conflict:

conflict comes from 2 constitutional principles:

1. parliament is sovereign

2. the govt has a mandate to carry out its manifesto commitments

• means that when Parliament exercises its right of sovereignty, it is threatening the democratic legitimacy of the govt

  • >usually solved by the fact govt enjoys a majority in the HofC

elective dictatorship: if a government has a majority, then they have great power and behave almost like a dictator

limits on House of Lords:

• Parliament Act, 1911

• Parliament Act, 1949

• Salisbury Convention

controls on the executive

• govt needs to get a majority of MPs to support policy

• parliament can amend legislation to change its character and protect groups

• parliamentary rebellions have become more common (although it is still rare for the gov to lose)

• parliament could dismiss govt via a vote of no confidence

• parliament calls govt and its ministers to account. they are constantly aware errors and injustices may be exposed

• departmental select committees and backbenchers increasingly call the govt to account, esp since MPs elect the chairs

how does the executive control Parliament?

• the govt normally commands a majority

• the patronage system means the PM has control of all key appointment

  • gives them control over MPs

  • regular MP troublemakers unlikely to be promoted

• MPs dislike elections

  • MPs in governing party unlikely to do anything to cause one

  • Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2011 made this less of an issue, amended in 2019

  • party whips exercise control

  • extreme cases: MP can be suspended from their party which will damage their career

  • collective responsibility mean the govt will present a united front

  • Salisbury Convention

changing nature of the relationship:

governing with a minority

• theresa may didn’t have a majority of seats after the 2017 snap election

• most proposals have to be negotiated individually with members from all parties

• the govt is constantly facing the prospect of defeat

• the govt needs to survive any votes of no confidence n must get approval from the Commons for the budget

2019 election:

• boris won with an increased majority - ‘get brexit done’

• means his govt will usually get its way

• however, his govt’s treatment of Parliament fostered resentment, esp prorogued Parliament

• lockdown issues/partygate

• cronyism/pincher

• led to johnson being ousted

• truss lasted less than 50 days - the kamikwasi budget

• now on sunak - still has electoral mandate but no public vote

• braverman issues, bullying (sir gav, big dom), covid inquiry

the road ahead:

• 2022-3 (and probably 24) tricky for sunak

• lost conservative leader contest

• only elected by mps

• cost of living crisis

• huge borrowing hole to fill

• austerity with higher taxes n cut spending post-hunt budget

• ukraine/israel crises

• split tory party - esp moderates vs hard right

• strong labour opposition - seen as govt in waiting