Speaker's Conference (on Parliamentary Representation) : [Vol. 1]: Second interim Report

Speaker's Conference (on Parliamentary Representation) : [Vol. I]: Interim Report

The House of Commons agreed unanimously in November 2008 to establish this Speaker's Conference. The Conference was asked to look into the reasons why women, members of the black and minority ethnic communities and disabled people are under-represented in the House of Commons, and to recommend ways in which the situation can be improved. Issues relating to the representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities were also considered. Currently most MPs are white, male, middle-aged and middle-class: the House of Commons should reflect more closely the diverse society in which we live. The Conference makes and draws 71 recommendations and conclusions. Individual chapters cover: the case for widening representation; citizenship and engagement; the importance of political parties; the role of the MP and how to become one; selection processes and barriers to selection; tackling supply-side barriers; changing the culture of Parliament. The Conference reports after a period of unprecedented diminishing of the House's reputation through the expenses scandal. This has combined with increasing dislocation between citizens and the democratic process. The need for change is recognised and this report outlines many practical steps that can be taken to correct under-representation. Broadening representation would also bring a positive benefit of improved effectiveness in the development of legislation and the scrutiny of Government performance.

Speaker's Conference (on Parliamentary Representation) : Vol. 2: Written evidence Session 2008-09

This report is the outcome a request to hold a Speaker's Conference to consider, and make recommendations for rectifying, the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation in the UK population at large. The House asked the Conference to look into the reasons why women, members of the black and minority ethnic communities and disabled people are under-represented in the House of Commons, and to recommend ways in which the situation can be improved. The Conference also agreed to consider issues relating to the representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

In Parliament and Congress the constitutional background and the procedures are described and where possible compared in an entirely fresh look at the two legislatures. Though their constitutional positions and development are quite distinct, they nevertheless have much in common historically and face many of the same contemporary problems.