Parliamentary sovereignty refers to the legal control the UK parliament has within UK constitution. Due to Brexit, many areas of governing have returned back to parliament and thus, this essay will argue that leaving the EU has decisively returned sovereignty to UK parliament.

Opposition refers to parties who sit in Parliament but are not in government, such as the Lib Dems and SNP, with the most prominent being His Majesty’s opposition – the Labour party. Opposition parties play an effective role in scrutiny seen through their involvement in the legislative process, PMQs/UQs and select committees. Therefore, opposition parties play a key role in holding the government to account, meaning they are certainly effective in the House of Commons.

Do backbenchers have much influence today?

Due to the Wright reforms and the increase in unstable governments, it is clear that the influence of backbenchers has increased over the past two decades. And, although it may have been the case that with passing legislation in the past, backbenchers have been very weak, today, they are far more willing to stand up to party whips and leadership.