Tag: Parliament

How Private Members’ legislation improved local government social value

How Private Members’ legislation improved local government social value

Chris Game assesses the efficacy of one of Parliament’s most antiquated procedures, the Private Members’ Bill, and finds that, though they have proliferated to little effect, in some notable cases, including local government procurement, they have instigated considerable reform.

Book Review | Dramas at Westminster: Select Committees and the Quest for Accountability by Marc Geddes

Book Review | Dramas at Westminster: Select Committees and the Quest for Accountability by Marc Geddes

In Dramas at Westminster: Select Committees and the Quest for Accountability, Marc Geddes aims to open up everyday life along the committee corridors of the Palace of Westminster to examine how the UK Parliament performs the role of scrutiny. The book tells us a great deal about the public and hidden power of select committees at a time when scrutiny is more vital than it has ever been, writes Ben Worthy.

Why can’t some parliamentary select committees get female witnesses?

Why can’t some parliamentary select committees get female witnesses?

In their nearly eponymous 1995 hit, Reverend Black Grape, I’m a Celebrity runners-up and Bargain Hunt cheats, Black Grape, asked ‘Can I get a witness?’ In 2019, why is it that some select committees seemingly find it difficult to get female witnesses to give evidence at their sessions? Marc Geddes, Mark Goodwin, Stephen Holden Bates and Steve McKay find that some of the answer may well be found in the gendered make-up of the committees themselves.

How Parliament’s campaign of attrition forced the government to open up about Brexit

How Parliament’s campaign of attrition forced the government to open up about Brexit

The real battle over Brexit has not been about whether Parliament will get a final vote, writes Ben Worthy (Birkbeck University of London). The true fight is about information – about what kind of Brexit the government wants, and what its impact is likely to be. In this, Parliament has been rather successful. Pressure from select committees and […]

Women are still outnumbered on Commons select committees

Women are still outnumbered on Commons select committees

Figures from the Select Committee Data Archive Project reveal that women are still outnumbered on Commons select committees, despite a steady increase of female MPs in Westminster. Sophie Wilson looks at the numbers on gender balance of select committees since 1979 and what they mean for parliamentary scrutiny. MPs Tessa Munt and Craig Whittaker during […]

Brexit, Corbyn, Article 50: in 2017, we need to take back our parliamentary democracy

Brexit, Corbyn, Article 50: in 2017, we need to take back our parliamentary democracy

Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn’s election and Article 50: 2016 saw three profound shocks to the integrity of Britain’s parliamentary system, writes Robert Saunders. Together, they amount to a quiet revolution – potentially the most significant recasting of how Britain is governed since the coming of universal suffrage. Understanding how this has happened, why it matters and what […]

What’s going wrong with English Votes for English Laws – and how can it be improved?

What’s going wrong with English Votes for English Laws – and how can it be improved?

The ‘English Votes for English Laws’ procedural rules have attracted much criticism since they came into use a year ago – variously described as complex, divisive and not making England’s voice heard. Daniel Gover and Michael Kenny look at how EVEL is working, and how it could be improved. Similar Posts‘English Votes for English Laws’ —a viable answer to the […]

Parliamentary arrangements after a Labour split might be easily solved, but bigger questions will be more difficult

Parliamentary arrangements after a Labour split might be easily solved, but bigger questions will be more difficult

In the post-referendum turmoil facing the Labour Party, there are increasing questions about whether the party might split. Despite shadow cabinet resignations and a Parliamentary Labour Party vote of no confidence, Jeremy Corbyn seems determined to hang on, and to force a contest if necessary. If that proceeds, a split looks very likely. But what […]

How effective is Parliament in controlling UK government and representing citizens?

How effective is Parliament in controlling UK government and representing citizens?

As part of our 2017 Audit of UK Democracy, Artemis Photiadou and Patrick Dunleavy consider how well the House of Commons functions as a legislature. Is Parliament still an effective focus of national debate and close control of the executive? And how well does the Commons function in scrutinising and passing legislation, or monitoring policy […]

The contemporary Queen’s Speech is more of a wish list than a legislative programme

The contemporary Queen’s Speech is more of a wish list than a legislative programme

The Queen’s Speech marks the opening of Parliament, and sees the monarch read our a pre-prepared speech stating the government’s legislative plans. Here, Philip Catney argues that these days, the speech represents more a representation of the government’s aspirations rather than their concrete plans. Similar PostsHow Private Members’ legislation improved local government social valueBook Review […]