Another core principle of the UK constitution is that the government depends on the confidence of parliament – which in practice means the confidence of the House of Commons. [...] In terms of the relationship between government and parliament, it is important to remember that MPs are actually the bosses – due to the confidence relationship, and the power over legislation. [...] At the start of the 2024 Labour government, the Lord Chancellor and Attorney General both emphasised the importance of the rule of law. [...] Given the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, it is particularly important that MPs recognise their responsibility to protect the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. [...] Given the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, it is particularly important that MPs recognise their responsibility to protect the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary.
- Pages
- 34
- Published in
- United Kingdom
Table of Contents
- Contents 3
- 1. The Role of the MP 4
- FURTHER READING 5
- 2. The Centrality of Parliament 6
- FURTHER READING 7
- 3. Parliament and Government 8
- FURTHER READING 9
- THE MONARCHY AND THE PREROGATIVE 10
- 4. Parliament and the Quality 12
- FURTHER READING 13
- 5. Parliament and Opposition 14
- FURTHER READING 15
- 6. Parliament and Devolution 16
- FURTHER READING 17
- 7. Parliament and the Courts 18
- FURTHER READING 19
- THE SUPREME COURT CASES OVER BREXIT 20
- 8. Parliament and the Public 22
- FURTHER READING 23
- 9. Parliament and Political 24
- Parties 24
- FURTHER READING 25
- 10. MPs and the Reputation 26
- FURTHER READING 27
- PUBLIC OPINION ON PARLIAMENT 28
- Summary of Key Points 30
- 1. MPs have busy day-to-day jobs and numerous responsibilities. But they also 30
- 2. MPs need to be very aware of the high level of constitutional responsibility they 30
- UK parliament. 30
- 3. Scrutiny of government is a core responsibility of MPs. In terms of the relationship 30
- 4. Overall MPs centrality and visibility mean that they have very important 30
- This applies to their work both inside and outside parliament. 30
- 5. In the UK system the government-opposition relationship can often look 31
- 6. Notwithstanding formal parliamentary sovereignty there are expectations that 31
- Westminster will not interfere in key policy areas that are devolved. MPs need 31
- 7. Given the principle of parliamentary sovereignty it is particularly important that MPs 31
- 8. Through their representative roles MPs have an important linkage function 31
- A key challenge is balancing short-term responsiveness to voters with acting in 31
- 9. A great deal of what MPs do involves working either inside parties or across 31
- 10. Parliament is symbolic of and central to the functioning of UK democracy. 31
- When parliaments reputation falters public faith in our democracy is likely to 31
- Notes on Contributors 32
