Progressive groups want faster progress on parliamentary reform

Progressive groups have reacted with dismay at the Government’s tactics over the Wright committee recommendations on parliamentary reform.

The Guardian editorial this morning argued that, “Harriet Harman offered a bizarre excuse for the sidelining of Tony Wright’s worthwhile plans for improving Commons procedure.” But a source close to Harman insisted that consensus had to be reached and told Left Foot Forward, “this is a matter for the House. We have to give Parliament its say.” Harriet Harman said in the Commons yesterday that, “The Government’s preference for reaching decisions on these reforms is that we proceed on the basis of consensus.”

Sunder Katwala, General Secretary of the Fabian Society told Left Foot Forward:

“The election of Select Committee chairs by the House is both substantively and symbolically essential to the idea of a stronger Parliament better able to hold the Executive to account.

“The idea of lack of consensus (while no doubt it may have some partial foundation) risks being a bit convenient for the Whips office in particular”

Gavin Hayes, General Secretary of Compass said:

“The public don’t just demand the Prime Minister or Government put out nice rheotric on cleaning up Westminster, they want concrete action. The Government should be doing all that it can to get this passed before the end of this session. They should take a much tougher line and impose a 3-line whip – as must the Tories and Lib Dems.

“That said, the whole Westminster way of doing politics is bankrupt and the real reform we need is electoral reform. It is absolutely critical that Gordon Brown keeps his commitment on electoral reform.”

Nick Brown has been accused recently of derailing electoral reform.

1. Will Straw says:

   January 29, 2010 at 1:19 pm

   @wallaceme progressive groups want faster progress on parly reform http://bit.ly/caaoDf
2. Jack Stenner says:

   January 29, 2010 at 1:40 pm

   RT @leftfootfwd: Progressive groups @nextleft @compassoffice call for faster action on Parly reform but Harman insists consensus needed http://bit.ly/caaoDf
3. Claire Spencer says:

   January 29, 2010 at 2:16 pm

   Administrative incompetance is right, @wdjstraw! I'm feeling like the opportunity for reform is slipping away… http://bit.ly/caaoDf
4. Ben Furber says:

   January 29, 2010 at 2:30 pm

   RT @thedancingflea: I'm feeling like the opportunity for reform is slipping away… http://bit.ly/caaoDf
5. salman says:

   January 29, 2010 at 2:33 pm

   RT @benfurber: RT @thedancingflea: I'm feeling like the opportunity for reform is slipping away… http://bit.ly/caaoDf
6. salman jafri says:

   January 29, 2010 at 2:33 pm

   RT @benfurber: RT @thedancingflea: I'm feeling like the opportunity for reform is slipping away… http://bit.ly/caaoDf
7. uberVU - social comments says:

   January 30, 2010 at 11:09 am

   Social comments and analytics for this post…

   This post was mentioned on Twitter by leftfootfwd: Progressive groups @nextleft @compassoffice call for faster action on Parly reform but Harman insists consensus needed http://bit.ly/caaoDf...
8. Politics Summary: Wednesday, February 3rd | Left Foot Forward says:

   February 3, 2010 at 9:00 am

   [...] to commit to a full vote on the Wright reforms of Commons procedures if they fail to pass the controversial process drawn up by Harriet [...]
9. Labour MPs urge Brown to "show us you're serious about reform" | Left Foot Forward says:

   February 4, 2010 at 1:38 pm

   [...] reported on Left Foot Forward last week, progressive groups including the Fabian Society and Compass have pushed for faster [...]