Efficacy of functions of the HoC - representation

Groups they represent

• Regional

• Political

• Social

Regional - explanation

• MPs are a voice for their constituents in plmt

Effective - constituents

• Hold surgeries

• Lobby ministers on their behalf and join local campaigns

• Raise grievances

Ineffective - influence of the electoral system

• FPTP distorts the representation of parties

Ineffective - conflict of priorities

• Constituency demands and personal beliefs conflict with national priorities, leading to accusations of bias

• Constituency interests can counter govt policies

  • Fracking

  • Gay marriage (Nikki Morgan)

  • Green energy (Adrian Ramsay)

• Whips usually allow MPs to put constituency matters before party allegiance, but party whips and party loyalty are an uncertain force

Effective - party whips

• Ensure coherent governance and implementations of manifesto policies

Effective - 2024 Lab cabinet

• 2024 - Labour cabinet most comprehensively educated

• 12 of 26 positions held by women

Effective - debates

• Increased diversity in Plmt broadens debate perspectives

Ineffective - underrepresentation

• Lots of groups underrepresented in public bodies

  • HoL and HoC still dominated by straight, privately educated, old, m/c, white men

% EM MPs

• 2024 - 13%

• 2019 - 10%

% female MPs

40.5%

Median age of MPs

• 46

• Youngest in over half a century 

Youngest MP

• Sam Carling

  • Biomedical scientist

• First MP born in the 21st century

Collisions of loyalties - Adrian Ramsey (Green)

• Constituency vs party

• Opposed the National Grid’s plans to construct pylons in East Anglia to transport energy from offshore wind farms

  • This is great for the Green party’s support for renewable energy infrastructure but not good for his constituency as it has a big impact on the local landscape

Collisions of loyalties - Lisa Nandy, Caroline Flint and Stephen Kinnock (Labour)

• Party vs constituency

• All voiced their leave-voting constituency’s concerns despite the Labour party having a Remain stance

Collisions of loyalties - Rushanara Ali, Zarah Sultana (Labour)

• Party vs constituency

• Both voiced their Muslim-majority constituency concerns regarding the conflict in Gaza despite this going against the Labour party’s official position on the matter

Collisions of loyalties - Sir David Amess (Conservative)

• Personal vs party

• Supported positions such as the opposition to abortion and euthanasia due to his religious convictions, which sometimes put him at odds with more progressive members of his party