As part of the Hansard Society's longer-term 'A Year in the Life' study of newly-elected legislators, this 2011 report explored the experience of MPs elected in 2010. The report found that long hours and the competing demands of Westminster and constituency were damaging new MPs' family life – yet most such MPs aspired to make politics a long-term career.
Entering Parliament as a new MP is a daunting experience. Exhausted from months of campaigning, they are faced with a huge and multifaceted job for which no job description exists.
New MPs need to master the traditions and procedural complexities of the Commons, set up their offices, hire staff, find personal accommodation and re-arrange family life – and that is all before they can properly begin working as a legislator and constituency representative. The challenges are significant and there is no time to waste – the voracious demands and expectations of constituents, party and the 24/7 media are present right from the start.
The general election saw the largest turnover of MPs since 1997, with 232 new Members elected (including five returning MPs who had previously lost their seats). For this new intake there is also the added pressure of the post-expenses scandal climate: there is an expectation among the public and media that the culture and practices of Westminster will change on their watch.
So how do the new MPs approach their many and varied tasks and meet the expectations placed upon them? What do they think of Parliament and what are their hopes for the future? What has the transition from being a member of the public to becoming a Member of Parliament been like?
The findings in this briefing paper begin to answer these questions. The new MPs are working extremely long hours and, despite spending more of their working week in Westminster, it is constituency casework that takes up the largest portion of their time. They are largely satisfied with how Parliament works, but the hours, the division of time between Westminster and their constituency and the effects of IPSA’s expenses system combine to make the maintenance of any semblance of a family life a struggle for many of them. Yet despite the difficulties, the majority hope to make politics a long-term career and many aspire to take on a second job as a minister.
This briefing paper is a selected summary of interim findings of the Hansard Society’s A Year in the Life: From member of public to Member of Parliament project. It is based on the analysis of two surveys of the new MPs, conducted in August 2010 and March 2011, to which approximately one quarter of the new intake responded.
More than half of new MPs (56%) have taken a salary cut on becoming an MP, with almost a third (31%) taking a cut of £30,000 per annum or more.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is a source of considerable discontent for the new MPs, despite the fact that they are untainted by the expenses scandal. Eighty-five per cent of the new MPs were dissatisfied with the induction provided by IPSA and, six months on, 79% were still dissatisfied with the workings of IPSA.
New MPs start off expecting a 60 hour week (plus eight hours travel) but find themselves working 67 hours per week. Six months on this had increased to an average 69 hours per week.
A vast number of the new MPs have found the job has a significant negative impact on their personal/family lives. Comments such as ‘overwhelming’, ‘devastating’, ‘detrimental’ and ‘a struggle’ are common.
The new MPs split their working time 63% in Westminster and 37% in their constituencies.
Yet it is constituency casework that takes up the largest portion of their time (28%), followed by constituency meetings/events (21%) and the Commons Chamber (21%).
Seventy per cent of the new MPs are dissatisfied with Early Day Motions (EDMs). The sitting hours of the House of Commons (51%) and Private Members’ Bill procedures (43%) are the next least popular.
In contrast there is almost universal satisfaction with many other aspects of Parliament. More than 90% are satisfied with select committees, second readings, the business in Westminster Hall, urgent questions and ministerial statements.
Eighty-two per cent of the new MPs aspire to make politics a long-term career; 55% hope to become ministers.
The most eagerly anticipated parliamentary aspects of the role of an MP are working in all-party groups and on select committees, with 98% and 87% of the new MPs indicating they were keen to get involved with these at the start of their first year.
Our reports on the experiences of the 2005 and 2010 intakes of MPs were used by the House of Commons Administration Committee during its inquiries into post-election services. House of Commons officials used the research in particular to inform the improvement of the orientation and induction offerings provided to Members after the 2010 and 2015 general elections. The research was also used by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) during its Review of MPs' Pay and Pensions.
After 2011, the 'A Year in the Life' research was extended to Members newly elected that year to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Irish Dáil. This expansion of the research allowed the generation of comparative insights and the potential for learning and exchange of best practice among the four parliaments and assemblies involved.
The UK Spending Review outlines how Government funds will be allocated over several years. Unlike the Budget, which raises revenue, the Review decides how it is spent. But how is it approved? What role does Parliament play if it doesn’t vote on the Review itself? This blog explores how the Spending Review works, how it differs from the Budget, and how Parliament holds the Government to account through the Estimates process.
On Friday 13 June, the House of Commons will once again debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Specifically, it will hold a second day of Report Stage, during which the whole House will debate and vote on amendments. This briefing explains the structure of Report Stage, what happened on the first day of Report Stage, how amendments are selected and grouped, on which amendments a decision can still be taken, and the likely sequence of events this Friday, including whether a final vote will take place.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, will deliver a statement on the Spending Review. MPs will resume Report Stage of the assisted dying bill and debate key legislation on football governance, mental health, and planning and infrastructure. Peers and MPs are expected to resolve their standoff over AI and copyright in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The Commons Defence Committee will hear from the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review, while a Lords Committee will examine the Chagos Archipelago sovereignty issue. The Hansard Society’s Director will give evidence to the Modernisation Committee about access to the House of Commons and its procedures.
In this episode, we explore why ministers keep bypassing Parliament to make major announcements to the media — and whether returning to the Despatch Box might help clarify their message. We unpack the Lords' uphill battle to protect creators’ rights in the Data Use and Access Bill, challenge claims that the Assisted Dying Bill lacks scrutiny, and examine early findings from a Speaker’s Conference on improving security for MPs, as threats and intimidation against politicians continue to rise. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.
Our evidence on treaty scrutiny has been published by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. Our submission outlines the problems with the existing framework for treaty scrutiny and why legislative and cultural change are needed to improve Parliament's scrutiny role. Our evidence joins calls for a parliamentary consent vote for the most significant agreements, a stronger role for Parliament in shaping negotiating mandates and monitoring progress, and a sifting committee tasked with determining which agreements warrant the greatest scrutiny.
