Rt Hon John Bercow MP gives lecture on Parliamentary
Reform
24 February 2012
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow
MP, gave a lecture on Parliamentary Reform at the University
of Hull this week as part of the Politics 50
celebrations.
John Bercow, the first Speaker to speak publicly on
reform of the House of Commons, sees himself not only as the
protector of the rights of the House, but also an advocate of
strengthening the House. The Speaker has been notable for using his
powers to enable back-benchers to have more of a voice in
scrutinising the Executive.
<Rt Hon John Bercow MP
In his talk, entitled ‘Reform and Parliament’, John Bercow argued
that change is natural, desirable and essential to continuity.
He also talked about the ‘Urgent Question’, a
device which allows any Member of Parliament to ask the Speaker to
summon a minister to the House to answer a matter of importance
which has emerged suddenly. The Urgent Question was a seldom used
procedure, with only two of them granted in the 12 months before
John Bercow became Speaker. Since taking office, he has
brought it back to the fore and permitted 89 Urgent Questions. He
asserted that this is a positive change for the House.
In addition, he highlighted the work of the
Reform of the House of Commons Committee, which was created after
the expenses scandal in 2009. One of the notable recommendations
made by the Committee was that chairs of select committees should
be elected by secret ballot in order to make them truly
independent. The prominence achieved by the Culture, Media and
Sport Select Committee in their investigation of News International
is an example of how effective the new system is.
Lord Norton, Professor of Government says: “It
is a huge pleasure to welcome the Speaker to the University as part
of the celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of
the Department of Politics and International Studies.
“As well as his commitment to parliamentary
reform, he is to be admired for being a true ambassador for the
House of Commons. He encourages greater engagement with the public
and facilitates the use of the chamber for such things as youth
parliaments. He is a real inspiration and his visit was a rare
opportunity to hear him speak on the fascinating issue of
reform.”
Ends.
Page last updated by Stephen Beat on
3/19/2012
Media Enquiries
For media enquiries, please contact Claire
Mulley on 01482 466943 or 07809 585965.
Notes to Editors
About Politics 50
This year the University’s Department of Politics and International
Studies celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. At its meeting
on 19 October 1960 Senate received the second report of the
University’s Development Committee which included a recommendation
that a Chair of Government in an independent department be created
for the session 1961-1962, following this a Chair in Government for
the session 1961-62 was appointed.
Today the Department of Politics and International Studies is
one of the most dynamic and vibrant institutions in the University
of Hull and a leading force of political education in the United
Kingdom and the European Union. Highly research-oriented, the
Department has achieved international standards of excellence in
research areas such as British Politics and Legislative Studies,
Globalisation, International Politics and War and Security Studies.
Its research achievements feed into all aspects of teaching and
create an environment of intellectual stimulation, innovation and
reward. These form the heart of the Department’s strategy and
mission for the years to come.