The changing balance of power and influence between Parliament and the executive The growing influence of Parliament (4) Factors that retain executive power (5)

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There are four content areas in UK Politics:
1. Democracy and participation
2. Political parties
3. Electoral systems
4. Voting behaviour and the media.

1. The changing balance of power and influence between Parliament and the executive The growing influence of Parliament (4) Factors that retain executive power (5)

The growing influence of Parliament - Parliament now has partial control over military policy - Select committees are increasingly important - There has not been a decisive government majority in the commons since 2005 - The HOL has become increasingly obstructive Factors that retain executive power - Governments still normally enjoy a commons majority - Government still relies on a largel 'payroll vote' where all ministers, numbering over a 100, vote in their favour due to collective responsibility - Government still controls the legislative programme and the Public Bill Committees which propose legislation - PM still has patronage which creates loyalty - Government still at a huge advantage in resources (advice and research) over Parliament
Positive aspects of UK elections: 1. Relatively little corruption, secrecy of the ballot virtually guarenteed, conduct safeguarded by the Electoral Commission 2. Constituency system ensure clear representation for citizens 3. Elections are held on a regular basis, Fixed Term Parliament Act 4. There is freedom of information and of the media so that voters have free access to independent information upon which they can base their choice Negative aspects of UK elections: 1. FPTP is argued to be unfair and unrepresentative, many votes are wasted and of unequal value 2. Small parties tend to struggle to get a foot hold due to FPTP 3. UK general elections produce governments that do not enjoy the support of a majority of the electorate
A convention is an unwritten rule that is considered binding on all members of the political community, rarely and unlikely to be challenged - Many of the PM's powers are governed by such conventions - It is merely a convention that the PM exercises the Queen's power to dismiss and appoint ministers, to conduct foreign policy and to grant various honours - Also convention, the Salisbury Convention, that the HOL does not block any legislation contained in the governments election manifesto - Developing convention appears to be the idea that a PM must gain the consent of Parliament before committing armed forces - Collective responsibility
Some argue that the location of legal sovereignty is largely pointless and that the only importance in terms of power is where it really lies Examples which illustrate this philosophy: - The key decisions in regard to the constitution are now being decided through referendums, in this sense the people are sovereign - The devolution settlement is in reality a federal system, this is because it would be unthinkable as to what would happen if Parliament where to abruptly withdraw its sovereignty - It can be argued that through winning an election and a mandate for their manifesto, the government has been granted sovereignty

The changing balance of power and influence between Parliament and the executive The growing influence of Parliament (4) Factors that retain executive power (5)

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The changing balance of power and influence between Parliament and the executive The growing influence of Parliament (4) Factors that retain executive power (5)

❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know? Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson© 2026 Fatskills.com

All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.

About | Explore | User Guide | Topics | Subjects | Doubt Solver | Career Aptitude Test | Answers | Free Tools | What Should We Know?
Privacy | Terms |

Without work one finishes nothing. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
© 2026 Fatskills.com