John Baron MP votes against Government proposals to weaken Parliament

MP supports Backbench Business Committee

Yesterday in the House of Commons, John Baron MP spoke in a debate concerning the election of members of the Backbench Business Committee (BBBC). The Committee was established in 2010 and holds debates one day a week to discuss matters of interest to backbench MPs. It is intended to strengthen the role of Parliament by making it more independent of the Government. Recent BBBC business include debates on Iran, pub closures and cuts to the BBC World Service.

Last night, despite the fact the Commons Procedure Committee has not yet delivered its own conclusions into the operation of the BBBC, the Government voted through changes which mean Committee members of the BBBC must be elected by party groups. At present, both the Chair and the members of the Committee are elected by all backbenchers, regardless of party. The Government’s changes mean that party whips will now have more control over the makeup of the Committee.

During the debate, John said,

“The Government’s proposals bring party politics into this place when dealing with backbench business matters. That is most unfortunate – and, more importantly, it will be viewed as such by people outside this place, too.”

“I suggest that a key aspect of the reassertion of Parliament was the formation of the Backbench Business Committee, which has proved – neither the Government nor Opposition Front-Bench Members have been able to suggest otherwise – to be an excellent method of holding the Executive to account, ensuring that matters of importance are debated here, at times against the wishes of the Government.”

“Finally, let me say something about the question of who selects the Chairman and Committee members. Surely all those who are selected as members of the Committee would have far more authority if they were elected by the whole House, rather than by party groups. That would enable the Committee to perform its role even better, with greater justification and, I would suggest, with greater credibility and integrity as well.”