Factors that Limit the Effectiveness of the Parliament
Analyse the main factors that limit the effectiveness of parliament? (25)
1. Point-discipline exercised by whips and party leaders prevents MP’s and peers operating independently. Divisions and standing committees are usually strictly whipped.
Political information – the lobby fodder issue, where many MP’s are newly elected or too scared to stand up against their party in fear of demotion- Patrick Mercer
Analysis- this shows that many MP’s are too scared to go against the party line, mainly because they are concerned that they will get taunted and ribbed over such an issue to the point they don’t see the point and quit. – MP’s aren’t just scared but if they go against the party line then they reduce their chances of promotion and other such opportunities.
2. Point- MP’s and peers do not have sufficient time, expertise, knowledge and research back-up to be able to effectively examine legislation and government policy.
Political information- this is often because deals about what will go on is made in secret, usually called sofa politics, Tony Blair was famous for this. –he had a large group of cose advisiors with which he discussed many issues but it was disapproved by many.
Analysis-this was a bad thing, as this would usually undermine the MP’s making them wonder why they had been elected in the first place. Also impacts the legitimacy of the decisions made as the MP’s don’t have the knowledge necessary to make these decisions.
3. Point-Commons may be said to lack legitimacy because of its distorted representation in (the electoral system), while the lords is unelected.
Political information- this is often the case because of FPTP which often doesn’t take into account the views of the parties that didn’t win, making the people’s votes worthless and them feeling like they don’t matter.- it is necessary because the party was voted in in accordance to their manifesto so the majority is in power.
Analysis-this shows that the commons is often far too
1. Point-discipline exercised by whips and party leaders prevents MP’s and peers operating independently. Divisions and standing committees are usually strictly whipped.
Political information – the lobby fodder issue, where many MP’s are newly elected or too scared to stand up against their party in fear of demotion- Patrick Mercer
Analysis- this shows that many MP’s are too scared to go against the party line, mainly because they are concerned that they will get taunted and ribbed over such an issue to the point they don’t see the point and quit. – MP’s aren’t just scared but if they go against the party line then they reduce their chances of promotion and other such opportunities.
2. Point- MP’s and peers do not have sufficient time, expertise, knowledge and research back-up to be able to effectively examine legislation and government policy.
Political information- this is often because deals about what will go on is made in secret, usually called sofa politics, Tony Blair was famous for this. –he had a large group of cose advisiors with which he discussed many issues but it was disapproved by many.
Analysis-this was a bad thing, as this would usually undermine the MP’s making them wonder why they had been elected in the first place. Also impacts the legitimacy of the decisions made as the MP’s don’t have the knowledge necessary to make these decisions.
3. Point-Commons may be said to lack legitimacy because of its distorted representation in (the electoral system), while the lords is unelected.
Political information- this is often the case because of FPTP which often doesn’t take into account the views of the parties that didn’t win, making the people’s votes worthless and them feeling like they don’t matter.- it is necessary because the party was voted in in accordance to their manifesto so the majority is in power.
Analysis-this shows that the commons is often far too