Unit 2 - Parliament

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  • Created by: Julia
  • Created on: 30-04-13 21:10
Representation
Commons MPs are elected to serve a geographical constituency and those who live there. MPs should represent the concerns of their constituents within parliament.
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Parliamentary soverignty
The doctrine that parl has absolute legal authority within the state. Parliament can make law on any matter it chooses, its decisions may not be overturned by any higher authority & may not bind its successors.
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Mandate
The right of the governing party to pursue the policies it sets out in its genera election manifesto. The doctrine of the mandate gives the gov party the authority to pursue its stated policies.
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Westminster model
The traditional way of understanding the British political system, focusing on the constitution and major institutions. Both describing the British & claims it is ideal. K.F = uncodified constitution, cabinet gov, 2-party system
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Scrutiny
Parl scrutinises the actions of the executive & ensures gov accountability by requiring ministers to explain & justify their actions. Scrutinising gov by QT, the opposition, debates and select committees
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Accountability
Ministers are accountable to parl & to the electorate. They have a duty to explain their policies & actions to parl. Ministers may also be held responsible for policy failures
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Bicameral
Apolitical system with 2 chambers in the legislature. Lower house tends to be the dominant chamber - directly elected or indirectly elected (H of C)
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PMQ
Held on Wed. midday 1/2 hour. Provides opportunity for the leader of the opposition & backbenchers selected by whips to embarrass the PM - highlighting policy failure - MORE HEAT THAN LIGHT
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Backbenchers
All the MPs who sit on the backbenches and do not hold any frontbench responsibility (giving them, in theory at least time to represent their constituency)
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Parliamentary questions
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to question government ministers about matters for which they are responsible. The most important of these being the PMQ.
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Select committees
Important role in holding gov to account. Departmental scrutinises work of specific gov departments. Non-departmental = Public Accounts - makes dept acountable for spending
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Standing committtees
Are ad hoc rather than permanent. Formed to consider specific pieces of legislation and disband when jobs done. Gov can put limit on time leg spends in committee
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Frontbenchers
MPs who hold senior positions in gov, act as shadow ministers for official opposition, or are spokespeople for their parties
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Life peers
These replaced many hereditary peers in the H of Ls in the H of L Act (1999). These are members of the H of L who have the position for life, but it is not passed to next generation
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The speaker
The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates in the Commons Chamber and the holder of this office is an MP who has been elected by other MPs. The highest authority in the H of C and must remain politically impartial at all times
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Parliamentary majority
When a government has majority within parliament - needed to be workable over 325. E.g. Labour 1997, NOT current coalition
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Whips
MPs who ensure that the gov maintains a majority in the votes taken in parliament . Cheuif whip attends cabinet meetings & has the status of a senior minister.
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Executive dictatorship
Excessive conc of power in the executive branch . Implies that only check on the power is need to hold power in GE at reg intervals. Beyond this the gov can do as it wishes & there are no further checks and balances
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The doctrine that parl has absolute legal authority within the state. Parliament can make law on any matter it chooses, its decisions may not be overturned by any higher authority & may not bind its successors.

Back

Parliamentary soverignty

Card 3

Front

The right of the governing party to pursue the policies it sets out in its genera election manifesto. The doctrine of the mandate gives the gov party the authority to pursue its stated policies.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The traditional way of understanding the British political system, focusing on the constitution and major institutions. Both describing the British & claims it is ideal. K.F = uncodified constitution, cabinet gov, 2-party system

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Parl scrutinises the actions of the executive & ensures gov accountability by requiring ministers to explain & justify their actions. Scrutinising gov by QT, the opposition, debates and select committees

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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