Politics: Uk structure and role of parliament
advantages of pmq
1) positive publcity to questioner/opposition party e.g. blair
2) keeps the pm on their toes &directly accountable to parl
3) members of governing party can go against pm
disadvantages of pmqs
1) convey image of rowdiness and theatricals, exchange of.....
2) punch and judy politics describes former speaker john bercow, who wrote to party leaders....
3)most questions designed to catch out opposition or praise ones own party rather than change opinions/policy.....
effectiveness of select committees
1) makeup of select committees - chairs and members now selected by a secret ballot..
2) reports issued are often hard hitting and influential e.g. health select committee may 2018
3) can summon witnesses to give evidence, can include minsters, civil servants and private individuals
legislative process
1)first reading - bill is formally introduced to parliament, no debate at this stage.
2)second reading - significant, main chance for debate and suggesting amendments...
3)committee stage - important as it is when bills get scrutinsed line by line....
4)report stage - changes made at committee stage are discussed and voted on
5)third reading - short debate final vote on bill before royal assent providing
6)lords stage - revising and amending legislation, can act as a check on the commons and government...
Backbench mps and legislation
bills tend to be created by government and implement manifesto pledges = mps can feel like lobby folder.....
indirect backbench pressure
such as applying pressure before bill reaches commons = government can introduce legialstion due to pressure of own backbenchers.....
backbench rebellions
1)blocking theresa may's brexit deals - party voted against her 432 - 202
2) 2003 iraq war - feb 121 labour mps rebelled on amendment inclding 60 voting against government motion
3)march 2021 - 35 conservative backbench + backbench from oppostion parties. voted against government's extension of covid restrictions follwing 3rd national lockdown. decemeber 2021 rebellions grew larger....
theories of representation - mandate theory
mps are elected to carry out the manifesto promises of their party , most prevalent theory....
theories of representation - burkean/trustee theory
associated with edmund burke - 18th century mp who felt that as a representative, elected officials should take into account constitutents views while employing their own judgements to serve the publics interest.......
theories of representation - delegate model
mps viewed as mouthpieces of their constituents and bound by their wishes, a planning or transport decison that is unpopular in their constituency would be reflectin this model...
scrutiny of the executive
1)Select committees
1)PMQs
2)Parliamentary debates - offers mps opportunity to raise concerns and on ocassion foce governmen to change its mind...
3)emergency debate - granted at the speaker's discretion..
4)Public bill committees - committee stage, each bill is given own public bill committee comprised of backbench - can & do make effective changes to government bills - e.g. during committee stage of investigating powers act 2016 that dealt wiht sensitive topic of electronic surveillance by security services, additional safeguards were put in place to protect journalists