The Role of Parliamentary Government Parliament Learning objectives

The Role of Parliamentary Government Parliament

Learning objectives • To evaluate to what extent the UK is becoming more presidential • To identify different theories of parliamentary government

Key Question To what extent has the UK system become more presidential? COMPLETELY PRESIDENTIAL LARGE EXTENT PRESIDENTIAL SMALL EXTENT PARLIAMENTARY LARGE EXTENT PARLIAMENTARY COMPLETELY PARLIAMENTARY

To what extent has the UK system become more presidential? To help you reach a judgement on how presidential the UK system of government is, you are going to use a checklist. INSTRUCTIONS • Tick all of the features that apply to the UK system of government in both columns. • Look at how the features of the UK system are split between the columns – this should give you a visual illustration of the extent to which the UK system has become presidential.

To what extent has the UK system become more presidential?

Spotlight on… Parliament and Government Parliament and government both play a part in forming the laws of the United Kingdom. They are separate institutions that work closely together, so it's easy to mix-up exactly what each one is responsible for. Government • The government runs the country and has responsibility for developing & implementing policy and for drafting laws. It is also known as the Executive. Parliament • Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK. It has responsibility for checking the work of government and examining, debating & approving new laws.

Theories of Parliamentary Power There are 3 interpretations of parliamentary power; The Westminster Model The Whitehall Model The Transformative Model

Theories of Parliamentary Power WESTMINSTER MODEL WHITEHALL MODEL Parliament = representative government + responsible government Executive = political + constitutional power Parliament = significant policy influence Parliament = rubber stamp (no meaningful policy influence) TRANSFORMATIVE MODEL Parliament = no longer policy making body Parliament ≠ irrelevant Parliament = transform policy (reacting to executive initiatives)

Theories of Parliamentary Power Which interpretation of parliamentary power do you think is most accurate and why?

Spotlight on… Ministers & MPs Government ministers are chosen from MPs and Lords in Parliament. Your MP may be a member of the party forming the current Government, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are working 'in government'. Ministers must regularly respond to oral and written questions from MPs and Lords.

Key Question Choose where you believe the question can be answered on thermometer. Write at least 2 paragraphs to justify your answer. To what extent has the UK system become more presidential? COMPLETELY PRESIDENTIAL LARGE EXTENT PRESIDENTIAL SMALL EXTENT PARLIAMENTARY LARGE EXTENT PARLIAMENTARY COMPLETELY PARLIAMENTARY