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Dr. Ruth Fox, Director of the Hansard Society's Parliament & Government Programme, was on BBC Breakfast discussing the process of parliamentary privilage. This interview was also covered in the Independent:
"If it is a defence against almost any action that an MP takes in Parliament, in any relationship with their work, then I think this is going to be deeply damaging for the public. They will see that it is putting MPs above the public, giving them enhanced powers, making them essentially above the laws that they themselves make."
Read the coverage:
The Independent
BBC News
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Tuesday March 16 at 6.30pm, Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Speakers:
- Professor Philip Cowley (academic and author of Revolts and Rebellions: Parliamentary Voting Under Blair)
- Chris Mullin MP (Labour MP for Sunderland South)
- Cllr Diane Park (independent PPC for Halifax)
- Dr Richard Taylor (independent MP for Wyre Forest)
Chair: Fiona Booth (Chief Executive, Hansard Society)
This Democracy Forum will debate the effectiveness of independent MPs, whether it is likely that the forthcoming general election will produce a higher proportion of independents and what this means for the operation of Parliament and politics in general. Will independent MPs spend more time in their constituencies at the expense of Parliament? Can a large number of independent MPs without the influence of whips effect real change? How will independent MPs with diverging views work cohesively together?
This event is free to attend, please email hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk to register or register here.
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Thursday 25 February, 6.30pm, Portcullis House, Westminster.
Speaker: Peter Riddell (The Times & Hansard Society
Chair)
Introduction by Professor Steven Fielding (Joint editor of Parliamentary Affairs)
Chaired by Dr Ruth Fox (Director of Parliament & Government Programme, Hansard Society)
In 2009 the reputation of politicians and politics itself
reached rock bottom. Peter Riddell, Chair of the Hansard Society, in his speech
at the inaugural Parliamentary Affairs Annual lecture, will examine the role
of politicians in a modern representative democracy.
The speaker will give a lecture, followed by questions from
the audience. Attendance to this event is free. If you would like to bring a
guest please register them individually.
Register
for this event here or email hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk to register for this event
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In an open
letter to Leader of the House, Harriet Harman, seven organisations
concerned with parliamentary and constitutional reform have come together to
urge the Government and MPs not to act as a roadblock to reform of the House of
Commons before the general election.
The Better Government Initiative, Constitution Unit, Democratic Audit, Electoral
Reform Society, Hansard Society, Power 2010 and Unlock Democracy all support
implementation of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Reform of the
House of Commons (the ‘Wright Committee') which include:
- a Business Committee for the House of Commons to give MPs a greater
stake in the shaping of the parliamentary agenda, thus offseting the power of
the executive;
- reforms to the appointment of Select Committee members and chairs;
- new opportunities for public initiation of House of Commons proceedings,
for example through the trialling of a Petitions Committee.
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If you’re interested in doing a unique political internship in the Houses of Parliament, a UK government department, a campaign organisation or the media, as well as studying British politics at the London School of Economics, you can now apply for the Spring 2010 Hansard Scholars Programme. 2010 really will be a fascinating time to be involved in British politics and you can be a part of this – witnessing the changes, conflicts and developments first hand as they emerge.