Evaluate The View That Parliament Holds The Government To Account Effectively. (30)

Select Committees can hold the govt to account effectively. Since the Wright Reforms Select Committees are more independent of the government

CON backbencher Caroline Nokes was the chair of the Women and Equalities Committee between 2020-24 and consistently criticised the government including in relation to its plans to house asylum seekers in barracks.

In March 2023, the Privileges Select Committee scrutinised former PM Johnson over his involvement in the ‘Partygate’ scandal.

DISAGREE 1

Select committees’ powers are limited they can scrutinise and produce detailed reports but their recommendations are not legally binding.

govt accepts about 40% of Select Committee recommendations

in Oct 2025, the Transport Select Committee called for significant govt action to reverse the decline in bus services, with extensive evidence on the socio-economic impact. Govt rejected the majority of recommendations.

AGREE 2

PMQs enables the leader of the opposition, the leader of the third largest party and backbenchers to direct questions at the PM every week

In May 2024 Starmer used his first few questions in PMQs to effectively scrutinise the Safety of Rwanda Bill which he called a ‘gimmick’ rather than an effective policy.

Harmed CON party image.

DISAGREE 2

When the government has a large majority, it can make it difficult to scrutinise government policy effectively as governing party MPs are expected to support leadership due to the whip system.

Blair only lost 4 votes throughout his 10 years as PM and none in his first 8 years.

AGREE 3

Governments are regularly defeated in the HoL

Boris Johnson was defeated only 4 times in the HoC but 243 in the HoL.

DISAGREE 3

HoL powers have been significantly limited by the parliament act and the Salisbury convention

Salisbury convention means that the Lords shouldn’t block any bill that is mentioned in the governments manifesto.

The parliament acts reduced how long the lords can delay legislation they can only delay legislation for 1 year.

The Sexual Offences Act 2000 was passed despite opposition from the lords