It is now a more committee-oriented, questioning, less predictable body, no longer willing to accept that government has a monopoly as an information supplier. Let me take the best of times, the relationship to the executive in the United Kingdom.įor the century after 1867, the House of Commons was essentially a chamber-oriented, predictable body, accepting what it was told by government. Parliament lacks the confidence and the resources to mount an effective counter-offensive. There has tended to be what may be characterised as a ‘tin hats’ mentality, sheltering in the bunker and trying to escape the barrage of media missiles. Resources are devoted to educating people about the institution, but not necessarily to defending it from scandal and a constant barrage of criticism. Yet what we are witnessing is a situation where both Houses are subject to negative coverage and public dissatisfaction. The more that happens the more important it is that people have a voice through their parliament. That core, pivotal – and exclusive – role, for no other body can fulfil it, becomes even more important as decisions are seen as being taken further and further away from the people. Enoch Powell observed that the House of Commons is the body through which the people, through their representatives, speak to the government, and the body through which government speaks to the people. The situation is different in its relationship to the people. That is not to say that it has reached an ideal state – there is more than can, and should, be done – but it is in a better state than it has been for more than 150 years. Both Houses have undergone substantial change, making Parliament as effective as it has ever been since the passage of the Second Reform Act in 1867. The extent to which this has occurred is not fully recognised. Both Houses have become more confident and more able in fulfilling their core functions of scrutiny and calling government to account. In its relationship to the executive, there is good news to report. We – that is, students of politics – have tended to focus on Parliament in terms of its relationship to the executive and not on its relationship to the people. They are the worst of times, certainly the worst of times in contemporary history, in its relationship to the public.
They are the best of times in its relationship to the executive. For Parliament, these are the best of times, these are the worst of times. Michael Ryle and I took a similar approach to parliamentary reform. It is a great honour to be invited to give the Michael Ryle Memorial Lecture. Professor The Lord Norton of Louth Introduction Delivered in Speaker’s House, Westminster, on 19 July 2016 Speaking for Parliament
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