Rebuilding the House

📖 The Scoop

This is the first report from the House of Commons Reform Committee of the 2009-10 session (HCP 372), and follows an earlier report (HCP 1117, session 2008-09). The Committee aims to make the Commons matter more, increase its vitality and rebalance its relationship with the executive, and to give the public a greater voice in parliamentary proceedings. In the first two chapters the Committee sets out the wider background to its establishment in July 2009; seeks a prompt debate and decision on its proposals and their phased implementation; and describes the principles that have guided its work. The Committee recommends that the Chairs of departmental and similar select committees be directly elected by secret ballot of the House using the alternative vote. The Committee also recommends that members of departmental and similar committees should be elected from within party groups by secret ballot, and further recommends: (a) a reduction in the size of a standard departmental committee to not more than 11; (b) a Standing Order ensuring the election of members and Chairs of select committees within six weeks of the Queen's Speech; (c) the election by the House of the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee.The report looks at the prospects for some form of "agenda initiative" which might enable the public to ensure that a given issue is debated in the House. It concludes that opening up the process of legislation and giving the public a real opportunity to influence the content of draft laws should be a priority in the new Parliament.

Genre: Political Science / General (fancy, right?)