even PM)

Explain the rough makeup of the house of lords

Over 800 members making it the largest legislative body outside the Chinese communist party. Vast majority are appointed life peers but there remains 92 hereditary peers

How does voting work in the house of lords

Same as commons

How are lords chosen.

Since 1999 house of lords, no one party has majority in the house of lords. This is due to a significant number of non political appointments. They have been chosen due to their knowledge and expertise in a specific field

What is the role of the speaker in the house of commons?

Lindsay hoyle does not represent any political party.

Responsible for conduction MPs and government monitoring debate

What are the strengths of the house of commons

Role of opposition- scrutinse, shadow government

Government in waiting

Whips- serve purpose as maintaining discipline- crucial for maintaining party unity

Speaker- provides control and impartial guidance

What are weaknesses of house of commons

Dependent of the effectiveness of the leader of opposition

Weak leaders- ed miliband, Jeremy corbyn

Weakens the role of the opposition to scrutinise

Size of majority 2017-2019- non-existent- opposition could be effective

2019-2022- tories had majority of 80 making it harder for the opposition

Mps seen as lobby fodder

Impartiality of the speaker- party loyalty, issues such as brexit

What is the two house system called and what is its role?

Bicameral and is designed to ensure a balance of power between two houses

What is the role of opposition parties backbenchers

Made up of MPs who are not in shadow cabinet - multiple parties

What is the role of opposition frontbenchers?

Made up of shadow cabinet- lead by the lead of opposition

What is the role of the Whips

Keep discipline in the parties

being in a parliamentary party requires to take the party whip

What is the roll of the government frontbenchers?

Pay roll vote 100-120 MPs will be on the front bench.

Cabinet minister

Junior minister

What is the role of the governing party backbenchers?

Mps who are elected for the governing policy but not sit in government

Give an example of the speaker using his powers?

2022 leader of SNP Ian Blackford was suspended by speaker for claiming that the PM had been wilfully misleading parliament over lockdown parties held in downing street

Accused another MP of lying!

Give an example of party whip being removed?

2019- 21 tory members had whip withdrawn for supporting house of commons taking control of EU negotiations

The whips are important when a government has a small majority or is trying to survive without parliamentary majority- callaghan government

Also play a large role when governments have majority- 2022 labour amendment to ban fracking was put forward as it was unpopular with constituents. To prevent tories from voting for amendment- vote was made three line whip and confidence motion on the government- this became complicated however, led to MPs threatening to resign

What is the role of the leader of the opposition

To ensure that government is thoroughly scrutinised, whilst convincing public that the official opposition is an alternative government in waiting

Also given the right to ask 6 questions at PMQs enables them to put high profile pressure on PM by highlighting failures on policy and offering their own solutions. Also selects shadow cabinet.