UK Parliament Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the main characteristic of the First-Past-the-Post electoral system?

  • All candidates must receive over 50% of the votes to win.
  • The candidate with the highest number of votes in each constituency wins. (correct)
  • Voters can rank candidates in order of preference.
  • It requires a runoff election if no candidate gets a simple majority.

What is one potential drawback of the First-Past-the-Post electoral system?

  • It requires a high level of voter turnout to be effective.
  • It allows voters to rank candidates by preference.
  • It often leads to representation that does not reflect the proportion of votes cast. (correct)
  • It ensures representation of all political parties.

Which function of Parliament involves forming the government and maintaining its majority?

  • Legislative function
  • Formation of government (correct)
  • Judicial oversight
  • Executive accountability

How does the House of Lords differ from the House of Commons in terms of its members?

<p>House of Lords members are appointed and not elected. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011?

<p>The existing First-Past-the-Post system was retained. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the electoral system being First-Past-the-Post in relation to party representation?

<p>It can lead to single-party majority governments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the democratic accountability of Members of Parliament in the House of Commons?

<p>They must maintain the support of their constituents to be re-elected. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords regarding legislation?

<p>Only the House of Commons can enact primary legislation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the result when a candidate gets the most votes in a constituency using the First-Past-the-Post system?

<p>Plurality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary functionality of Parliament regarding financial matters?

<p>To authorize taxes and government expenditure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition is a candidate elected in the first-preference voting system?

<p>The candidate receives over 50% of the first-preference votes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 2011 referendum regarding the adoption of the Alternative Vote (AV) system?

<p>The British people rejected the adoption of the AV system. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 introduce?

<p>It reinstated the prerogative powers of the monarch to dissolve Parliament. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the House of Lords is true?

<p>It consists of life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Salisbury convention dictate regarding the House of Lords?

<p>It limits HoL's rejection of government Bills implementing manifesto pledges. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens if Parliament is not dissolved after five years, according to the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022?

<p>Parliament is automatically dissolved for a general election. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What restriction does the Parliament Act 1911 impose on the House of Lords regarding legislation?

<p>HoL can delay legislation but cannot block it outright. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bishops in the House of Lords?

<p>Bishops hold seats as representatives of the Church of England. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition must be met for the House of Commons to extend the parliamentary term beyond five years?

<p>The House of Lords must approve the extension. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the event of no candidate securing more than 50% of the first-preference votes, what occurs next?

<p>The lowest-ranking candidate is eliminated and a second round of counting is held. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

UK Parliament Composition

The UK Parliament is bicameral, meaning it has two chambers: the House of Commons, elected, and the House of Lords, unelected.

House of Commons

The elected chamber in the UK Parliament, made up of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs).

House of Lords

The unelected chamber in the UK Parliament, composed of peers (life and hereditary).

Parliament's Functions

Parliament forms government, holds government accountable, and makes laws.

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First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.

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FPTP Pros

Expected to create single party majority governments and stability.

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FPTP Cons

Doesn't always reflect the proportion of votes cast across constituencies.

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Alternative Vote (AV)

Electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.

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Parliament and Democracy

MPs are elected representatives accountable to their constituencies and need to be re-elected.

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Parliamentary Primacy

The House of Commons has supreme legislative power.

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50% threshold for election

In a voting system, if a candidate receives more than 50% of first-preference votes, then that candidate wins the election.

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Second round of counting

If no candidate reaches 50%, the process repeats. The least popular candidate is eliminated, then remaining candidate's next-preference votes are counted.

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Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

A UK law setting five-year terms for general elections, except in special circumstances (as opposed to the prerogative power).

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Dissolution and Calling of Parliament 2022 Act

UK law reinstating the monarch's power to call early elections.

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Prerogative power (election)

The monarch's (or in other cases, the head of state's) formal or traditional right to call or arrange elections, not tied to special laws.

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Life peers

A type of appointments to the House of Lords by the Monarch (based on Prime Minister's recommendations).

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Salisbury Convention

House of Lords custom limiting its power to reject government bills implementing manifesto pledges.

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Parliament Acts 1911-1949

Laws limiting the House of Lords' ability to block legislation. Lords can only delay.

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Jackson v Attorney General

A UK legal case that concerned the House of Lords and its power to block proposed legislation.

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Study Notes

UK Parliament

  • The UK Parliament is a proper noun, without an article.
  • It sits in Westminster, London.
  • It's bicameral, with two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the composition of Parliament and parliamentary terms.
  • Explain the functions of Parliament.
  • Explain the electoral system (pros and cons).
  • Critically discuss Parliament's democratic credentials and the powers of the House of Lords.

The House of Commons

  • Elected chamber.
  • Comprises 650 Members of Parliament (MPs).
  • Each MP represents a constituency within the UK.
  • Holds primacy (power).

The House of Lords

  • Unelected chamber.
  • Approximately 800 members (peers).
  • Includes life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops.
  • Can delay (and exceptionally block) legislation.

Functions of Parliament

  • Forms government (needs majority and confidence of the HoC).
  • Holds government to account (relationship between executive and legislature).
  • Makes laws (only Parliament can enact primary legislation).
  • Other functions: supplying government personnel, and authorizing taxes and spending.

Parliament and Democracy

  • Democracy is government by the people, through their elected representatives.
  • Each MP is elected by their constituency, and is accountable to them.
  • MPs want to be re-elected and so must maintain constituency support.
  • Focus on constituency is due to the "first-past-the-post" (FPTP) electoral system.

Electoral System (First-Past-the-Post)

  • "Winner takes all" in each constituency.
  • Simple majority system.
  • Often leads to disproportionate results compared to the proportion of votes (e.g., 2010 and 2017 elections).

Alternative Vote (AV) Referendum 2011

  • Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
  • First preference votes tallied first; if no candidate surpasses 50%, rounds continue.
  • The 2011 referendum rejected the AV system.

Elections - Parliamentary Terms

  • General elections determine HoC membership and which party forms the government.
  • Typically occur every 5 years, but early elections are possible.
  • Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 attempted to fix election dates but was later reversed.

Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022

  • Repealed the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011.
  • Restored the monarch's prerogative power to dissolve and summon Parliament.
  • Allows early elections in specific circumstances.

House of Lords (Composition as of September 2024)

  • 805 members.
  • Three categories of peers: 692 life peers, 88 hereditary peers, and 25 bishops.
  • Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

House of Lords (Powers and Limitations)

  • Less powerful than the House of Commons, but works with it in lawmaking.
  • Salisbury Convention restricts House of Lords powers.
  • Parliament Acts 1911-1949 limit the House of Lords' power to block legislation.
  • Money Bills (financial legislation) are subject to a shorter delaying period in the House of Lords than other legislation.

Jackson Case (R (Jackson) v Attorney General [2005])

  • Could the House of Commons bypass the House of Lords by enacting two bills?
  • A majority opinion ruled against that.
  • The one-year delaying power for non-money bills is significant.

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Description

This quiz covers the structure and functions of the UK Parliament, including the roles of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It delves into the electoral system, parliamentary terms, and the democratic implications of the UK legislative framework. Test your knowledge on how this bicameral parliament operates and its impact on governance.

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