In praise of … reforming the Commons

Parliament still matters, in spite of everything – indeed, because of everything. And today it matters more than usual. Today, the Commons begins a vital debate on reforming itself. The agenda was set out in last November's report Rebuilding the House , drawn up by an all-party committee chaired by Dr Tony Wright MP. The report wants the Commons to seize command of its own committees and its own agenda from the government. A key plank of the Wright reforms is to rewrite the Commons standing orders which currently state that "government business shall have precedence at every sitting". In place of this, the committee thinks the house should elect a business committee, chaired by the deputy Speaker, to set the balance between government and backbench time. The committee is right. Parliamentary autonomy over committees and business is crucial to redressing the balance between the legislature and the executive. But, as Robin Cook said in his memoirs , it is even more crucial to rebuilding trust between parliament and the public – needs that would only increase in a hung parliament. Yet these reforms will only happen if, paradoxically, the government promotes them through the procedures which will carry on into next week. Labour's credibility as a party of reform, and the prime minister's credibility as a reformer, are absolutely on the line in these debates and votes. MPs must make a stand for themselves and their successors today. And the government must deliver.