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Post by dappy on Apr 18, 2024 10:15:18 GMT
Back in the news again because of the Rwanda nonsense.
But Rees Mogg has asked again today what it is for. And it is a fair question.
Our electoral system, rightly or wrongly, gives absolute power in the HoC to one party, nearly always on a minority of votes. They can pretty much force any policy through the HoC on party lines. The opposition could come up with the best amendment to legislation imaginable but that amendment will almost invariably fail due to party tribalism. Faced with that reality, the opposition give up trying to improve legislation and simply concentrate on scoring political points. The committee system is better, but still suffers the same issues and can be ignored.
The HoL does not have a majority and with tribalism less prevalent tends to review each proposed legislation on its merits and not constantly with an eye on the papers and the requirements of the next election. It does, and will eventually on Rwanda, bow to the superior electoral mandate of the HoC. It does generally however at least on less contentious matters, at least make Government stop and think and does improve legislation often tapping into real subject expertise that is often lacking in Government.
So does the HoL have a role, should it be strengthened or weakened, should it be elected, should it be reformed - if so how.
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Saint
Observer
Posts: 1,169
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Post by Saint on Apr 19, 2024 16:49:03 GMT
Back in the news again because of the Rwanda nonsense. But Rees Mogg has asked again today what it is for. And it is a fair question. Our electoral system, rightly or wrongly, gives absolute power in the HoC to one party, nearly always on a minority of votes. They can pretty much force any policy through the HoC on party lines. The opposition could come up with the best amendment to legislation imaginable but that amendment will almost invariably fail due to party tribalism. Faced with that reality, the opposition give up trying to improve legislation and simply concentrate on scoring political points. The committee system is better, but still suffers the same issues and can be ignored. The HoL does not have a majority and with tribalism less prevalent tends to review each proposed legislation on its merits and not constantly with an eye on the papers and the requirements of the next election. It does, and will eventually on Rwanda, bow to the superior electoral mandate of the HoC. It does generally however at least on less contentious matters, at least make Government stop and think and does improve legislation often tapping into real subject expertise that is often lacking in Government. So does the HoL have a role, should it be strengthened or weakened, should it be elected, should it be reformed - if so how. Instinctively, I'm against it. But it does good work - it sort of operates as the country's conscience. I certainly wouldn't be in favour of strengthening it, though. Better to curb the government's powers with a written constitution.
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