Parliament
- Created by: Q_
- Created on: 31-03-19 12:03
View mindmap
- Is Parliament an effective check on the power of the executive?
- NO
- The executive exercises significant control over t he legislative timetable and MPs hoping to step legislation through parliament face significant obstacles.
- Government defeats are rare - most backbench MPs from the governing party obey the whip on a majority of votes.
- The government is usually able to overturn hostile amendments made in the House of Lords, and can resort to the Parliament Act to bypass opposition in the Lords.
- Select committees have little power. The government is not required to accept their recommendations and often ignores proposals that run counter to its preferred policy.
- YES
- The executive's control over the parliamentary timetable has been weakened by the creation of the BBBC and the greater use of urgent questions.
- Backbench MPs provide greater checks on government policy than in the past, with increased incidents of rebellion a constraint on government action.
- The reformed House of Lords, in which no party has a majority, is a more effective revising chamber - amendments made in the Lords often force the government to rethink legislation.
- Select committees have become more influential, with governments accepting around 40% of their recommendations. The election of select committee chairs and members has enhanced their independence.
- NO
Comments
No comments have yet been made