Questions

1. What is a backbench MP?
2. What are the main functions of parliament?
3. Why is the House of Commons the pre-eminent chamber?
4. Summarise the main functions of the House of Commons.
5. What is the importance of representative democracy?
6. What is parliamentary privilege and why is it important?
7. What is exclusive cognisance?
8. What is contempt of parliament?

Answers

1. A backbencher is any MP who is neither a government minister nor a member of the Shadow Cabinet.
2. Its two main functions are scrutinising government and making law.
3. Because it is democratically elected.
4. Sustaining the government (the government must work through parliament), legislating, scrutinising government actions, providing the government with the finances it needs to run the UK (only the Commons can authorise taxes and vote for ‘supply’), facilitating a credible opposition, ensuring the voices of citizens are heard.
5. Producing a representative parliament. Ensuring the voices of citizens are heard is a key part of the Commons’ work as the democratic chamber of Parliament. As democratically elected law-makers, their connection to the people through democratic representation gives legitimacy to their law-making authority. Voters can choose fresh representatives at the next election.  
6. Parliamentary privilege refers to the collective rights enjoyed by each House of Parliament and by members of each House individually. It protects parliament’s internal affairs from external interference and enables parliament to conduct its core business effectively, preserving its independence.
7. The right of each House of Parliament to regulate its own proceedings and have sole jurisdiction over its own internal affairs.
8. Any act or omission which obstructs or impedes either House of Parliament in performance of its functions, or any member or officer of the House.