AQA 2017 Topic 2 question b (actual): Two reasons why parliament shouldn't be considered 'irrelavant and all but powerless in the legislative process'.
As this question is worth 10 marks, I would advise briefly introducing your answer with a quick quote that outlines your position followed by stating the two points your are to back up your answer with. For example, I would use a quote from Meg Russell and Daniel Glover - academics on Parliamentary processes - who can conclude that from a study of over 4000 amendments, Parliament was shown to be 'much more than a rubber stamp process'. To show this I will use the example of 'free votes' and the House of Lords. 'Free votes' refers to a process where legislators are allowed to vote according to their own personal conscience rather than abiding to the political parties stance on an issue. In the UK, this means MP's can vote according to their own - or indeed constituents view - as opposed to their parties, which is usually informed by their chief whip. On the 14th January 2019 MP's were allowed to vote on May's deal to leave the EU. Under the guise of the deal, May was defeated by 432 MP's against compared to 202 MP's in favour. Although, May had a minority government, with more MP's than any other party, the free vote showed to be an accountable check on the executive. Again, the role of the House of Lords cannot be underestimated. Although it is seen as more of an advisory chamber and is restricted by the 1911 Parliament Act to outright block or prevent a bill from coming into force, it can delay a bill for up to two years. Also, due to the fact the House of Lords doesn't change in its membership after each general election it is valued for its level of scrutiny. For example, Gordon Brown attempted to extend detention without being charged for 42 days in the 2008 Terrorist Bill. However, after a defeat in the House of Lords by 191 votes on his bill, Gordon Brown scrapped the proposed legislation. Both free votes and the House of Lords show how the executive can be held accountable by Parliament.
