Call for Evidence

At the last election, the Government committed, in its first year, to setting up a “Constitution, Democracy & Rights Commission” to look at “the broader aspects of our constitution” and “come up with proposals to restore trust in our institutions and in how our democracy operates”. The Government outlined a range of areas the Commission would focus on:

• the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts;

• the functioning of the Royal Prerogative;

• the role of the House of Lords;

• access to justice for ordinary people;

• the ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime;

• ensuring a “proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government” by updating the Human Rights Act; and

• judicial review: ensuring its availability “to protect the rights of the individuals against an overbearing state” but “ensuring that it is not abused to conduct politics by another means or to create needless delays”. (Conservative Party Manifesto, p. 48)

So far, the Government have made no announcements about the form or timing of the Commission beyond the commitments made in the Conservative Manifesto and Queen’s speech.

The Committee would like to receive submissions on the following questions:

1. What form should the Commission take?a. How should it be composed?b. Should the Commission engage the public, and if so how?c. How should the Commission proceed in its work? Over what timescale?

2. What should be the main purpose and output of the commission?a. How should the Commission report its findings?

3. Given the remit of the Commission to look at “the broader aspects of our constitution” and “come up with proposals to restore trust in our institutions and in how our democracy operates” are there issues not on the Government’s list that need to be examined?

4. What areas should be a priority for the Commission and why?

If you are interested in submitting evidence to the inquiry and would like more details or wish to discuss the issues please contact Dr Patrick Thomas thomaspb@parliament.uk 020 7219 3268

The deadline for recieving written submissions is Monday 16th November 2020.