Navigating Tradition and Modernisation: An Analysis of Procedural Reform in the UK Parliament
About the United Kingdom Parliament | Written on January, 2023
Introduction
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented shifts have swept across numerous traditional institutions worldwide, leading to profound transformations. Notably, the UK Parliament was not left untouched by these changes. The sudden necessity of virtual meetings and remote voting systems, all novel to the legislative environment, had profound implications on the way parliamentarians conducted business in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
This essay critically analyses the way these adaptations unfolded within the parliament, the cultural and procedural differences between the two houses that influenced the pace and extent of change, and how these changes may reshape the future of the UK's parliamentary procedures.
Procedural Modernisation: A Tale of Two Houses
One of the first interesting aspects revealed during the process of modernisation was the stark differences between the two chambers of the UK Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It is interesting to note that even though they are parts of the same parliamentary system, their attitudes and response towards change greatly differed.
The House of Lords, predominantly filled by part-time members with occupations beyond the legislative sphere, appeared more willing to embrace changes such as remote participation and voting. This can be attributed to the more flexible nature of their roles, combined with the practical benefits that such changes presented.
On the other hand, the House of Commons, populated by full-time MPs who saw a greater need to physically represent their constituents in the parliamentary setting, showed a more conservative stance. This may be attributed to the MPs' deeply embedded connection to the traditional parliamentary environment and the perceived importance of physical presence in upholding the principle of representation.
Relevance of Tradition and Resistance to Change
Tradition plays an important role in shaping the working of any established institution, and the UK Parliament is no exception. As a deeply rooted feature of UK parliamentary culture, tradition initially presented a significant barrier to the modernisation process. However, the urgency of the pandemic compelled a shift in perspective and ultimately led to expedited reform.
Interestingly, many traditions, which were perceived as longstanding, were actually recent inventions, often brought by incoming ministers. The pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity to challenge the relevance and need for such traditions and make necessary alterations to parliamentary procedures.
Yet, there was resistance, mainly from members who felt that the changes were imposed upon them without adequate consultation. It is, however, essential to note that this resistance emerged late in the process, possibly due to the urgency of the initial pandemic response and subsequent reflection periods.
Pandemic Procedures
One of the key concerns for procedural changes during the pandemic was their longevity. Several of these changes such as virtual participation in parliamentary debates and virtual or hybrid meetings of committees, have proved effective and efficient. As a result, they may continue to exist in the post-pandemic parliament, thus demonstrating the adaptability of parliamentary procedures in response to external shocks.
However, whether these changes will become permanent features of parliamentary procedures remains to be seen. As the situation stabilises, there is likely to be a comprehensive review of these pandemic-era innovations, possibly leading to a blend of tradition and modernisation in the parliamentary procedures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pandemic brought about a forced, but necessary, modernisation of the UK Parliament. The resistance and acceptance of change varied between the House of Lords and the House of Commons, illuminating the cultural and functional differences between the two. The future of these changes, however, remains uncertain and subject to further review.
The experience of procedural modernisation during the pandemic indicates that tradition and modernisation are not necessarily at odds within the UK Parliament. Instead, they can coexist and shape a more adaptable, resilient, and efficient parliamentary system that can meet the demands of an increasingly complex and dynamic world.