Parliament

Parliament

Legislative Body in UK,that’s ultimate sovereign powers mean legislation by other bodies needs Parliaments Permission, it also debates public matters and concerns

Parliaments Relation to Government

Chooses, Removes and funds Government as well as holding it account.

How does Parliament fund Gov

By Voting on taxation

House of Commons

• Elected Branch of Parliament

• Consists of 650 MPS who represent constituencies

• Split in Half (Left is government + Right is Opposition)

• Opposition Scrutinise in PMQ, Debates and Committees

House of Lords

• Unelected Branch

• Consists of 780 Lords (Hereditary+ life Peers + bishop)

• Amends as well as scrutinises Legislation

• Life Peers are appointed on Experiences Hereditary aren’t

Primary Legislation vs Secondary Legislation

Salisbury convention

The House of Lords should not block or vote down government bills that were clearly promised in the governing party's election manifesto

Role of Party Whips

• Maintain party discipline

• Organise how MPs vote (via whip system)

• Ensure attendance during votes

• Act as link between party leadership and backbenchers

• Offer rewards or impose punishments to enforce loyalty

• Monitor potential rebellions

Role of Opposition

• Hold the government to account through questioning and debate

• Scrutinise legislation and propose amendments

• Offer a clear alternative to government policies

• Prepare to form an alternative government

• Lead on Select Committees (e.g., Chair of Public Accounts Committee is from the opposition)

Liaison Committee

• Consist of all the head chairs of select committees

• 3 yearly Private meeting between them and PM to ask questions for 90min at a time, this is more deeper scrutiny and less partisan than PMQ

• Coordinates the work of select committees

• Chooses subjects for debate in the House of Commons

Select Committee

• Consists of backbencher MPs and Lords

• They question and scrutinise department work

• Examine Policy and produce detailed reports with improvements

• Play a key role in holding executive account

PMQ

• 30Min session every week on a Wednesday at 12PM

• PM answers questions from opposition leader and MPs

• Recorded and live streamed for public to watch

Advantage of PMQ

• Form of scrutiny towards executive

• Pressures PM by exposing mistakes to press/public

• Includes backbencher who voice local/national issue

• PM answers quickly and doesn’t know questions

Disadvantage of PMQ

• Often MPs use it to selfishly promote rather than scrutinise

• Whips can persuade party members to ask question that show off PM’s work, wasting a possible question

• PM often gives vague/dodged answers

Backbencher MPs

• MPs or peers who don’t make up part of Government or opposition

• Represent their constituents and raise local/national issue

• speak in debates, ask questions, and sit on committees

• Play a key role in holding Gov account

Strength of Backbenchers

• Backbenchers chair and sit on committees that scrutinise government

• Occasionally introduce successful legislation (e.g. Autism Act 2009)

• Can use PMQs to raise issues (Marcus Rashford free school meals campaign)

• represent local concerns effectively and bring them to national attention.

Weakness of Backbenchers

• Party whips control votes

• Most Private Members’ Bills fail without government support

• Strong executive control can limit backbencher influence

Example of Backbenchers being effective

In 2019, 21 Conservative ____________ voted against Boris Johnson to prevent a no-deal Brexit, their rebellion led to the “Benn Act”, forcing Johnson to seek an extension

Example of Backbenchers being inneffective

In large Majorities such as Boris Johnson Gov backbench rebellion rarely changed policy. Example being the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 which despite backbench concerns was passed.

Example of Scrutiny through select Committees

Phone Hacking Scandal (2011)

• News of the World newspaper was accused of hacking into the voicemails of celebrities and politicians

• Select Committees got involved to scrutinise the media, police and governments role in the scandal and hold them accountable

• lead to “Leveson Inquiry” which was a public inquiry into press standards

Example of scrutiny through Opposition

Starmer Vs Johnson -Covid Response

• During PMQ’s over Covid pandemic Starmer frequently scrutinized Johnsons handling of the crisis over topics such as..

• Timing of Lockdown

• Test and Trace Failures

• Clarity of public messaging

Example of scrutiny through PMQ’s

Starmer’s proposed £5 Billion cuts to disability benefits

• During PMQ Kier was questioned by opposition MPs and some labour members over the cuts as it raised ethical concerns towards the treatment of vulnerable minorities

• Although Starmer defended the proposal the intense scrutiny from PMQ highlighted his governments challenges

Example of positive Life peer appointment

Doreen Lawrence

• Her son was murdered in a racist attack

• Doreen tireless campaign lead to significant reforms in police and crtiminal justice systems

• She also founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust which foucused on helping less fortunate young minds achieve their full potential

• Her contribution towards social justice lead to her appointment