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MPs seek increased Commons power Boost role of backbenchers - MPs
(about 23 hours later)
MPs must wrest control of the Commons from the government to restore people's faith in politics, says a committee set up in the wake of the expenses scandal. Backbench MPs must be given more power to hold the government to account to restore faith in politics, a committee set up after the expenses row says.
The cross-party House of Commons Reform Committee warns Parliament is "in crisis" following the scandal and should be reformed within two months. It proposes backbenchers get more power to call debates, to set the agenda and choose who sits on scrutiny committees.
It recommends backbench MPs should have more power to call debates and calls for greater scrutiny of ministers. Chairman Tony Wright said MPs "took a beating" over expenses but now had the chance to "show we can do business".
The government said it would make time for a Commons debate on the ideas. The committee says its findings should be implemented in two months - MPs will get the chance to debate the proposals.
Shadow leader of the Commons Sir George Young said the Conservatives welcomed the report and its recommendations were "broadly in line" with what the party had already pledged. The House of Commons Reform Committee was set up as the expenses scandal broke earlier this year.
The 18-member reform committee was set up as the expenses scandal broke earlier this year.
'Flourishing''Flourishing'
In a report, it calls for the Commons to approve within two months proposals including setting up a secretly elected backbench business committee to reassert the role of MPs in setting the agenda. Its proposals include setting up a secretly elected backbench committee, which would be responsible for "non ministerial" business - work with the government and opposition on a weekly agenda for the Commons.
We believe that the House of Commons has to become a more vital institution, less sterile in how it operates Labour MP Tony Wright One day a week, Commons business should be dictated by backbenchers, it says.
Each week one day of Commons time should be dictated by backbenchers and the weekly schedule should be set by a committee of government, opposition and backbench representatives, the committee adds. And the public should get more of a say over what MPs debate - using devices such as "e-petitions" on a special Commons website.
It also says public petitions of Parliament should be treated more seriously and sometimes prompt debates in the chamber. They would need an MP's backing but could be signed by anyone and presented to the Commons - and some could end up being debated.
What we are required to do essentially is to cheer for our own side, to jeer at the other side and to look after the problems of our constituents - I think people want Parliament to do a bit more than that Labour MP Tony Wright
The MPs recommend that Commons select committees be streamlined and given more independence from the government, so they can scrutinise Whitehall more thoroughly.The MPs recommend that Commons select committees be streamlined and given more independence from the government, so they can scrutinise Whitehall more thoroughly.
Their chairmen and women ought to be elected by the whole House, rather than effectively agreed between the party whips as at present, the report says. Their chairmen and women ought to be elected by the whole House rather than effectively be agreed between the party whips as at present, the report says.
Mr Wright, a Labour MP, told the BBC: "We don't think Parliament is as effective as it might be. We know that it's taken a beating because of the expenses scandal ... but the fact is Parliament wasn't effective enough before the scandal happened and I think we have now got a chance to show we can do business ."
'Anti-politics''Anti-politics'
It says: "A flourishing representative democracy demands an effective and vital House of Commons, with strong government improved by strong accountability. He said he felt Parliament did not support MPs' strengths sufficiently, adding: "I think what we are required to do essentially is to cheer for our own side, to jeer at the other side and to look after the problems of our constituents. I think people want Parliament to do a bit more than that."
"This is also the best antidote to the political disengagement and anti-politics that characterises our age, and which is dangerous in its consequences." The report says making an "effective and vital House of Commons" is "the best antidote to the political disengagement and anti-politics that characterises our age".
It says: "Public confidence in the House and in members as a whole has been low for some time, but not as low as now. It is not too much to say that the institution is in crisis."
The committee adds: "We believe that the House of Commons has to become a more vital institution, less sterile in how it operates, better able to reflect public concerns, more transparent, and more vigorous in its task of scrutiny and accountability."
This is just the start of a long-overdue process, but a process that is at last taking Parliament in the right direction Sir George Young,Shadow leader of the CommonsThis is just the start of a long-overdue process, but a process that is at last taking Parliament in the right direction Sir George Young,Shadow leader of the Commons
It also says: "At present many members do not see the point in attending debates or making the House the primary focus of their activities. It also says: "At present, many members do not see the point in attending debates or making the House the primary focus of their activities.
"In order to address this, we must give members back a sense of ownership of their own institution, the ability to set its agenda and take meaningful decisions, and ensure the business of the chamber is responsive to public concerns." "In order to address this, we must give members back a sense of ownership of their own institution, the ability to set its agenda and take meaningful decisions."
Commons leader Harriet Harman said the government would consider the report and respond in detail. The government said it would make time for a Commons debate on the ideas. Commons leader Harriet Harman said the government would consider the report and respond in detail.
She added: "Since 1997, there have been many changes to achieve better scrutiny and more accountability. She added: "Today's report is a further step following action the House has taken to modernise its procedures.
"Today's report is a further step following action the House has taken to modernise its procedures.
"We will continue to reform Parliament to strengthen the role of backbenchers and to support the proper role of the House of Commons to scrutinise government and hold it to account.""We will continue to reform Parliament to strengthen the role of backbenchers and to support the proper role of the House of Commons to scrutinise government and hold it to account."
Shadow leader of the Commons Sir George Young said the government must not "squander this opportunity for reform".Shadow leader of the Commons Sir George Young said the government must not "squander this opportunity for reform".
"Harriet Harman must ensure that these proposals are debated and voted on quickly so that the House can put in place some changes, particularly to select committees, before the general election," he said."Harriet Harman must ensure that these proposals are debated and voted on quickly so that the House can put in place some changes, particularly to select committees, before the general election," he said.
"This is just the start of a long-overdue process, but a process that is at last taking Parliament in the right direction.""This is just the start of a long-overdue process, but a process that is at last taking Parliament in the right direction."