The ways in which the parliament interacts with the executive
Parliamentary privilege
Within parliament MPs can say what they like (within reason) without being subject to libel
(legally prosecuted for the words that they say) so that free speech can take place, but it
does not make them exempt from legal prosecution if they commit an actual crime.
2009 expenses scandal – false claims made across the house for parliamentary expenses
and from different parties.
Holding the executive to account
Backbench committees are increasingly important
Backbench business committee – allows the backbench members from either side of the
house to choose the topic on a Thursday for that week’s debate. This amounts to 35
debates in a parliamentary session. The committee is proportionally representative to the
HOC.
The debates sometimes take place in Westminster hall which is a bigger, older chamber in
the commons that eases pressure on main common chamber
E Petitions
Some of the topics chosen by the backbench MPs are in response to signatories to E-
Petitions, calling for change from the public on issues that they deem important to them.
100,000 signatures are required to the E-Petition to be taken up an email
Parliamentary privilege
Within parliament MPs can say what they like (within reason) without being subject to libel
(legally prosecuted for the words that they say) so that free speech can take place, but it
does not make them exempt from legal prosecution if they commit an actual crime.
2009 expenses scandal – false claims made across the house for parliamentary expenses
and from different parties.
Holding the executive to account
Backbench committees are increasingly important
Backbench business committee – allows the backbench members from either side of the
house to choose the topic on a Thursday for that week’s debate. This amounts to 35
debates in a parliamentary session. The committee is proportionally representative to the
HOC.
The debates sometimes take place in Westminster hall which is a bigger, older chamber in
the commons that eases pressure on main common chamber
E Petitions
Some of the topics chosen by the backbench MPs are in response to signatories to E-
Petitions, calling for change from the public on issues that they deem important to them.
100,000 signatures are required to the E-Petition to be taken up an email
