Usual channels
Usual channels is a term used in British politics to describe the relationship between the Whips of the Government and the Opposition. Essentially, this is to obtain co-operation between the two parties, in order to ensure as much business as possible can be dealt with in each parliamentary session.
Negotiations in the "usual channels" take place daily, with key roles being played by unelected civil servants such as the private secretary to the Chief Whip. They determine how the time in each House of Parliament is spent, as well as how select committees should be composed, and who should chair them.
In 2002, the Hansard Society published a report entitled 'Opening Up The Usual Channels', which concluded that the Commons would benefit from greater transparency if the system were to be replaced by a formal "business committee" as used in other legislatures.[1] In 2006, The Constitution Unit at UCL made similar recommendations.[2]
In 2009, following the Parliamentary expenses scandal, a temporary Reform of the House of Commons select committee was established to consider issues of House of Commons reform. The recommendations in their report included the establishment of a backbench business committee and the election of select committee chairs, which would fundamentally change the way the usual channels work.[3]
References
- ^ Rush, Michael (December 2002). Opening Up The Usual Channels. London: Hansard Society. ISBN 978 0900432 86 6.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Russell, Meg (2006). "Managing Parliament Better? A Business Committee for the House of Commons" (PDF). London: The Constitution Unit. p. 38. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) [dead link] - ^ Reform of the House of Commons Committee (24 November 2009). "Rebuilding the House" (PDF). House of Commons. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
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- BBC News: Behind the scenes at Westminster 11 December 2002
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