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Explore various gripes and urgent need for reform in parliamentary institutions. Discuss roles, criticisms, and notable reports suggesting necessary changes for improvement of legislative processes. Evaluate the Wakeham Report, White Paper recommendations, and reactions to proposed reforms.
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starter activity Click to reveal task sheet Read the statements about Parliamentary institutions and list your gripes!
Roles and criticisms of Parliament • Legislature – the domination of the Commons by the majority party undermines this role • Scrutinising chambers – powers of backbenchers, committees and Lords are all severely limited • Recruiting pool – careerism compromises independence of judgement, PMs can bring in non-MPs • Debating – limitations on time, whips
Sleaze and scandals • ‘Cash for questions’ (Neil Hamilton & Tim Smith) & sex scandals raised questions about standards of behaviour in public life • Martin Bell (BBC journalist) stood as anti-sleaze independent candidate (1997) • Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life (1995)
Nolan Report • Chaired by Lord Justice Nolan • Recommended a code of conduct for MPs, Select Committee on Standards & Privileges & appointment of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (Sir George Downey)
Other reports into reform of HoC • Norton Report (2000) • Commissioned by leader of Opposition, chaired by Philip Norton (Lord Norton of Louth) • Recommended broadening of system of select committees to allow closer scrutiny & lessen financial irregularities, greater transparency in government
Other reports into reform of HoC • Newton Report • Set up by Hansard Society, chaired by Tony Newton (Lord Newton of Braintree) • Strengthening of select committee system and better communication with public
The Wakeham Report • In 1999, Royal Commission on Reform of the HoL under the Conservative peer, Lord Wakeham • Made recommendations for the second stage of Lords reform • Made 132 wide-ranging proposals on the recruitment of peers and changes to the procedures of the House Lord Wakeham
Recommendations of Wakeham • A new second chamber of about 550 members, largely appointed • Regional elections (using PR) for the elected minority • An independent Appointments Commission to ensure party, gender and ethnic balance • The continuation of the role as the highest court of appeal • A reduction in the number of Church of England bishops to allow for appointments representing other religions & beliefs • A 15 year fixed term office • The report offered three options for the number of peers to be elected – 65, 87 or 195, the preferred option being 87
Government White Paper • November 2001, govt. White Paper announcing its plans for the second reform process • Broadly followed the recommendations of Wakeham • No new functions would be given to the second chamber - its role would still be to provide constitutional checks and balances
Recommendations of White Paper • Removal of all hereditary peers • 20% of the House to be directly elected – by PR in large, multi-member regional constituencies • 80% of the House to be appointed • quotas for appointees, ensuring a minimum of 30% men and women and a broad representation of ethnic minority and regional groups • fixed terms for new members • Church of England bishops remained • No automatic place for leaders of other faiths
Your task You are going to hold a ‘Boxing debate’ on the motion, ‘This house believes that the House of Lords should be replaced with an elected second chamber.’ Nominate one person to be the judge and referee and divide the class into two equal halves.
