✨NEW REPORT: Taking Back Control✨
A new report by Unit Director Meg Russell and @danielgover argues that the House of Commons should govern its own time – and makes proposals for wresting back that control from the government. @UKandEU
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ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
A new report by Unit Director Meg Russell and @danielgover argues that the House of Commons should govern its own time – and makes proposals for wresting back that control from the government. @UKandEU
Thread 🧵👇 1/8
ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
There have been numerous recent controversies over control of the Commons’ time
Think of Brexit headlines about MPs ‘seizing the agenda’, or clashes over procedure during the pandemic. At the heart of both lie questions about who decides what the Commons discusses & when⏱️
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Think of Brexit headlines about MPs ‘seizing the agenda’, or clashes over procedure during the pandemic. At the heart of both lie questions about who decides what the Commons discusses & when⏱️
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At present, the government has significant agenda control 💪. And it has monopoly control over prorogation & recall, which determine whether the Commons can sit at all.
Our new report explores this system, its problems, and what can be done.
Key conclusions include:
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Our new report explores this system, its problems, and what can be done.
Key conclusions include:
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🔷The government has too much control. The resulting clashes over the Commons’ time have fed hostility at Westminster & anti-parliamentary rhetoric externally.
🔷The Commons should control its own agenda. This could be done through a weekly amendable business motion.
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🔷The Commons should control its own agenda. This could be done through a weekly amendable business motion.
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🔷To protect minority rights, opposition & backbench time should be reformed to provide a minimum fortnightly/monthly allocation, rather than a sessional one.
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🔷The Commons also needs more power over its sitting dates – otherwise ministers could e.g. use prorogation to stop unwanted Commons debate
🔷Prorogation should need Commons approval. And the Commons should have a ⬆️ role in setting recess dates – & be able to recall itself
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🔷Prorogation should need Commons approval. And the Commons should have a ⬆️ role in setting recess dates – & be able to recall itself
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🔷 Some of these changes could be quickly & easily implemented. Others engage fundamental principles, and a formal review would be appropriate.
@CommonsProcCom could do this, or a new ad hoc body, perhaps under the Speaker's auspices.
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@CommonsProcCom could do this, or a new ad hoc body, perhaps under the Speaker's auspices.
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Find a fuller summary of the report in the authors’ blog, linked below.
Or, alternatively, follow this link to go direct to the full report (72pp pdf): ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
constitution-unit.com/2021/01/19/tak…
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Or, alternatively, follow this link to go direct to the full report (72pp pdf): ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
constitution-unit.com/2021/01/19/tak…
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