11.2.2 Executive's Influence & Dominance Over Parliament

The Influence and Effectiveness of the Executive in Dominating Parliament

Control of Parliamentary Agenda:

• The government, through its leadership of the executive, largely controls the legislative timetable in Parliament. This control over the schedule allows the executive to prioritize its own legislative agenda, often leaving limited time for opposition parties to propose or debate alternative policies. This power enables the government to shape the flow of parliamentary business to its advantage, ensuring that its policies are given precedence.

Party Discipline and Whipping System:

• The whipping system is a crucial tool used by the government to maintain discipline among its MPs. Government whips ensure that MPs vote in line with party directives, particularly on key votes related to government legislation. This system helps the executive maintain a unified party front, minimizing rebellions and increasing the likelihood that government proposals will pass through Parliament with minimal resistance.

Majority Control and Legislative Success:

• When the government holds a substantial majority in the House of Commons, it significantly enhances its ability to pass legislation. A large majority allows the executive to rely on the support of its MPs, reducing the chances of defeat in parliamentary votes. This dominance over Parliament is particularly evident in governments with strong majorities, where backbench dissent is less likely to impact the passage of legislation.

Use of Secondary Legislation:

Prime Ministerial Patronage:

• The Prime Minister's power of patronage, including the ability to appoint ministers, peers, and other influential positions, serves as a powerful tool in securing loyalty within the governing party.
• Ambitious MPs are often motivated to support the government in the hope of receiving promotions or other rewards, this is often called the 'payroll' system.
• This patronage system strengthens the executive's control over Parliament by aligning the interests of MPs with those of the government.

Royal Prerogative Powers:

• The executive retains certain powers under the royal prerogative, which can be exercised without the need for parliamentary approval. These include the ability to deploy military forces, grant pardons, and manage foreign affairs. While some of these powers have become more subject to parliamentary scrutiny in recent years, they still provide the government with a significant degree of autonomy, allowing it to act decisively without requiring immediate parliamentary consent.

Influence over the House of Lords:

• While the House of Lords is less directly controlled by the government, the executive still exerts influence, particularly through the appointment of life peers. By nominating individuals who are supportive of its agenda, the government can subtly influence the composition and decisions of the Lords. However, the Lords' independence and the presence of crossbenchers often limit the government's ability to fully dominate this chamber.

Challenges to Executive Dominance:

• Despite the executive's significant influence, its dominance over Parliament is not absolute. Factors such as a small parliamentary majority, internal party divisions, and strong opposition leadership can weaken the government's control. For example, minority governments or those with fragile coalitions often struggle to pass legislation, as they cannot always rely on the support of all their MPs.

Recent Trends and Reforms:

• Recent reforms, such as the establishment of the Backbench Business Committee and the election of select committee chairs by secret ballot, have empowered Parliament to challenge the executive more effectively. These changes have made it harder for the government to dominate Parliament entirely, as backbench MPs and select committees have become more independent and assertive in holding the executive to account.