Reimagining Parliamentary Governance

Yong, Ben

Abstract

This chapter examines the important, but often overlooked, issue of parliamentary governance. How parliament organises and maintains itself is a fundamental question of the UK’s constitution: it goes to legitimacy and effectiveness of the legislature in carrying out its core constitutional functions. Parliamentary governance is the set of arrangements which determine the administration of parliament as an organisation and its resources; of how objectives in parliament are set; the means of attaining those objectives; and how accountability for those arrangements is effected. The chapter critiques present governance arrangements: in short, they are weak, ineffective and non-transparent. From this critical base, four principles are identified – prioritising the institution; effective governance mechanisms; clear lines of accountability; and representation – to guide reimagining; and seven practical proposals are identified as key steps towards attaining this reimagined future.

Citation

Yong, B. (in press). Reimagining Parliamentary Governance. In D. Judge, & C. Leston-Bandeira (Eds.), Reimagining Parliament. Bristol University Press

• Acceptance Date: Mar 18, 2024
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2024
• Publisher: Bristol University Press
• Book Title: Reimagining Parliament
• ISBN: 9781529226980
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2332060
• Publisher URL: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/reimagining-parliament