Parliamentary Democracy

House of Commons
1. 650 MPs
2. IPSA determines MP pay
3. Most MP's are known as 'backbenchers'
  1. Responsibilities include:
    1. Weekly 'surgeries'
    2. Writing to ministers to resolve grievencies with constituents
    3. Asking written or oral q's at PMQ's
    4. Canvassing support for Early Day Motions
    5. Requesting leave from Speaker for debates
    6. Introducing Private Member Bills
    7. Coordinating e-petitions on behalf of public/constits
  2. MP's also have a responsibility to Parliament + party
    1. One is through the Committee System
      1. Most backbenchers and peers are members of at least one committee
      2. Select Committees scrutinise the work of individual government departments and Parliament itself
      3. General committees scrutinizes, comments and ameds bills that may become acts
      4. Joint committees composed of MP's and peers to assist the swift passage of laws
Whip system
1. Whips are MP's or peers charged with whipping into line backbenchers in debates/votes
2. Party whip refers to the MP's membership of his party
3. MPs also receive a circular called 'The Whip' which tells them how to vote and attend matters
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Legislation
1. Public bills effect the whole county
2. Private bills effect specific individuals or organisations
3. Private member bills are introduced by backbenchers
  1. Must be the 'first member through the door' to the Public Bill Office 15 working days before the date they wish to present it
4. Green Paper is a sketchy consultation outlining the 'broad spirit' of the bill
5. Two early versions of legislation comes first
6. White Paper is a more detailed outline of the law

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Parliamentary Democracy

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	Created by Chris Harper about 10 years ago