 starter activity George Galloway making an infamous appearance on celebrity big brother in a cat suit. Galloway is the ‘Respect’ MP for Bethnal Green & Bow. Do you think he is a good advert for effectiveness of MPs?

Do individual MPs make a difference? Examine opportunities for MPs to influence policy Role of ‘whips’  Aims

 Your task Read p. 212 and list the ways MPs can make a difference Read p. 212 and list the ways MPs can make a difference

MPs making a difference Criticise policy – Question Time, motions for adjournment, ‘catch the speaker’s eye’ Criticise policy – Question Time, motions for adjournment, ‘catch the speaker’s eye’ Initiate legislation – Private Member’s Bill Initiate legislation – Private Member’s Bill Convey their views – media appearances, sound out party colleagues Convey their views – media appearances, sound out party colleagues Mavericks – MPs at end of career or no hopes of promotion Mavericks – MPs at end of career or no hopes of promotion Bob Marshall-Andrews, Lab MPs for Medway. Outspoken critic of govt on issues such as constitutional reform & criminal justice system.

 Your task In red, draw up a list of factors which limit MPs ability to scrutinise government. In red, draw up a list of factors which limit MPs ability to scrutinise government.

Limitations on MPs Career politicians – Anthony King Career politicians – Anthony King Poor facilities Poor facilities Amount & complexity of govt. Amount & complexity of govt. Constituency work Constituency work Select & standing committees Select & standing committees

 Your task List the functions of the party ‘whip’ List the functions of the party ‘whip’ Give reasons why MPs ‘toe the party line’ Give reasons why MPs ‘toe the party line’

Functions of whips Officials who manage supporters of the party Officials who manage supporters of the party Maintain party discipline & unity Maintain party discipline & unity Chief whip assisted by 8-10 assistant whips Chief whip assisted by 8-10 assistant whips Whips in the Lords Whips in the Lords 3 line whip – compulsory attendance 3 line whip – compulsory attendance 2 line whip – pairing system 2 line whip – pairing system 1 line whip requests attendance 1 line whip requests attendance

Reasons for whips Maintaining unity Carry out party mandate Divisions provide ammunition for opposition & media Confuse electorate over party direction Undermine leadership Lab PM, Cons,

Reasons for ‘toeing the line’ Don’t want opposition to form govt. Don’t want opposition to form govt. Opportunities for private redress (informal processes) e.g Committee Opportunities for private redress (informal processes) e.g Committee Carrot & stick approach – promise of promotion Carrot & stick approach – promise of promotion

Frequency of rebellions Rebellions over contentious or key issues, e.g. Iraq, fox-hunting, tuition fees, criminal justice Rebellions over contentious or key issues, e.g. Iraq, fox-hunting, tuition fees, criminal justice Free votes – moral or ethical issues, e.g. fox- hunting (2003) Free votes – moral or ethical issues, e.g. fox- hunting (2003) Parliament Act (1949) used to enforce ban on hunting Parliament Act (1949) used to enforce ban on hunting Not all MPs are this rebellious….

 Your task Create a spider diagram highlighting the key contributions backbench MPs can make. Create a spider diagram highlighting the key contributions backbench MPs can make. What is this cartoonist implying about the nature of backbench MPs?

Contribution of backbenchers Useful party members – e.g. specialists in key areas of party policy Useful party members – e.g. specialists in key areas of party policy Good constituency members Good constituency members Individualists – thorn in the side of party leaders Individualists – thorn in the side of party leaders Other professional interests – e.g. law, journalism, charities Other professional interests – e.g. law, journalism, charities

Debate Debate This house believes that in today’s political climate, MPs are unable to make a difference to government policy. This house believes that in today’s political climate, MPs are unable to make a difference to government policy. Choose someone to support & oppose the motion Choose someone to support & oppose the motion Someone to second the opening statements Someone to second the opening statements Someone to sum up the debate. Someone to sum up the debate. Finally … take a vote! Finally … take a vote!

 Homework Question 2 on p.220. Please remember to answer ALL 3 parts of the question. Aim to write a paragraph for question a, ¾ of a side for question b and two sides for question c Question 2 on p.220. Please remember to answer ALL 3 parts of the question. Aim to write a paragraph for question a, ¾ of a side for question b and two sides for question c Don’t forget your targets and a bibliography Don’t forget your targets and a bibliography Try to conduct your own research into the topic. Try to conduct your own research into the topic.