UK Gov Unit 2 - UK Parliament

parliament

the legislative branch. consists of the Commons and the Lords

parliaments are different from presidential systems because the executive and legislative are fused - the PM comes from the legislature and is accountable to them through votes of no confidence

parliament and government are two different things!!

3 jobs:

• legislate

• scrutinise legislation and the work of government

• represent views

house of commons

house of lords

confidence and supply

salisbury convention

parliamentary privilege

public bill committees

backbenchers

government backbenchers help the government pass legislation. when they rebel on whipped votes, the whip is often removed. abstentions from votes are a sort of ‘soft' rebellion that don’t directly undermine the gov but still send a message

opposition backbenchers tend to criticise very specific legislation relative to their constituent and personal interests, and support their leader with interventions adding information.

select committees

His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition

liaison committee

private member’s bill

ballot bill

10 min bill

government/public bill

hybrid bill

private bill

urgent questions

the speaker and their roles

ping pong

secondary legislation/Henry VIII powers

humble address

the legislative process

Wright reforms

whips

whips ensure that backbenchers are voting with the government and are aligned on policy and procedure.

they work with the whips of other parties to arrange house business

three-line whips: attendance to the vote is mandatory and you must vote for the gov - expulsion from the party as a punishment

one and two line whips also exist