Spectrum on Air

 I'm very excited about what is going to happen in the next few hours....

At midnight (UK time), a new online radio station will start broadcasting - and my first broadcast will be at noon - just 12 hours later. The programme will be called "PPS" - and it will deal with the process and the people who make decisions and laws which affect all of us. 

But it won't be anything like your usual "politics" or "current affairs" affairs 

- so I won't be gossiping about Dom & Boris, 

(or Biden, Pelosi, AOC, Drakeford, Macron, Merkel, Xi Jinping, Putin - YES I WILL COVER THE WORLD!) 

or attacking (or defending) policies - just giving you the information about who is making and how they are making decisions and law which can impact upon your life.

The final letter of the programme's name is "Sources" - I won't be reading long reports on air (how boring!) or giving lectures on process and procedure - but I will be highlighting and giving links key information.

....oh, and playing lots of music between pieces.

Do give the station, and myself a listen.

Spectrum On Air can be accessed - from anywhere in the world (as long as there is access to the internet) at -

https://spectrumonair.com

....and you miss a programme it will be made available at

https://www.spreaker.com/show/process-people-sources

A fantastic range of programmes and presenters has been lined up - so listen live on https://spectrumonair.com 

or scroll through all our programmes at https://www.spreaker.com/user/spectrumonair 

for more see https://www.spreaker.com/user/spectrumonair

House of Commons Library - A Resource for Citizens

The House of Commons Library is not just a collection of books. It provides a first class research service to MPs. MPs can seek answers to specific questions - but they also produce a range of non-partisan research briefings on a multitude of subjects.

These papers - ranging from short 'Standard Notes' to lengthy, in depth research papers, are made available to the public on the Parliamentary website - and you can subscribe to email notifications about new publications.

Yesterday, I received a number of emails from the Library announcing publication of a number of papers - across all policy areas. As a lecturer in Constitutional Law, I have recommended many of their papers which explain the workings of our Constitution and Parliament. As a researcher, House of Commons Library Papers have provided useful background information - and the starting point for further research. As someone with specific policy interests - they are invaluable for keeping myself informed about the issues.

Do visit http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/commons/commonslibrary/
All their publications are free - and of a very high standard. The page above is easy to use for searching particular issues - and includes a link to sign up for notifications of new (and updated) publications) - https://subscriptions.parliament.uk/accounts/UKPARLIAMENT/subscriber/new?.

Old Hansards

Hansard is the record of what is said in Parliament. There are separate editions for the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Editions since 2010 can be searched for at https://hansard.parliament.uk.

The House of Commons Hansard can be searched for by date from November 1988 to March 2016 via http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/by-date/ and the Lords via http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/lords/

If you want to go back further (and I've enjoyed some interesting reading through this site) then visit http://hansard.millbanksystems.com. This covers the period 1803 to 2005.

A new approach to politics

I am seeking to start a debate about the future of politics - not just in the UK (where I made this video) but in other democracies.

Please submit any comments - either on this blog - or directly to me at washminster@me.com

Open Westminster

This weekend promises a bonanza for anyone heading to Westminster. There are free tours and events around Parliament and the Supreme Court.

A leaflet is available here.

New Commons Order Paper

Once, not so long ago - the Commons Order paper only meant sense to those who were insiders - and knew the "code", but a lot of improvements have been made in recent years. Now it has been completely redesigned and can be used by those who have not been MPs or parliamentary officials for a long time.

Monday's new order paper is online now - do view it at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmagenda/sa130513.htm

Any comments would be appreciated.

Reading

One of my Open University tutorial groups meets in Reading. It's now a very pleasant town with the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal running through - and lots of coffee shops.

It also has a link with Parliament. In 1453 Parliament met at Reading Abbey.

The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England (British History Online) contains information about this...

"The parliament of 1453, in being for a total of fifty-five weeks, was the second longest of the reign of Henry VI's reign to date, opening on 6 March 1453 and closing on 17 April 1454. Like the longest parliament of the reign, that of 1445, the parliament of 1453 sat for less than half of its total duration - twenty-one weeks and four days. The first session, lasting only three weeks, was held at Reading in March. A prorogation for Easter was followed by a second session at Westminster for nine and a half weeks from 25 April to 2 July. A prorogation to 12 November was then made. Despite the commons making generous taxation grants in the first and second sessions to underwrite military activity, it proved impossible to hold on to Guienne. The English were defeated in battle at Castillon on 17 July 1453. It is possible that it was news of this disaster which brought on King Henry's debilitating stupor. The exact date of its onset is not clear but most likely occurred in early August. On 13 October 1453, Edward, prince of Wales, was born.

Parliament was due to reconvene at Reading on 12 November, but it was on that day prorogued further, to 11 February 1454, in the hope of the king's recovery. Richard, duke of York, who had been absent from the first two sessions of the parliament, was brought back onto the council in mid- November 1453. A few days later, Edmund Beaufort, duke of Somerset, who had dominated the king's government to this point, was committed to the Tower where he remained until late January-early February 1455, thus being absent from the parliamentary session of 1454. The parliament did reconvene in Reading on 11 February as planned but was immediately transferred to Westminster where it reopened on 14 February 1454...

Parliament opened at in the refectory of Reading Abbey on Tuesday 6 March 1453. The chancellor, John Kemp, who had been translated to the archbishopric of Canterbury in July 1452, was absent. According to the roll (item 1), the parliament was opened by William, bishop of Lincoln, but as the bishop of Lincoln was at this point John Chedworth, this must be a scribal error for William Waynflete, bishop of Winchester, who was amongst those appointed as triers of petitions. When the commons came before the duke of York in the fourth session on 19 March 1454 (item 30), they claimed that at the commencement of 'this present parliament at Reading', the chancellor had spoken about the setting up of a 'sadde and wise' council of wise and discreet peers to whom all people might have recourse in the administration of justice. This suggests that Kemp was present early in the first session even if he was absent at the opening. There is no reference on the roll to the setting up of such a council. Indeed, as we shall see, the commons' complaint in March 1454 was that they had not been informed of the actual establishment of such a council. Another intriguing allusion to the business of the parliament exists in a royal letter sent to the earls of Salisbury and Northumberland on 8 October 1453, where it is noted that 'also that in our parliament which is still continued ('yit continued'), you and all other lords were warned that if any of you felt himself aggrieved against another, he should put his complaint in writing'...There is nothing on the roll about such an order, although the prorogation of 2 July 1453 with its reference to the king's intention to travel to various parts of his realm to end riots and misdeeds (item 20) would no doubt provide a context for such a command to be made collectively to the lords as they left parliament, and also for a commons complaint about the peace being badly kept (Parliament of 1453, Appendix item 38).      

 After the appointment of receivers and triers of petitions (items 2-5), the speaker was presented on Thursday 8 March (item 6). The choice fell on Thomas Thorpe. He had considerable administrative experience in the Exchequer as a summoner and from 1444 to 1452 as Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, and had links with the Beaufort family. Although Thorpe had lost his post when York's associate, John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, became treasurer of England on 15 April 1452, his links with Edmund Beaufort were strong enough for him to be promised the reversion of the chancellorship of the Exchequer in November 1452 as well as £200 for the vexations he had suffered. By the time parliament met he may already have become third baron of the exchequer; certainly he occupied this post by 26 April 1453."

Welcome to Washminster

Today marks the official start of many Open University courses. I’d like to welcome all students – particularly my own – who I’ll be meeting tomorrow in Oxford (W201) and Birmingham (W200) and in Reading (W200) on 16th February. Both courses are interesting – and I will be posting frequently on subjects relevant to these courses.


If you’re not one of my students – you too are welcome on Washminster. The blog focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the British Parliament; the US Congress and the European Parliament. So there will be lots of relevant posts if you are studying UK or US constitutional Law; British, US or European politics; EU Law; or history. Please do make any comments – either on the substance of posts, or matters you’d like to discuss further.

Washminster has been going since 2007 – and you might find it interesting (or even useful) to look back at previous posts. There’s a search engine – or you can look at posts by date. I was in the US for the presidential elections of 2008 & 2012; at Westminster when some interesting events occurred (such as the day when Brown replaced Blair as Prime Minister).

Currently I’m coming to the end of my studies for a Ph.D. looking at whips in the four Houses of the British Parliament and US Congress. That’s the reason why Washminster has been quiet over the winter – I’m writing up. I’ve still a little more to do but full service should return to Washminster in the not TOO distant future.

Once again, Welcome to Washminster – and if you are starting your studies today (OK, I know many of you will have read quite a bit already & a few are even progressing with their first eTMA – not due in until 6th (W200) or 13th (W201) March!) – can I wish you well in your studies.

David

What's the point of law?

A big question indeed - and there are many who argue that Congress and Parliament should actually do LESS legislating. I don't agree with the premise which lies behind some expressions of that view. There is a belief that the less government the better. My take on history is that when government has been inactive, the economy has gone bad (1930s & recent years); lack of regulation has led to disastrous scandals (see the Banking Crisis) and the powerful and unscrupulous have been free to exploit everyone else. But I'm entitled to my opinion - as you are to yours.

However it is a legitimate concern that "poor legislation" has been produced - or that the Courts (who also make Law) produce decisions which can have a serious detrimental impact on society and democracy.

But why do we use law? It is a tool to regulate, even change behaviour. Actions which society wishes to discourage can be prohibited (or failure to do positive actions discouraged) by providing for criminal sanctions. It can provide a framework for relationships - such as the law of contract. It can be a useful exercise to analyse legislation.

What is the provision doing? - does it grant a power; or impose a duty. Does it prohibit certain actions?
Why is the provision there? - what was Parliament/Congress seeking to achieve?
How else could this objective be met? - is a law the only answer? could economic incentives lead to similar results?

Parliament Week

This coming week will see a number of events to celebrate "Parliament Week" (I suspect that the dates were not chosen by accident - November 5th was, by order of Parliament in the 17th Century, to be kept as an annual day of "public thanksgiving to Almighty God...that unfeigned thankfulness may never be forgotten, and that all ages to come may yield praises to God's divine majesty for the same." It was on that day that Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up Parliament was thwarted in 1605).

Details of the events (which occur across the country) can be found at a special website - http://www.parliamentweek.org/

I hope to be attending a few of the events, both at Westminster and in Birmingham. Do drop me a line if you will be attending any of the events.

Westminster Returns

Parliament returns this afternoon. Now it has its seat in the Palace of Westminster - but originally it met around the country. The King summoned Parliament to advise him - and the meeting place was where HE was. Over time the residential palace of Kings alongside the Thames became Parliament's home. King Canute is believed to have been the first King to live in Westminster. Henry VIII was the last. The House of Lords made the palace its permanent home long before the Commons. It was only in the late 1540's that the Commons were granted a permanent meeting place in St Stephen's Chapel.

There are some useful histories of Parliament available - my favourite is below

Academic Journals about the British Parliament

If you are lucky enough to have access to a University Library (physically - or to their electronic journals) there are a number of Journals which you can use. Of course a personal subscription is an alternative [and members of the Hansard Society can get a discount subscription to Parliamentary Affairs - further details here] and Membership of The UK's Political Studies Association brings subscriptions to six of their publications. The American Political Science Association produces three journals as part of its membership subscriptions - and Members of their Legislative Studies section receive Legislative Studies Quarterly.

Parliamentary Affairs - published by the Hansard Society
Parliamentary History - covers Westminster and other parliamentary institutions which have existed in the British Isles and the pre-independence legislatures of the colonies.

Journals frequently containing articles about the British Parliament (or articles about issues for legislatures generally) include

Journal of Legislative Studies - published by the Centre for Legislative Studies at Hull University
Parliaments, Estates & Representation - the journal of the International Commission for the History of Representative and Parliamentary Institutions
Government and Opposition - an international journal of comparative politics.
Representation - a publication of the McDougall Trust
British Journal of Political Science -  a respected journal which has been published for over 40 years
The Political Quarterly - a British publication dating back to 1930
Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties - journal of EPOP  
Legislative Studies Quarterly - mainly US focused, but some articles on other legislatures, including particular issues facing legislatures generally.
American Political Science Review - has occasional articles about the British Parliament. Published by APSA.