Parliament is failing the public, says Puttnam Commission - 24 May, 2005

Radical change essential to close the communication gap with voters

Members Only? Parliament in the Public Eye - the report of the Hansard Society Commission on the Communication of Parliamentary Democracy, chaired by Lord Puttnam - says Parliament is failing in its democratic duty to communicate with the electorate and urges a fundamental overhaul of its communication structure.

Parliament is effectively sidelined from the centre of British political life. Members Only? covers how Parliament must radically modernise its communication to re-establish the crucial link between Parliament and the people, and the role the media can play in this reconnection.

Key recommendations:

• Parliament should establish a single communications service - bringing together various communication activities that are essential to a contemporary democratic institution
• Parliament must take control of the administration of its own affairs rather than be dominated by the party frontbenches
• Parliament has to reassess its relationship with the media, for example by relaxing rules for filming in the chambers and precincts of Parliament. The media should then take this opportunity to enhance their coverage of parliamentary business
• Parliamentary communications should engage the widest range of citizens. This includes involving young people in its processes and decision-making

Click here for a full list of Commission recommendations.

Lord Puttnam, chair of the Commission on the Communication of Parliamentary Democracy, says:

"Change should be driven by what citizens have a right to expect from their Parliament. Participation and an understanding of the process of government are a right, not a privilege. The public have a right to expect a Parliament which communicates its work clearly, reaches out to all citizens and invites participation and interaction. Acceptance of our recommendations would have the effect of reconnecting Parliament with the people it exists to serve."

• For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on 020 7395 4010 or 07812 765 552 or email mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk *

Editors' Notes

• Members of the Hansard Society Commission on the Communication of Parliamentary Democracy are:
  Lord Puttnam of Queensgate (chair); Jackie Ashley (vice-chair); Patrick Barwise; Stephen Coleman; Matthew d'Ancona; Patricia Hodgson; Raji Hunjan; Andrew Lansley MP; Martin Linton MP; Lord Renton; Peter Riddell; John Sergeant; Richard Tait; Lord Tyler; Fran Unsworth; and David Yelland.
• Members Only? Parliament in the Public Eye (ISBN 0 905702 54 4) costs £25 and is available from Dod's Parliamentary Communications. Click here for a Members Only? order form.