Component 2, Chapter 2: Parliament

A Level Government and Politics (Pearson/Edexcel)
Component 2, Chapter 2: Parliament

Nature of Parliament

Government
• Prime Minister + cabinet
• Executive


Parliament
• House of Commons, House of Lords and monarch
• Legislative


Westminster system = fusion of powers

Features of Parliament
• Speaker
o House of Commons - John Bercow
o House Of Lords - Lord Fowler
o Only can vote when Parliament is in deadlock
o Has to stick to the status quo
o Makes sure one person does not dominate the discussion
o Sets an agenda
o Not politically biased


• Whips
o Exist in both HofC and HofL
o Makes sure MPs vote in the way the leader wants them to.
o Act as 'tellers' - counting votes in divisions
o Pairing system
• If someone is not in Parliament, their counterpart is also removed
o 'Three-line whip'
• Most important
• Decided by the number of lines
• If you defy a three-line whip - can be expelled from your party
o Small majorities
• Whips are the most important




Advantages and disadvantages of the fusion of power

Advantage
• The Westminster system allows for an accountable government that – with
control of the primary legislative chamber and no rival elected body to
challenge it.