Strengths and Weaknesses of the Commons

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Commons

1. Strengths of the Commons

   • Parliamentary institutions operate effectively engaging the attention of MPs, media and the public
     • Specifically PM's Question Time, Operation of Select Committees and The Liaison Committee
   • MPs' small constituencies have fuelled their role as grievance-handlers for constituents having trouble with public services - expanded in recent years
   • MPs are willing to rebel against the whips.
     • Vernon Bogdanor, Phil Cowley and Phillip Norton made these points
     • Brexit Rebellions
   • Important reforms have already taken place with the creation of the Liaison Committee in 2002 and the introduction of pre-legislative scrutiny of draft bulls since 1997
   • E-petitions give the public a new opportunity to raise issues with the government by triggering a parliamentary debate if 100,000 signatures are obtained
   • Backbench MPs can instigate legislation through Private Members' bills and challenge the government through adjournment debates

2. Weakness of the Commons

   • Fusion of powers (executive - legislature) the government always controls the commons because it has a majority of the MPs
   • The government has legislative initiative - the vast majority of bills are government bills. There is little time for Private Members' Bills
   • The Commons is executive dominated, with most MPs voting along 'whipped' partisan lines. Party cohesion is exceptionally high by cross-national standards
   • Most MPs follow the mandate model: John Kingdom has said: "Today MPs are members of their party first and members of the House second"
   • Public bills committees - their proceedings are always ritualistic, ineffective and normally of very little value
   • The weakness of the select committees. They can't subpoena and governments don't need to respond to select committee reports
   • Voting system (FPTP) results in the chronic underrepresentation of third parties