Held in Contempt: What’S Wrong with the House of Commons? - Softcover

White, Hannah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1526156695 ISBN 13: 9781526156693

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2022

Synopsis

Parliament, and the House of Commons in particular, is increasingly held in contempt by the British public. From attending parties during the Covid-19 lockdown to taking payment for lobbying, MPs undermine their credibility by acting as if the rules they set for others should not apply to them. Still far from representative of the country they govern from the ancient and crumbling Palace of Westminster, MPs appear detached from the lives led by their constituents – conducting their business according to rules and procedures that have become too complex for many of them to understand.

Hannah White offers a perceptive critique of the shortcomings of the House of Commons, arguing that the reputation of the Commons is in a downward spiral - compounded by government attempts to side-line parliament during Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. At a time of populist challenge to representative democracy, this book is an essential rallying cry for Members of Parliament to reform the House of Commons – equipping it to fulfil its important role as a cornerstone of our democracy – or see it fade into irrelevance.

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About this title

About the Author

Hannah White is the Director of the London-based think tank the Institute for Government. She is a regular commentator on Westminster and Whitehall for radio and television in the UK and internationally, and writes for publications including The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph and Prospect. She received an OBE in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to the Constitution. -- .

From the Back Cover

'Hannah White paints a compelling picture of what's gone wrong with our democracy in general and the Palace of Westminster in particular. As White so powerfully demonstrates, the UK urgently needs democratic renewal, a fairer voting system and a system of government in which people can have trust and confidence.'
Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton, Pavilion

'Takes you inside parliament for a vivid explanation of how our politics works...or sometimes doesn't.'
Adam Fleming, BBC Senior Political Correspondent

'Anyone who cares about parliamentary democracy should read this book.'
Gary Gibbon, Political Editor, Channel 4 News

'Hannah White is one of our finest commentators on all things Westminster.'
Carolyn Quinn, Presenter, BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour

The House of Commons is increasingly held in contempt by the British public. From attending parties during the Covid-19 lockdown to taking payment for lobbying, MPs undermine their credibility by acting as if the rules they set for others should not apply to them. Still far from representative of the country they govern from the ancient and crumbling Palace of Westminster, MPs appear detached from the lives led by their constituents - conducting their business according to rules and procedures that have become too complex for many of them to understand.

In this timely book, Hannah White offers a perceptive critique of the shortcomings of the House of Commons, arguing that the reputation of the Commons is in a downward spiral - compounded by government attempts to side-line parliament during Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic. At a time of populist challenge to representative democracy, this book is an essential rallying cry for MPs to reform the House of Commons - equipping it to fulfil its important role as a cornerstone of our democracy - or see it fade into irrelevance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526156695
• ISBN 13: 9781526156693
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232