The Modernisation Committee has been set up to “consider reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices.”
It is asking for views on what topics it should prioritise for action as it develops its work programme. The Committee has already endorsed a memorandum from the Leader of the House of Commons and Chair of the Committee, Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, setting out three strategic aims and some initial workstreams.
Now it wants to hear from people about what additional ideas they have for work it could take forward, covering the strategic aims of:
- driving up standards;
- improving culture and working practices; and
- reforming Parliamentary procedures to make the House of Commons more effective.
This call for views is open to both external and internal stakeholders, including MPs, House and MPs’ staff and their representatives. There will be other ways for internal stakeholders to express their views, including an online form. The Committee is keen to work with the Speaker, the Deputy Speakers, the House of Commons Commission, the Clerk of the House, other Select Committees and other relevant bodies and office holders, and to build on existing work.
Written submissions should be no more than 2,500 words and structured around the following questions:
- What topic(s) do you think the Modernisation Committee should prioritise and how do they link to one or more of the strategic aims set out in the Leader’s memorandum?
- Why would the topic(s) benefit from the attention of the Modernisation Committee?
- Are you aware of examples from other Parliaments relevant to the topic(s) which may be interesting for the Modernisation Committee to consider?
- Is there any existing work relevant to the topic(s) which you think the Modernisation Committee can build on?
The deadline for submissions is 3pm, 16 December 2024.
The expectation is that the Committee will publish most submissions it receives. If you wish you can:
- request that your submission is anonymous (meaning it will still be published but that it will not have your name on it), or
- request that your submission be kept confidential (meaning that it will not be published).
Please be advised that the committee will not be considering individual cases.
The Committee will use the submissions it receives to inform its ongoing programme of work. There will be no direct response to individual submissions.