The literature illustrates that the use of parliamentary instruments is in some cases related to the position of a Member of Parliament (MP) on the list of candidates in the upcoming election. The...Show moreThe literature illustrates that the use of parliamentary instruments is in some cases related to the position of a Member of Parliament (MP) on the list of candidates in the upcoming election. The theory therefore assumes that performing certain activities is rewarded with a high position. If an MP has obtained this high position, he will therefore have to prove himself again with a view to re-selection. Based on this reasoning, it therefore appears that an MP with a long term of office is active in the use of parliamentary instruments. However, there is still a gap in the literature with regard to the relationship between the seniority of MPs and the use of parliamentary instruments. This fully quantitative analysis examined whether the length of office of an MP correlates with the use of parliamentary instruments. The parliamentary instruments examined are motions, amendments, oral parliamentary questions, written parliamentary questions and bill proposals. Subsequently, in the case of motions, amendments, written parliamentary questions and bill proposals, a distinction was made between first submitters and submitters in combination with co-sponsors. Many of these parliamentary instruments are very clearly not significant, but both oral and written parliamentary questions do have a positively significant effect with seniority. In the case of written parliamentary questions this applies to both first submitters and first submitters in combination with co-sponsors. However, in the case of written parliamentary questions, the significant effect disappears if control variables are included in the analysis. The significance effect remains for oral parliamentary questions. The results of this research may not be groundbreaking, but they do provide interesting insights into the use of parliamentary instruments in relation to seniority, especially for the case of the Dutch House of Representatives. There are also other parliamentary instruments that could be analyzed, this can be part of follow-up research.Show less
