Legislation at Westminster

Abstract

This book describes and analyses the legislative process in the British Westminster parliament, with a focus on the contributions of different parliamentary ‘actors’, and close attention to questions of policy influence. It draws on the largest study of the process for over 40 years, which included analysis of 12 government bills as they passed through both the House of Commons and House of Lords. In addition to studying over 4,000 amendments proposed, and public records such as parliamentary speeches, the book draws on over 100 interviews with those closely involved. The opening chapters summarize the basics of the legislative process and review common assumptions that Westminster’s policy influence is relatively weak. Subsequent chapters explore in detail the contributions of different groups: government, opposition, government backbenchers, non-party parliamentarians, select committees, and outside pressure groups. In each case the organization, motivations, and actual policy influence of these groups are discussed. An additional chapter shows that cross-party working between these actors is far more common than often assumed. The book uncovers many of the subtleties of the process. Despite the appearance of executive dominance, ministers routinely respond to parliamentary pressure, and government takes parliament into account when drafting legislation (including through ‘anticipated reactions’). Opposition members raise the profile of issues, and can use the House of Lords to negotiate changes. Other actors similarly exercise various forms of policy power. Overall, this study demonstrates that Westminster is more influential in the legislative process than often assumed, with parliamentary power exercised in a variety of interconnected ways.

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