John Bercow is proposing, in his new mandate for modernisation as Speaker, to allow government ministers in the House of Lords to answer questions. Ever since our parliament has existed the Commons and the Lords have been kept separate, but Bercow is hoping that the parliamentary authorities will make it possible so that ministers, who sit in the Lords, can be accountable to MPs. The Speaker is originally proposing that only Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, and Mandelson, the business secretary, to answer questions in the mini-Commons chamber which is attached to the Westminster Hall. This move by Bercow is supported by both Adonis and Mandelson, who recognise concerns over the question of accountability. It is largely seen as a positive and radical move by most, though some, like the veteran Labour MP Tony Benn said that “I am not in favour of giving peers who are not elected the sort of authority of being in the Commons.” (This is, however, a largely minority view). As the expenses scandal has come back to haunt MPs and further damage the reputation of UK politics this is just the sort of move that can help restore a connection. Especially in the case of unelected ministers accountability is of integral importance. Accountability of Lords to the Commons is, however, only a first step, accountability to the people will be the final stage. The debate on how to achieve this is not going to reach a conclusion any time soon.
Time for a new PMQs? No, not Prime Minister, but Peter Mandelson!
October 20, 2009 by Dav123
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