This was a short piece I wrote in November last year.
The two biggest challenges facing Parliament are its lack of diversity and its own processes.
Most would want a truly diverse Parliament drawn from a wide cross-section of society. But at present, this is not the case. The working practices of Parliament, with its long-hours culture and late-night debates and votes, seem to be deterring some groups from entering Parliament or driving them away. This is particularly true in the House of Commons where many groups, such as working mothers, are under-represented. This problem is exacerbated by social media, where an aggressive, bullying culture has led many women to leave the Commons in recent months.
Parliament could set up a review of its processes to make it more accessible. It could have a set length of working day along with clearer boundaries on when debates are held and their length. Large companies do not hold board meetings, or shareholder votes at 10 o’clock at night. Why does Parliament? The review could also include stricter controls on social media, so that representatives are not subjected to abuse.
Parliament also faces challenges surrounding its own processes. This has been highlighted by the Brexit saga. While Parliament has been doing its job in the process, subjecting the issue to rigorous review and analysis, the public have been left confused by the workings of the chambers. Brexit has given the public a crash course in the inner workings of Britain’s constitution. From the role of referendums in our democracy to the Irish Backstop and prorogation, the public has been left confused and angry by their country’s seemingly arcane processes.
This represents a fundamental challenge to the legitimacy of Parliament as trust in politics falls lower and lower. Parliament must rise to this challenge through better communication and better processes. Parliament needs to communicate its crucial role as a check on the executive. But Parliament needs at look to itself too. Brexit has shone a light on parts of the constitution that are no longer in keeping with modern Britain. Parliament must respond to this.
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