¡Descarga Understanding the UK Parliament and Electoral Systems - Prof. Pearson y más Apuntes en PDF de Traducción solo en Docsity! 1. Explain the difference between Parliament and Government? Parliament is the supreme authority in the UK made up of 1340 elected and unelected members and the monarch. Parliament can use its power to limit the actions of the Government to prevent it from becoming too dominant. 2. What electoral systems are used in the UK and where? They use the First Past the Post (FPP) system. // Commonwealth ** 3. What’s the difference between a general election and a by-election? The difference is that a general election is held when Parliament is dissolved by the Queen on the advices of the Prime Minister of the day, while a by-election occurs when a member dies, retires or is disqualified from Membership of the House of Commons. 4. What is the role of the Select Committees (Committees of Inquiry)? The Select Committees of the House of Commons monitor the work of the Government Departments. 5. What are Opposition Days and what purpose do they serve? The Opposition can select the topic for debate on 20 opposition days. On 17 of theses, the subject for discussion is chosen by the leader of the Opposition. On the remaining 3, the choice lies with the smallest opposition parties with the purpose of everyone’s participation. 6. What do Whips and Civil Servants do? A whip is an important official of the House of Commons who ensures that there is a proper communication between all members of the House of Commons. Civil Servants are politically neutral and serve each Government, regardless of which party is in power. They give advice and information to Ministers to help when policies are being worked out. 7. What is the difference between a Law and a Bill and what is the difference between a Personal Bill, Private Bill and a Public Bill? The Bill is the law before is has been accepted and considered as a law by the Royal Assent and it receives the name of law after the Royal Assent. The Public Bills affect the public as a whole, while the Private Bills affect one particular area or organisation and the Personal Bills affect just one or two people. 8. The 5th of November is a popular celebration in the UK – what does this have to do with Parliament? Known as Bonfire Night, it is celebrated in honour of the Gunpowder plot in 1605 by Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up Parliament. Since then Parliament is no longer situated in a regular street. 9. What is a Green Paper and a White Paper in relation to a Bill? Quiz # 2 PAGE 1 A Green Paper is a discussion document or consulting paper with the ideas for a Bill. A White Paper is a document with the proposals which will form the basis of the bill to be introduced into the Parliament. 10. What do First, Second and Third readings mean regarding a Bill? The 1st reading lets Members know about the Bill; the 2nd reading explains the purpose of the Bill; and the 3rd reading is the overall examination of the Bill. 11. What is the role of the House of Lords and who can sit in this House? The role of the House of Lords is making laws and scrutinising the Government. It is the highest court in the land an the are four types of Lords: Life Peers, Law Lords, Bishops and Hereditary peers. 12. Explain the following: the Cabinet / Shadow Cabinet; Question Time. The Cabinet is formed by senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. The Shadow Cabinet is the opposition senior group. Question Time is when The House of Lords makes Government ministers answer questions about their work, known as “starred questions”. 13. How is government delegated between Westminster, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament? Westminster is in charge of the reserved powers while the WA and the SP of the devolved powers. Anyway, Westminster has more power over the other two. 14. What differences and similarities are there between the powers of the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament? The biggest differences are the number of parliamentary seats and in some of the major parties. SP is represented by 129 MSPs while de WA is represented with 60 MWAs. There are also similarities in its parties and both Parliaments have devolved powers. 15. What role does the Monarch play in Parliament and government and what kind of political powers do they have / not have? The Monarch has the powers of: • Appointing the PM after a general election. • Appointing Government Ministers. • Summoning, proroguing or dissolving Parliament. • Opening Parliament with the Queen’s speech. • Giving Royal Assent to legislation. • Patronage in making official appointments and conferring honours. • Declaring war and making peace. • Head if the Commonwealth. Almost all of them a formality these days. 16. What is the purpose of an Advice Surgery / Bureau? The purpose is for the constituents to meet and deal with their MPs to complain about unfair treat by central Government. Quiz # 2 PAGE 1
