The fifth panel from our 2022 conference, The State of the Constitution.
Johnson’s premiership has been marked by various controversies about parliament. On COVID-19, the government was accused of overusing delegated powers – adding to already long-standing concerns in this area. Subsequently, some primary legislation has been rushed, and the relationship between whips and backbenchers often difficult. Most recently, the proposed fast-track procedures for amending Retained EU Law and on human rights risk further sidelining parliamentarians. How concerned should we be about these developments, and how best can parliament respond?
Speakers
Baroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon – Labour peer, and Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
William Wragg MP – Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, and Chair of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Dr Ruth Fox – Director of the Hansard Society
Dr Hannah White – Deputy Director of the Institute for Government
Chair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL