Tag: Louise Thompson
We shouldn’t focus solely on the Syria vote when assessing Parliament’s power over military deployments
In August 2013, the House of Commons rejected a Government proposal to intervene in Syria following that country’s regime’s use of chemical weapons. The vote proved to be most consequential, with some arguing that it led to the United States ultimately withdrawing its proposals to lead the campaign against the Syrian tyrant Bashar Al-Assad. Louise […]
Democracy is the biggest loser when parliament descends into farce
A recent House of Commons debate saw confusion reign over a Government motion on the European Arrest Warrant, with proceedings very quickly descending into farce. Louise Thompson argues that when this kind of shenanigans takes hold of Parliament, it is little wonder that people see MPs are being untrustworthy, partisan, and self-serving, with British democracy the […]
The Commons Clerk row is more than just a parochial dispute and has larger implications for the workings of Parliament
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, has recently come under fire from some critics for apparently supporting the candidacy of a supposedly under-qualified Australian to replace the outgoing Clerk of the House of Commons, Sir Robert Rogers. Louise Thompson argues that although the row is of minimal interest to the public, it […]
Selecting committee witnesses: experts back the call for a more even gender balance
Democratic Audit recently published a new report which analysed the identity of select committee witnesses in view of their increasing prominence and influence. Our research found that there was a substantial gender imbalance between those who speak in front of committees. We asked a number of democracy experts to give their views on the research, the […]
Book Review: The British Constitution: Continuity and Change – A Festschrift for Vernon Bogdanor
Despite the efforts of the Liberal Democrats in Government, the movement for constitutional reform is at a nadir in the wake of the defeat of the AV referendum and the abandonment of democratisation of the House of Lords. As a result, awareness of the constitution has never been higher, making Matt Qvortrup’s Festschrift for Professor Vernon Bogdanor […]
Parliament still has a long way to go if it is to be considered ‘family friendly’
Despite efforts over recent years to make Parliament more “family-friendly” through reforms such as an on-site nursery and changes to sitting times, many MPs are still finding it difficult to achieve a healthy life/work balance, putting off prospective candidates in the process. Louise Thompson argues that there is much further to go if we are to […]
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