110 likes | 211 Views
Participation in legislation. An English Perspective. My background. Worked for Member of Parliament 1997-98 Worked as Parliamentary Officer for childcare organisation and NCVO Now work on the Compact. What is needed for better legislation. Better policy development before legislation
E N D
Participation in legislation An English Perspective
My background • Worked for Member of Parliament 1997-98 • Worked as Parliamentary Officer for childcare organisation and NCVO • Now work on the Compact
What is needed for better legislation • Better policy development before legislation • Better legislative process (including scrutiny of legislation) • Civil society working together to improve its effectiveness to influence policy and legislation
Policy development before legislation Government needs to: • Be more open • Provide information proposals and policy development, and how to take part • Carry out effective consultation, not just written but actively engage those affected
Policy development before legislation Civil society needs to: • Work together to enable effective responses and to develop skills, and to spread information • Work with others (eg coalitions) to make their voice heard • Be clear about how organisations came to their views in response to consultations
Traditional legislative process Legislative process in England is poor: • Executive too powerful • Legislation often rushed (one year) • Lack of resources for scrutiny • Commons too politicised • Lack of opportunity for NGOs to be involved • Parliament doesn’t like outsiders
But some improvements… • Draft legislation • More openness • Opportunities for using new technology • But still more to do – most bills aren’t draft and MPs still lack resources
Civil society and legislation • Disseminate information about legislation • Help build skills of civil society • Persuade Parliament to improve engagement with civil society • Build coalitions to influence process
Good legislation / bad legislation • Charities Bill: • Strategy Unit review • Home Office consultation • Draft bill • Criminal Records Bureau: • Rushed before the election • Doesn’t work
European Union • 60-80% of UK legislation starts in EU • EU institutions need to improve their dialogue with civil society • EU constitution and “Euro Compact” • European civil society working together – Eurogroup in England, CEDAG in Europe
…For further information about the Compact See www.thecompact.org.uk Email: compact@ncvo-vol.org.uk