<P> Between 1979 and 2010, the government had a safe majority which made the scrutiny of the government more difficult, although not impossible . The government could rely on its legislation being passed, although in some cases this did not happen . The Conservative--Liberal Democrat coalition complicated the party structure, since the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, served as Deputy Prime Minister under a Conservative Prime Minister . However, the legislature can oust a government through a vote of no confidence, as happened in 1979 . This was driven by a growth in the political party structure, enforced through party discipline, as increased suffrage meant a far wider remit of government policy platforms . </P> <P> Secondary legislation--where Parliament passes limited legislative rights to the executive through an Act of Parliament--is also problematic, although necessary for the efficient working of government . Legal rules should be relatable to the Acts of Parliament on which they are based, but this is not always possible . Proper scrutiny of government actions under secondary legislation is needed to prevent abuse . </P> <P> The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council remains an independent court, despite being organisationally part of the executive . The Lord Chancellor, a member of the Cabinet is no longer a judge since the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 . The Attorney General (England and Wales) and the Lord Advocate (Scotland) have "quasi-judicial roles" but are part of the executive . </P> <P> In terms of control, the independence of the judiciary is confirmed through statute, constitutional convention, and weight of opinion . In England and Wales, judges in superior courts cannot be arbitrarily dismissed by the executive, instead serving whilst in "good behaviour". Those in lower courts have similar protection from dismissal without due cause . Most members of tribunals cannot be dismissed by members of the government department of which they form part . This is important in cases of judicial review and other judicial methods of preventing government abuse of power . </P>

The relationship between the executive & legislative branches in britain is