Tag: Jessica Crowe

The future for Local Government in England could be bright, provided that it’s accountable

The future for Local Government in England could be bright, provided that it’s accountable

The mood inside local government is currently bleak, with worries about funding and demographic change chief amongst the sector’s concerns. Jessica Crowe of the Centre for Public Scrutiny argues that the future for local authorities can be bright, provided that its leaders are willing to take steps to create a more accountable future.  If I was feeling more pessimistic, […]

In the interests of equality and diversity, our representatives ought to be representative

In the interests of equality and diversity, our representatives ought to be representative

Should our political representatives be representative? And if so, does that mean that politicians are incapable of people who do not look and sound like them? Reflecting on the recently released national councillor census, the Centre for Public Scrutiny’s Jessica Crowe argues that representatives should be representative, with the whole democratic process benefiting from a […]

Essential scrutiny or a national embarrassment? Experts respond to the Hansard Society’s report on Prime Minister’s Questions

Essential scrutiny or a national embarrassment? Experts respond to the Hansard Society’s report on Prime Minister’s Questions

The Hansard Society recently published research which showed the public’s disapproval of the shouting and braying that takes place at the weekly Prime Minister’s Question time.  But is this merely a sign of a healthy democracy? We asked a number of experts on Parliament and democracy to respond to the research, and give their views […]

Selecting committee witnesses: experts back the call for a more even gender balance

Selecting committee witnesses: experts back the call for a more even gender balance

Democratic Audit recently published a new report which analysed the identity of select committee witnesses in view of their increasing prominence and influence. Our research found that there was a substantial gender imbalance between those who speak in front of committees. We asked a number of democracy experts to give their views on the research, the […]