Doubts linger over Commons reforms
Backbenchers’ attempts to regain control of much of the Commons’ agenda will require a vote, it was revealed yesterday.
Liberal Democrat Commons spokesman David Heath and backbencher Evan Harris are leading efforts to secure a House of Commons business committee, which would be tasked with deciding what debates are held.
At present all Commons business apart from a number of allotted opposition debates is decided by the government.
Yesterday the Commons debated the proposals put forward by the reform of the House of Commons committee, headed by Tony Wright. Lib Dem calls for a business committee did not form one of the four areas backed by the government.
Leader of the House Harriet Harman said she would not incorporate the proposals into the motions proposed by the government.
Instead the business committee proposal would be put to the Commons as an amendment to the main motion, to be debated on March 4th.
“All of this might appear to some people to be nothing more than procedure and technicalities, but I believe that it is important,” she explained.
“The relationship between the government and the House of Commons is important.”
Dr Harris asked: “Would not it be clearer if she cooperated with the process, made it clear that she supports the measure and joined others in proposing it?”
But Ms Harman refused to cooperate, saying that the government had to keep its “election promises” on the issue.
She added: “Although few, if any, of us have met someone on the doorstep who raises the matter of House of Commons procedures, people want an effective House of Commons, which scrutinises legislation and properly holds the government to account.”
The lengthy debate addressed a number of issues which will dramatically alter the way parliament works.
Among the proposals are plans to hold elections for the select committee chair posts, pilot a series of debates triggered by public petitions and consider reconvening the Commons in September, before the party conferences.
