Edexcel Government & Politics - Unit 2 Governing the UK (09/06/16)

1.

The set up of HoC as in there are 650 MPs

2.

The party with the majority(either a single party or a coalition) in the Commons forms the government which make up the government front bench

3.

The most important MPs sit at the front and MPs not on the front benches are known as backbenches

4.

Each party in Parliament has whips who inform members about business

5.

Maintain party discipline and acts as channels of communication between party leaderships and backbench MPs

1.

It is also known as the 'upper house'

2.

Its seats consists of 92 hereditary peers who have inherited their title

3.

26 archbishops and bishops of the Church of England,and 600 life peer who have the right to sit in the Lords for their whole lives(there are 750 peers)

4.

They have legislative committees but not departmental select committees

5.

The Lords contains 'crossbenchers' who are not affiliated to any party and so are highly independent

6.

No one party has a majority in the Lords.

1.

They both grant formal approval for legislation,

2.

Calling government to account,

3.

Scrutinising legislation and proposing amendments,

4.

Debating(deliberation) key political issues.

1.

Representing constituencies and constituents

2.

MPs may seek the redress of grievances of citizens and groups

3.

Removing a government from power if it has lots its legitimacy

4.

Vetoing legislation in extreme circumstances when it is considered against the national interest.

1.

Delaying legislation for at least a year in order to force government to reconsider it

2.

Representing various interests and causes in society

3.

Proposing amendments to legislation in order to improve it and protect minority interests.

1.

The government can claim a mandate from the people for its politices when it is elected to power. Parliament, therefore, lacks the legitimate right to ignore the mandate and tends to accept the government's right to govern.

2.

Governments normally enjoy a clear majority of support in the Commons( the 2010 election was an exception, but a majority coalition was formed instead of a one-party majority). This means the government can normally count on the majority of support.

3.

The MPs of the governing party were elected on the understanding that they would help to implement the party manifesto. On the whole, therefore, the MPs of the governing majority will normally support the government.

4.

Patronage is a key factor. Most MPs seek promotion to government at some time. By remaining loyal they improve their chances of promotion. All government posts are in the hands of the prime ministers, so he or she exercises a great deal of influence over ambitious MPs. This is known as the 'power of patronage'.

5.

Governments(as well as opposition parties) use whips, who are senior MPs, to maintain party discipline and to remind MPs where their first loyalty lies. Rebellious MPs receive warnings and then may suffer suspension from their party.

1.

Ultimately Parliament is sovereign. This means it can veto legislation if it believes it is not in the public interest and/or the government has no legitimate mandate for the proposal.

2.

In extreme circumstances the House of Commons can remove a government through a vote of no confidence

3.

Parliament has the power to amend legislation to improve it or remove offending clauses

4.

The House of Lords retains independence because there is no government majority there and patronage is weaker. It can therefore defy the will of government. MPs and peers can call government to account publicly.

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1979 vote of no confidence: The Labour government under prime minister James Callaghan was removed prematurely from office after a sustained period of industrial unrest and economic problems

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2008 detention of terrorist suspects: Gordon Brown's attempt to extent the period of detention to 52 days was defeated in the HoL and the government did not attempt to overturn it.

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Normally consists of 11-13 backbench MPs

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Oversee the work of government departments

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Can question ministers, civil servants, advisers and other witnesses or call for official papers

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Have often been critical of government's work and are influential

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Usually consist of 15-40 backbench MPs

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Consider possible amendments to proposed legilsation

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Always have a government majority

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Rarely pass amendments against government wishes- analysis

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Are seen as largely ineffectual except where an issue is not controversial between the parties- analysis

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Contain 15+ members

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Often contain peers who are experts on the issues being legislated

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Are subject to weaker party discipline than in the Commons- analysis

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Often pass significant amendments to improve legislation and/or protect minorities

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Often defy the government's wishes

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Make amendments that are subject to approval in the Commons, so their power is weakened

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Do sometimes force the government to change its mind.