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Eleventh Edition

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Chapter 16

The House of Commons under pressure

Chapter Summary

The capacity of the House of Commons to carry out its functions has been the subject of criticism for many years. Those criticisms have become more strident as the demands on MPs individually and collectively have increased. Some politicians see no need for change. Others advocate reform of the House, some through radical constitutional change, others through reform from within the institution. The debate itself takes place within a particular perspective of what constitutes power. Viewed from an institutional perspective, the House remains an essential and entrenched element of the British polity.

Learning Objectives

  • To identify contemporary challenges faced by the House of Commons.
  • To describe and analyse pressures on Members of Parliament.
  • To describe and analyse pressures on the House of Commons.
  • To detail different schools of thought on the reform of the House.
  • To identify different approaches to parliamentary power.

Quizzes

Test your knowledge with the Chapter 16 quizzes!

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Discussion Questions

  1. Public trust in the House of Commons remains low despite reforms. What are the key reasons for this, and what additional changes could be made to improve public confidence in Parliament?
  2. Different reform approaches advocate for either radical change, internal structural improvements, or maintaining the status quo. Which of these approaches do you find most persuasive, and why?

House of Commons Modernisation Committee – A committee reviewing parliamentary procedures and reforms. (https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/736/modernisation-committee/)

House of Commons Procedure Committee – A committee overseeing rules and procedures in the Commons. (https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/126/procedure-committee/)

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) – A body responsible for MPs’ expenses and pay regulation. (www.theipsa.org.uk)

Committee on Standards in Public Life – A committee advising on ethics and transparency in government. (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations//the-committee-on-standards-in-public-life)

UCL Constitution Unit – A research unit specializing in constitutional and parliamentary reform. (www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/research/parliament)

Flashcards

Refresh your knowledge of key terms with this chapter’s flashcards.

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