By David Williams
27 November 2009
A committee of MPs has recommended a set of measures to restore public faith in the political process by increasing the authority of Parliament.
But the report, by the reform of the House of Commons select committee, was given a lukewarm response by the government. Experts have also been divided on whether it will lead to real improvements in accountability.
The 18-strong cross-party panel, led by public administration select committee chair Tony Wright, was set up in July by Prime Minister Gordon Brown following the scandal over MPs’ expenses.
Its report, published on November 24, recommends reconfiguring select committees to make them more powerful and more independent of the executive and party whips.
Under the committee’s plans, members and chairs would be directly elected by MPs, rather than being appointed by the prime minister.
There are also proposals to increase the role and relevance of backbenchers, including the equivalent of a day per week of House time to be spent on issues nominated by a backbench business committee.
Wright also called for the next Parliament to consider how the process of legislation could be opened up to allow the public to have real influence over the content of draft laws, and for criteria to be drawn up for public petitions requiring debate in the House.
Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman said Parliament would debate the findings, but appeared to prioritise the government’s legislative programme.
Shadow leader of the Commons Sir George Young was more enthusiastic, urging ministers not to squander the opportunity for reform.
Akash Paun, senior researcher at the Institute for Government, told Public Finance the report was ‘credible and workable’, and had highlighted important flaws in the system.
‘There is clearly cross-party consensus on the need to strengthen Parliament,’ he said. ‘This sets out some not quite revolutionary but important steps forward.’
He added that the general election, with the possibility of a change in government, presented a timely opportunity to put the reforms in place.
Colin Talbot, professor of public policy at Manchester Business School, said the report’s recommendations were sensible, but the committee’s limited remit meant it had been unable to address the major issues.
‘The biggest issue is the role of Parliament in agreeing government spending decisions – they approve Budget Bills without any amendments, which is unheard of in any other western democracy.’
27 November 2009
A committee of MPs has recommended a set of measures to restore public faith in the political process by increasing the authority of Parliament.
But the report, by the reform of the House of Commons select committee, was given a lukewarm response by the government. Experts have also been divided on whether it will lead to real improvements in accountability.
The 18-strong cross-party panel, led by public administration select committee chair Tony Wright, was set up in July by Prime Minister Gordon Brown following the scandal over MPs’ expenses.
Its report, published on November 24, recommends reconfiguring select committees to make them more powerful and more independent of the executive and party whips.
Under the committee’s plans, members and chairs would be directly elected by MPs, rather than being appointed by the prime minister.
There are also proposals to increase the role and relevance of backbenchers, including the equivalent of a day per week of House time to be spent on issues nominated by a backbench business committee.
Wright also called for the next Parliament to consider how the process of legislation could be opened up to allow the public to have real influence over the content of draft laws, and for criteria to be drawn up for public petitions requiring debate in the House.
Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman said Parliament would debate the findings, but appeared to prioritise the government’s legislative programme.
Shadow leader of the Commons Sir George Young was more enthusiastic, urging ministers not to squander the opportunity for reform.
Akash Paun, senior researcher at the Institute for Government, told Public Finance the report was ‘credible and workable’, and had highlighted important flaws in the system.
‘There is clearly cross-party consensus on the need to strengthen Parliament,’ he said. ‘This sets out some not quite revolutionary but important steps forward.’
He added that the general election, with the possibility of a change in government, presented a timely opportunity to put the reforms in place.
Colin Talbot, professor of public policy at Manchester Business School, said the report’s recommendations were sensible, but the committee’s limited remit meant it had been unable to address the major issues.
‘The biggest issue is the role of Parliament in agreeing government spending decisions – they approve Budget Bills without any amendments, which is unheard of in any other western democracy.’
