Functions Of Parliament:
- Make law – legislate
- Check government – scrutiny/oversight
- Debates – deliberation
- Representation – reflecting the way we vote and does Parliament look like us
- Legitimation – giving approval to government plans
How
Is The HoC and HoL Structured And What Are Frontbenchers &
Backbenchers:
- 650 MPs, frontbenchers are government ministers or shadow ministers, those with no government role are known as backbenchers.
- Almost all MPs represent a party but there are a few cases where there hasn’t been – Sylvia Hermon was an independent MP who won in 2010 and 2015
Example
Of A Recent Convention:
- PM does not send troops but he/she has previously asked Parliament when they should and if they should.
Bicameral
Legislature:
- A political system in which there are two chambers in the legislature – HoC and the HoL.
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
|
Upper house provides checks
and balance |
Legislature gridlock
|
|
Greater scrutiny and
revision |
Upper house may frustrate
the will of the elected lower house
|
|
Represents different ideas |
Pay
& Privilege – Important Elements of Parliamentary Privilege:
- In 2016 MPs were paid an estimated £75k
- Freedom Of Speech: Members of both houses are free to raise any issue in Parliament without fear of prosecution. MPs are still named people who wished to be not named.
- Exclusive Cognisance: Right of each house to regulate internal affairs without interference from outside bodies e.g the courts.
What
Do Whips Do:
- Ensure that MPs attend Parliamentary Division (votes) and approving the absence of MPs when their votes aren’t required
- Issuing instructions on how MPs should vote. 3-line Whips are very strict so MPs must be at the vote no matter what
- Enforcing discipline within parliamentary party by providing reassurance and issuing threats. Rebellious MPs may be expelled from Parliamentary party by having the whip withdrawn.