Why is it so important that Parliament resumes, and what should it be doing? Some thoughts, following last night's @BBCNewsnight interview. [THREAD] bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08…
1. Britain is a parliamentary democracy. At UK-level, the House of Commons is the only democratically elected institution we have. So if we believe in democracy, not just in the abstract but as the best way to govern, then we should strain every sinew to keep Parliament working.
2. In normal times, Parliament has three main functions: scrutiny, representation & legislation. Of those, legislation is currently the least important: most lawmaking has been suspended & ministers have the powers they need. But scrutiny & representation are more vital than ever
3. Ministers have been given emergency powers of a kind we have never seen before in peacetime. They are making decisions of life and death, and the consequences for the economy and the public finances will reverberate for decades. Power on that scale *must* be held to account.
4. So far, that task has fallen to the media - itself an important democratic institution. But there is no substitute for questions in Parliament, from the people we have elected to represent us, under conditions in which "misleading the House of Commons" is a resignation matter.
5. That "representative" function is crucial. Each MP forms a connecting link between their constituents & the crucible of power. Constituency work puts them in touch with an extraordinary range of interests from across the UK, whose voices will not always be heard in the press.
6. If we believe in "government by discussion" - the fundamental principle of a parliamentary democracy - then "scrutiny" and "representation" are not luxuries that we can only afford in good times. They are how we ensure good decision-making, which is more vital now than ever.
7. If we want "responsible Opposition", it must have outlets through which to engage critically & constructively with government, in a way for which it, too, can be held to account. If it's reduced to fighting for space in the media, pressure to oppose "irresponsibly" will grow.
8. Restoring Parliament will not be easy. In previous crises, like the two World Wars, the danger came from outside. In this case, uniquely, it comes from within: from sheer physical proximity to other human beings. So Parliament will have to find new ways of working remotely.
9. Some things will be lost. Parliament is a physical space: MPs vote by walking through lobbies; they crowd into the Chamber to ask questions & make speeches. But something may also be gained, as we learn how to scrutinise power without the antics that can disfigure the Chamber.
10. Crises like this one do not just test our institutions. They test our commitment to the principles on which they are founded. Do we regard parliamentary democracy as essential to good government, or as a disposable piece of theatre, to be dropped when it becomes inconvenient?
11. In this respect, Covid-19 crystallises an argument that ran through last year's prorogation crisis, too. Is the ability of Parliament to scrutinise government essential to our democracy? Or is it best cleared out of the way when government needs to act decisively?
12. As I argued in the @NewStatesman last year, parliamentary democracy has been in retreat of late. It now has a chance to prove that it can play a constructive role in tackling a national emergency. MPs must show they can rise to that challenge. [ENDS] newstatesman.com/politics/uk/20…
