Critically evaluate Parliament as a law maker Critically evaluate the role and impact of Parliament on law-making

Evaluate Requires adding up the strengths and weaknesses and providing an opinion based on the evidence provided. When adding up strengths and weaknesses, attempt to find a corresponding weakness for each strength

Evaluate For each strength (1 mark) for each weakness (1 mark) Know between 4 to 5 strengths and corresponding weaknesses of Parliament

Evaluate You can strongly agree, strongly disagree or be somewhere in the middle, but you MUST provide your opinion. Avoid using phrases like ‘I think Parliament is effective’ Instead try ‘ Whilst there are weaknesses associated with Parliament’s ability to make laws, it is still effective and could be considered to be the supreme law maker’

Parliament’s role It is parliament’s primary role to make laws, therefore it can devote all it’s time to the creation of legislation. HOWEVER Parliament is not always sitting and is therefore unable to pass laws quickly.

Popular Representation MPs are elected into office, upholding the principle of representative government. This ensures that laws represent the views of the majority, upholding a democratic system. HOWEVER MPs can become concerned with not being re-elected and can be hesitant to pass unpopular but necessary laws.

Parliament can pass laws in futuro Parliament has the ability to pass laws in futuro, that is, with the future in mind. It can therefore legislate to prevent or control future situations. HOWEVER Parliament cannot be expected to be able to foresee all situations and legislate on these accordingly.

Bicameral Structure The structure of parliament allows for rigorous scrutiny and debate. This ensures all legislation has been sufficiently considered before it is introduced. HOWEVER The passage of a bill and the level of scrutiny required can be time consuming. This can have detrimental implications where the laws needs to be changed quickly. Also the upper house may not always perform its intended function as the ‘House of Review’

Comprehensive laws Parliament use a variety of resources (including the VLRC) to thoroughly investigate potential laws and their impacts HOWEVER This can be time consuming and expensive and prevent laws from being enacted quickly.

Delegation Parliament can delegate some of its law making power to specialist bodies (subordinate authorities) HOWEVER These bodies are not elected and therefore do not uphold the concept of a democratic system