Parliament is marginalizing?
Other issues that have been used by the marginalisation thesis supporters, to back their arguments over the Parliament’s influence over politics are Devolution and the European Parliament. Although ‘the impact of the Westminster Parliament in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has been reduced …England, is still governed directed from Westminster’[1]. This leaves quite a big part of the UK still being under the direct power of Westminster and also, it is acceptable to say that Parliament has preserved some influence and can still affect the devolved parliaments. The shift of power towards the EU Parliament is also used as a starting point for arguments against the UK Parliament, but a closer examination of the situation will show us that the change of power is ‘from Whitehall, not Westminster’[2]. The power that has been allocated to the EU Parliament never belonged to the Parliament, but to the Government, so the internal balance of power is unchanged.
Last but not least I would like to discuss the function of the Lords. The reform of the Upper Chamber and the actions of Tony Blair as Prime Minister, have made the Lords more balanced party-wise. No party has a majority now and this can only lead to improvement in the work of Parliament. Two important events that need to be mentioned are: 1. Prime Minister’s decision to appear before the Liaison Committee[3]; 2. In 2005 Liberal Democrats announced that they will no longer be abiding by the Salisbury Convention[4]. These two events can be acknowledged as proof that Parliament is gradually becoming more and more assertive and that government cannot single-mindedly take decision without facing the consequences. These two events have resulted in more scrutiny and expertly criticism for the government in power.
Sofas for sale are not that boring either!!!
[1] P. Dunleavy et al (2006), ‘Developments in British Politics 8’. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers
, page 38
[2] P. Dunleavy et al (2006), ‘Developments in British Politics 8’. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers
, page 38
[3] P. Dunleavy et al (2006), ‘Developments in British Politics 8’. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers
, page 47
[4] P. Dunleavy et al (2006), ‘Developments in British Politics 8’. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers
, page 53-4
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