- SIZE OF MAJORITY
- FPTP usually delivers a working majority.
- A government with a large majority is in a commanding position, able to push legislation through by using whip system and controlling timetable – the larger the majority, the more difficult for other parties to defeat/amend gov bills.
- Blair after 2001 election – maj of 167 – able to withstand rebellion of 139 Lab MPs over Iraq.
- Minority govs have much more difficulty in passing leg – May had to rely on DUP after 2017 election.
- BACKBENCH MPs
- BBBC
- Rebellions have become more frequent – rebelled on 35% of votes 2010-15.
- 114 Conservative MPs, including ministerial aides, backed an amendment regretting the omission of a referendum law in 2013.
- If whips expect significant opposition, they might withdraw a bill e.g. Conservatives dropped tax changes in 2015 on risk of rebellion.
- SELECT COMMITTEES/LORDS
- Amendments made in the Lords often make gov re-think legislation – the Lords made 374 amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill. These were all agreed by the Commons, and the bill received royal assent in 2012.
- 40% of SC recommendations are accepted by the gov.
- The Home Affairs Committee issued a report on the ‘Detention of Terrorist Suspects’ in 2006 which rejected the proposed 90-day detention period without trial for terrorist suspects – they recommended a maximum 28-day detention period instead and proposals were accepted.