etv parliament needs further reform

3 para

struggles to hold executive to account

hofl legitimacy problem

law making role often constrained by gov control

p1 struggles to hold executive to account

yes: pmqs highly adversarial and performative eg b.j frequently avoided direct answers during covid scrutiny. legislation during crisis: coronavirus act 2020 passed rapidly w limited scrutiny. use of henry v111 clauses allowed ministers to amend law without full parliamentary approval (enabling acts-delegating pwr w little scruitiny. over 3000 statutory instruments used every year. select comittees lack enforcement pwr eg culture media sport comittee 2019 report on facebook limited practical impact

no: wright reforms 2010 (select comittee chairs done by secret ballot. urgent questions: increased sig since 2010 force ministers to appear at short notice eg on brexit negociations, covid ppe contracts

p2 hofl legitimacy

yes: unelected, unnacountable. lords over represent older,wealthier demographics, commons historically under represented women and ethnic minorities. electoral reform required for commons too- over and under representation lab 60% 30% votes. reform 14% winning 5 seats but lib dem polled 12% but 72 seats.

no: hofl act 1999 removed over 800 hereditary peers, improve legitimacy. hofl reform acts 2014 and 2026 introduced retirement and disciplinary mechanisms + removed remaining 92 peers. record number of female and bme elected mps. during brexit withdrawal agreement, lords improved legislative detail. many r former judges,diplomats economists. risks of further reform: fully elected lords challenge primacy of hofc. conservative: lords value is in tradition and xp developed organically

p3 constrained by gov control

yes: xmas tree bills: large complex bills w numerous unreleted amendments “hung” on them eg eu withdrawal act 2018 criticised for complexity and limited scrutiny. gov use of programme motions to restrict debate, whipped votes to block amendments, calls for: greater committee involvement at bill stages and more meaningful votes on amendments.

no: strong executive control enables: delivery of manifesto commitments, clear lines of accountability. over empowered parl could: undermine govs electoral mandate, slow decision making during crises. conserv: traditions eg adversarial debate andd strong party discipline promote pragmatism and stability.