What Is Scrutiny:
- Role of parliament in examining the policies and the world of the executive and holding it to account
Parliamentary
Questions:
- The most profile event is Prime Minsters Question Time (PMQs) which takes place at noon every Wednesday
- Leader of the Opposition askes 6 questions and 1 from backbenchers – the PM must then answer these questions
- Backbencher may raise a question about a constituency matter but government backbenchers have questions drew from whips and the PM knows what they’re likely to be and he/she will have notes for the questions.
- Leader of the opposition tries to shove the agenda or to highlight a policy failure
- The speaker has tried to get more backbenchers questions into PMQs and he has also tried to reduce the noise.
- Corbyn has tried to change the gladiatorial style to insure there are more questions about a constituents’ life.
What
Role And Significance Does The Opposition Have:
- The Labour Party is Her Majesty’s Official Opposition
- There are special privileges including additional salary, 6 questions in PMQs and the right to have the first response to major statements first. He or she appoints a shadow cabinet to follow the real government.
- The opposition oppose much government legislative and they force policy retreats
- Much of the money for the opposition comes from donations
- As the shadow cabinet are following the government they also form policy which can be used in manifestos as if they were actually in government – an alternative government in waiting
- Opposition can get 20 days on the parliamentary timetable where they can set the agenda.
Select
Committees:
- They extend and enhance parliamentary scrutiny of the executive
- Aims to hold government accountable for policy and decision making and supporting Parliament in submitting legislation and government spending
- 11 members all of whom are backbenchers’ MPs who are chosen by a secret ballot under AV