Past Present Future Fixing Democracy: Parliamentary Reform
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Sep 17, 2025 Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government and a seasoned expert on parliamentary reform, dives into the state of the British Parliament. They discuss how strong executive power is overshadowing legislative bodies and why reforming the House of Lords is a pressing issue. The conversation highlights the disconnect between leaders and the public, the need for greater citizen involvement, and explores the potential of citizens' assemblies. Tune in for insights on enhancing democracy and the challenges of navigating political fragmentation.
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What A Second Chamber Actually Does
- A second chamber mainly adds scrutiny, expertise and a slower legislative pace.
- It can also represent minorities or geographies, but those roles often conflict in design.
Why Lords Reform Stalls
- Reform debates fail when actors lack consensus about the chamber's purpose.
- Pursuing democracy and expert scrutiny simultaneously is difficult in one design.
Lords' Quiet But Real Legislative Impact
- The House of Lords often improves bills behind the scenes through expert amendment and government acceptance.
- Its scrutiny role matters especially as the Commons has weakened at detailed legislative examination.
