1. The Role of the MP Aim: To identify how MPs represent their
constituents (people from their local
area) in Parliament.

2. The Work of an MP Monday-Friday Mail/Research/Meetings Morning AM
House of Commons pm
(Can be later if there are important debates)
Sat-Sun
Work in Constituency

3. How Does an MP Represent Their Constituents in Parliament?
Passing New Laws
Question Time
Adjournment Debates
Debates
Committee Work
The Ten Minute Rule

4. How Does an MP Represent Their Constituents in Parliament?
If you were an MP and had the
opportunity to introduce a Private
Member’s Bill in Parliament what new
law or change in the law would you try
to introduce?

5. Constituency Work Responding to Constituents Letters
Surgery/Advice Clinic
Attending Local Meetings
Fact-finding Visits
Contact with Local Mass Media
Contact with Local Councillors
Social Events

6. Pressures and Limitations On MPs
Aim:
To identify different groups who try to
put pressure on an MP to support their
views.

7. Pressures on an MP Constituents Political Party Local interests
National Interest
Family
Ideological Beliefs
Personal conscience
Pressure Groups
Media

8. The Whip System Every political party appoints ‘Party Whips’
It is the Whips job to make sure that MPs support their party and leader in key votes in the House of Commons.
An MP who wants to be promoted and become a government minister must avoid ‘disobeying the whip’

9. The Whip System How Does It Work?
Each week, the Whips issue MPs notes on
the order of business in Parliament for
the coming week.
*One line whips asks the MP to attend the
House
*Two line whips expects the MP to attend and support
the government
*Three line whip demands an MP’s attendance and
support.

10. The Whip System
If an MP refuses to support their party he/she may have the Whip withdrawn. This means their party does not support them and they may not be selected to stand for the party in the next election.
In extreme cases, an MP could be expelled from their party.
MPs use the Whips to tell their party leader their ideas, concerns or feelings.

11. Politics – Task 2
1. Describe fully two ways that MP represent their constituents in the House of Commons. (4 marks)
2. Explain two pressures which MPs face when trying to represent their constituents. (4 marks)

12. The Powers of the Prime Minister
Aim:
Identify the main powers of the Prime Minister.
Identify the limits to the Prime Minister’s power.

13. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been PM since June 2007.
He was Chancellor for 10 years while Tony Blair was PM.
Paid £187,611 per year.
Official residence – 10 Downing Street.
‘First Among Equals’ – the PM is elected as an MP to represent a constituency

14. Powers of the Prime Minister
Power of Patronage
PM has the power to appoint people to a range of positions e.g. Cabinet, members of committees, life peers to House of Lords
PM can ‘make or break’ a political career.

15. Powers of the Prime Minister
Chairperson of Cabinet
PM controls and dominates Cabinet Meetings – decides agenda and topics to be discussed.
Cabinet ministers are bound by ‘collective responsibility’ – they must publicly agree with decisions or resign.

16. Powers of the Prime Minister
Party Leader
The PM can be confident that his own MPs will support any laws/measures.
It is very unusual for MPs to vote against their own party – party whip system, would affect their chances of promotion, could cause the government to lose power.

17. Power of Patronage
Give examples of types of positions the PM appoints people to.
Explain why this power is important.
Chairperson of Cabinet
Explain how the PM controls/dominates meetings.
Explain what is meant by ‘collective responsibility’
Party Leader
Explain why it is unusual for MPs to vote against their own party.

18. Other Powers of the Prime Minister
Spokesperson for the Government at
home and abroad
The media will report what the PM has to
say about key issues and other world
leaders will meet and discuss world issues
with the PM.
Link between the Queen and Parliament
The PM meets the Queen on a weekly basis and
keeps her up-to-date with what is happening in
Parliament.

19. Other Powers of the Prime Minister
Controls the Timetable of the Government
The PM decides which issues are the top priorities
and which laws needs to be passed first.
Decides the Timing of Election
The PM must call an election every 5 years
but he can chose a time when the government is
popular and has the greatest chance of being re-
elected.

20. Other Powers of the Prime Minister
PM Has Special Foreign and Defence
Responsibilities
Parliament can debate key issues such as the
war in Iraq but the decision to go to war
rests with the PM.

21. ‘President Blair ’
It is argued that during his term in office
Tony Blair tried to exercise more control
over all areas of government.
How did he do this?

22. ‘President Blair
Shorter Cabinet meetings – less chance for discussion.
Public statements by ministers have to be approved by PM’s press office.
Personal meetings with Cabinet ministers.
Appoints Cabinet ministers who are Blair supporters.
PM speaks to nation about a range of issues rather than the minister responsible.

23. Limits to the PM’s Power
The PM has to ensure that his party is re-elected every 5 years.
PM’s Question Time takes place in the Commons on a weekly basis – a poor performance can damage the PM’s reputation or cause a loss of support.
House of Lords can delay bills for up to one year.

24. Limits to the PM’s Power
PM has to manage unexpected events e.g. recent terrorists attack at Glasgow Airport.
PM’s position as party leader could be challenged.
Select Committees examine the work of government departments.

25. The Cabinet Aims: To identify the main role of the Cabinet
Examine the limitations on the power of the Cabinet.

26. The Cabinet Meets weekly on a Tuesday
Chaired by the Prime Minister who also decides the agenda.
Contains heads of key departments, top law officers and government Whips.

27. The Powers of the Cabinet
Make, check or endorse major government decisions.
Settles disputes between government departments.
Discuss issues and agree on government policy.
Evaluate the success or failure of government initiatives.
Remember the power of the Cabinet depends on
the willingness of the Prime Minister to allow
discussion, debate and decision-making to take
place.

28. Government Ministers Each government department is headed by a
Secretary of State (Minister). A Minister has
many roles:
In the Commons they will introduce and explain the purpose of new laws.
They will defend the government’s actions in key debates.
They will put forward new ideas.
They are also responsible for the overall performance of their department.
They will brief the Cabinet and PM about key issues.
They are a public spokesperson for their department.