Explaining Parliamentary Procedure

I have been a member of, and a big fan of, the Hansard Society for many years. Under Dr Ruth Fox (who became a star of BBC Parliament with her joint coverage with Mark D'Arcy of the various Brexit votes over recent months), it has gone from strength to strength - producing some superb literature and promoting understanding of the Westminster system across the country and across the generations. If you don't yet subscribe - you can do so at https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk.

Each year the Society (named after, but not part of Hansard, the official report of proceedings in Parliament) produces an Audit of Political Engagement. It's always a fascinating report - and the latest edition is available here.

Their website includes a number of very useful procedural guides which can be accessed here. They have just produced a guide to the actions at the start of the 58th Parliament of the United Kingdom, which can be accessed from the home page of the Society.

For anyone interested in the workings of Parliament - this is a really useful society and website.

Lack of Engagement

Last week I attended the launch of the Hansard Society's annual Audit of Political Engagement. I've been attending these for many years. Sadly the reports show a trend in which fewer and fewer people say that they intend to vote. There's some really useful data and analysis. I thoroughly recommend the audit -

Further details - and a link to download the report - can be accessed here.

There was some encouraging news. 47% of people surveyed said that they wish that they had learned more about politics and how our democracy works. Of those

50% would have liked to have learned more about 'how government works'
45% ...about 'how laws are made and implemented'
34% ...about 'how Parliament works'
27% ...about 'how best to have my say about politics'.

There is a need!

Ilya Somin wrote - "Democracy demands an informed electorate. Voters who lack adequate knowledge about politics will find it difficult to control public policy. Inadequate voter knowledge prevents government from reflecting the will of the people in any meaningful way. Such ignorance also raises doubts about democracy as a means of serving the interests of a majority. Voters who lack sufficient knowledge may be manipulated by elites. They may also demand policies that contravene their own interests."

Democracy is never perfect - but as Churchill once said -  "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

(to give a fuller quote from his speech to the House of Commons on 11th November 1947) - "Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time; but there is the broad feeling in our country that the people should rule, continuously rule, and that public opinion, expressed by all constitutional means, should shape, guide, and control the actions of Ministers who are their servants and not their masters."

If our complex democracy - which now functions at many levels from the parish council to the European Parliament - is to operate properly, we need to ensure that every citizen has access to information about how our institutions work - and how they can have their interests catered for. If Parliament were to become a place where only those in the know; only those who can buy access - could participate - then we would be a much worse country.

Hansard Society

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I had attended the Hansard Society/Parliamentary Affairs Annual Lecture. The Hansard Society is an excellent organisation that puts on very useful meetings and produces some superb resources for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Parliament.

Their website's address is http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/ - it's worth exploring. In particular it has links to

Publications (including downloadable publications)
Recordings of previous lectures and meetings
Details of future events.

The annual 'Audit of Political Engagement' provides valuable data on public attitudes to parliament and politics. If I am able to, I'll be (as I usually am) at the launch of the latest Audit on May 15th. If you can get to Portcullis House (the modern building across the road from Big Ben) that evening, do come along. I thoroughly recommend it. Press here to register.

Dysfunctional Politics (2)

I didn’t say much in Thursday’s post about the break down of politics in the UK. But the problem is there too.

Each year the Hansard Society publishes the result of a survey – and a detailed analysis – about public engagement. I have almost the complete series at home. The latest one is the most disturbing one of the series. It raises a number of questions about the level of interest and faith that people have in the functioning of British democracy. I would encourage you to download the report – and reflect upon what needs to be done.

Audit of Political Engagement - 2011

The Hansard Society has produced its eighth annual "Audit of Political Engagement". I usually attend the launch at Westminster, but other engagements meant I missed it this year. However the report has now arrived - another perk of membership of the Hansard Society. [I have been a member now for 20 years - I thoroughly recommend joining - whether you are a student of law or politics; interested in how Westminster works; a political activist; or a citizen concerned about the most effective way to run government. Membership ensures that you are regularly informed of what the Society is doing - and includes access to their publications. For the parliamentary scholar - "Parliamentary Affairs" is a must - membership details are available here. Details of recent publications are available here.]

The encouaraging news is that interest in politics - and knowledge - is growing! - but satisfaction with Parliament continues to decline. The report contains, as ever, a detailed analysis of a poll carried out by Ipsos MORI, conducted at the turn of the year. There is much for 'politicians' and scholars to reflect upon.

What the People Think

Last night the Hansard Society published its 7th annual "Audit of Political Engagement". As usual it contains the results of polling and further research which will be pored over and reflected upon by all those with an interest in the health of the British body politic.

The report is larger this year - with relevant analses and commentaries on two central questions.

* how have the expenses and related scandals affected attitudes to MPs and Parliament?

* how can public involvement, and in particular, electoral turnout be raised?

For all the furore over the scandals of the lat year the report found that "There has not been a fundamental realignment of views about MPs and the political process as a result...for the most part, it has merely confirmed and hardened the public's widely held scepticism about politicians rather than changed their views"

Another significant finding is that "proposals for constitutional, political, and parliamentary report in the light of the MPs' expenses scandal have yet to resonate with the wider public"

Furthermore "there is a huge gulf between the public's perception of what they think MPs should be doing and what MPs actually do."

The report highlights the need for effective education.

There is a useful division of people into eight groups. (Details of these groups - and how to engage with them is discussed in Chapter 6)

1 Politically Committed

2 Active Campaigners

3 Interested Bystanders

4 Detached Cynics

5 Politically Contented

6 Bored/Apathetic

7 Disengaged/Mistrustful

8 Alienated/Hostile

This should be a helpful tool to tackle the concerns of different sectors of the community.

I commend this report to you - which can be downloaded from here.