The Good Parliament Professor Sarah Childs July 2016 Contents Executive Summary

01 Executive Summary The recommendations in this Report are a blueprint for a representative and inclusive House of Commons. 03 Recommendations Summary They have the potential to significantly enhance the 06 The Good Parliament: Introduction effectiveness and legitimacy of the House. Institutional leadership will be provided by the newly created Commons The Good Parliament: Recommendations 12 Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion. 42 Appendices

54 Acknowledgements An Unrepresentative House The House of Commons is not as representative as it might be; its membership 57 Bibliography remains disproportionately white, male and elite

59 Endnotes One hundred years ago the Commons contained no women; had only ever returned a handful of minority ethnic men; and was largely filled with men of independent means. Much has changed over the last century. Yet, the House remains unrepresentative and its working practices continue to reflect the traditions and preferences of Members who have historically populated it. The House is, then, at some distance from meeting the international democratic standard for The Good Parliament: ‘truly representative, transparent, accessible, accountable and effective in all its functions’.1

Institutional Deficit

Historically the House of Commons has lacked the institutional will to address issues of representation and inclusion

Supported by: Members of Parliament are often regarded as individual office-holders. This can obsure a wider institutional responsibility to act. Hence, parliamentary reform is too often the result of individual MPs expending significant time and political capital. This is no longer a satisfactory state. The Good Parliament Report is for the House as an institution to ‘own’.

The New Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion

To redress its institutional deficiency, the of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, has established a new group of MPs

The Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion provides the necessary political and institutional lead to deliver on The Good Parliament. Formally chaired by the Speaker, it is comprised of a small number of Members, male and female, from across the House, and with the Deputy Speakers as Acting Chairs. Acknowledgements: The Good Parliament Recommendations Compiled and written by: Sarah Childs © University of , 2015 Extracts may not be reproduced without permission. The recommendations contained in this Report will transform who sits in the House, Front cover image: have the potential to significantly enhance Member effectiveness individually and Atrium by Tobias Till, 2012 (WOA 7381) © Parliamentary Art Collection collectively, improve the quality of parliamentary outcomes, and should ultimately Executive Summary image: raise the public’s regard for the House. © Political Studies Association Design: CW-Design: cw-design.co.uk Individual recommendations are explicitly linked to particular actors. This makes Print: Print Services, University of Bristol it easier to hold them and the House to account.

THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 1 Recommendations Summary

The 43 recommendations in this Report address The Speaker three dimensions of the Diversity Sensitive 1. Secure cross-party support for a concord regarding what constitutes Parliament: unacceptable and unprofessional behaviour in the Chamber, and more widely in the House; formally restate the House’s commitment to the highest standards of Member behaviour at the start of every parliamentary session; and improve sanctions against those who break the rules Dimension 1: Equality of Participation in the House 2. The Speaker’s Office should systematically and comprehensively monitor Ensuring a diverse composition and achieving equality of participation and report the speeches and interventions in debates, questions, private members’ bills and other parliamentary activities by MPs’ sex/gender and Recommendations are made first to the new Reference Group, the Secretary other major social characteristics of State for Women and Equalities, the House of Commons Commission, the Women and Equalities Committee, and the political parties, in order to 3. Permit MPs to be counted at the ‘door’ of the division lobbies when deliver a greater diversity of Parliamentary candidates and MPs. Secondly, accompanied by their children recommendations to the House of Commons Commission, the Procedure 4. Target a representative Parliamentary Press Gallery (Lobby journalists). Committee, political parties, and the Reference Group address what is necessary Neither women nor men should be in receipt of less than 40 percent of lobby to facilitate Members’ effective participation once present in the House. passes by 2020

3 Dimension 2: Parliamentary Infrastructure 5. Initiate an Inter-Parliamentary Union ‘Gender Sensitive Parliament’ audit in 2018 How Parliament organises itself and supports the work of Members

Key recommendations are made to the Speaker, the House of Commons The Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion Commission, the Leader of the House, and the Liaison Committee. 6. Publish a series of statements detailing and promoting the role and work Specific recommendations are also made to Parliamentary of MPs, to both educate the public more about what it is that MPs do, Standards Authority (IPSA). Looking to the likely temporary vacation of the and to explicitly signal the range of characteristics, skills, dispositions, and due to the poor condition of the buildings, a series of experiences relevant to the job of being an MP recommendations is made to the Procedure Committee and any new ‘Restoration and Renewal’ body. 7. Engage in various parliamentary and other activities to enhance the supply of, and demand for, diverse parliamentary candidates

Dimension 3: Commons Culture 8. Secure a cross-party concord regarding candidate selection for the 2020 Parliament following the boundary review:4 all political parties should seek Making the culture of the House of Commons more inclusive to increase the percentage of its women MPs – at the absolute minimum all parties currently represented in the House should maintain existing Recommendations are aimed at the Speaker of the House, The House of percentages of women MPs Commons Commission, any new ‘Restoration and Renewal’ body, the Women in Parliament All Party Parliamentary Group, and the Works of Art Committee. 9. Introduce prior to dissolution for the 2020 general election statutory sex/ gender quotas to take effect for the 2025 general election if, three months Institutional Readiness2 prior to the 2020 general election, political parties currently represented in Parliament have failed to select at least 50 percent women in a party’s The timing of this Report is highly auspicious: two ‘windows of opportunity’ arise ‘vacant held’ and ‘target seats’. Introduce permissive legislation to allow for in the present moment conducive to Parliamentary action. party quotas for other under-represented groups, where parties have failed to select proportional percentages of candidates from these groups • The centenary of the Representation of the People Act and the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 10. Sponsor a measure to gender balance MP membership of the House of • The ‘Restoration and Renewal’ programme for the Palace of Westminster Commons Commission 11. Commission a comprehensive diversity and equality audit of the Independent 2018 is a timely reminder of the promise of equality in parliamentary participation Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), and submit its findings to the IPSA and representation in the UK. By implementing this Report, much could be consultation (October 2016) realised by the House of Commons within two years. Restoration and Renewal offers an additional opportunity for the House to deliver a new vision for 12. Produce a ‘House Statement’ on maternity, paternity, parental, adoption and Parliament, and in so doing achieve international recognition as the ‘gold standard’ caring leave Good Parliament.

2 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 3 13. Undertake a review for the provision of a crèche facility on the Parliamentary Liaison Committee Estate (in addition to the nursery) 28. Require the House Service to provide comprehensive and systematic 14. A rule change should be sought whereby any select committee witness diversity data in respect of select committees witnesses at the end of each panel of three or more must be sex/gender diverse if, by the end of the 2015 session, and establish annual rolling targets for witness representativeness parliament, select committees are not reaching a 40 percent sex/gender threshold amongst witnesses Procedure Committee 15. Introduce sex/gender quotas for the election of select committee chairs prior Ensure that House rules and structures, institutions, nomenclature and to the 2025 general election if, by 2024, the percentage of women chairs is 29. culture are diversity sensitive and inclusionary less than 40 percent 30. Prohibit single-sex/gender select committees, and encourage political parties 16. Revise the dress code to ‘business dress’ or ‘national costume’ to be mindful of wider representativeness in the election of members to committees The House of Commons Commission 31. Introduce greater predictability in the scheduling of House Business 17. Recognise the House’s collective responsibility for enhancing representation 32. Review the establishment of a ‘Division Time’, whereby multiple votes could and inclusion by formally taking note of the establishment of the Commons be taken together at a particular point of the parliamentary sitting Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion In the context of the expected temporary decant from the Palace of 18. Support the production of comprehensive website materials showing that a Westminster for Restoration and Renewal: diversity of people are, and can be, MPs 33. Trial sittings of the House based around ‘normal business hours’ 19. Support the development of a residential ‘Introduction to being an MP’ Programme for under-represented groups 34. Trial opportunities for remote voting by MPs physically present on the 20. Re-design the parliamentary identity pass 35. Trial new formats for Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) 21. Maximise Member opportunities, capacities and capabilities via Continuous Professional Development (CPD) The new Restoration & Renewal Body The Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and 36. Trial new layouts in any decant Chamber, and review provision of a new Equalities Chamber for the return to the Palace of Westminster

22. Immediately commence Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 (which requires 37. Provide for flexible committee and other meeting rooms in a restored Palace political parties to provide data relating to parliamentary candidates) 38. Provide for inclusionary social spaces for MPs in a restored Palace

23. Clarify the status and effectiveness of the Access to Elected Office Fund for 39. Provide sufficient toilet capacity across the Parliamentary Estate supporting disabled people to stand for election as local councillors or MPs5

Works of Art Committee The Women and Equalities Committee 40. Abolish the ‘10 year dead’ rule, whereby only individuals who have been 24. Call the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities before the Committee dead for at least a decade are represented in the artworks in the Palace of regarding commencement of Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 Westminster

41. Commit to diverse artwork in a restored Palace of Westminster The Leader of the House of Commons

25. Put before the House a motion to establish the Women and Equalities The Women in Parliament (WIP) All Party Parliamentary Group Committee as a permanent select committee of the House, by amending Standing Order No. 152 42. Campaign for male MPs to sign up to #nomoreallmalepanels

26. Set the recess dates for each parliamentary session, at least one session in advance Political Parties

27. Abolish recess and sitting Fridays 43. Engage in various activities to increase the supply of, and demand for, diverse parliamentary candidates

4 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 5 The Good Parliament: Introduction

The UK Parliament is facing urgent Arguments for diverse representation Diversity Sensitive This is not because women’s political “First, we are behind the curve questions about its workings,6 worth,7 in politics are multi-dimensional:12 the representation is settled in the UK, or “It is not the job of oil rigs to compared with working practice and how the Palace of Westminster’s under-representation or marginalisation Parliaments Approach that the House of Commons is already reflect society; it is not the job in much of industry, and the crumbling condition might be of key social groups is unjust when gender sensitive. It is not. Rather the of oil rigs to push for laws and The Inter-Parliamentary Union has repaired.8 In responding, advocates of there are obstacles that limit political DSP approach acknowledges that charitable and public sectors, developed a globally influential ‘Gender regulations to improve families’ parliamentary democracy in general participation.13 In the House of women are not the only group under- and that is a problem. Secondly, Sensitive Parliaments’ framework lives; and the world does not and the House of Commons in Commons, as is the case for many represented in politics and Parliament, that has been employed to identify if we act differently and change particular would be usefully guided of the world’s parliaments, individual, and that these other exclusions should look at the people who work on international best practice. A Gender the culture and working practices by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s institutional, and structural features also be acknowledged and rectified. oil rigs for an example of what Sensitive Parliament (GSP) is a political here, we can change how definition of parliamentary good constitute significant barriers for For a parliament to be truly inclusive, our culture should be. But it is institution that responds to the ‘needs practice. The Good Parliament is one securing diversity amongst elected attention to diverse exclusions and others operate. We should do and interests’ of both women and men the job of Parliament to do those that is ‘truly representative, transparent, representatives.14 Reforms to make to intersectionality and within-group that, because we are here to in terms of its ‘structures, operations, things... what business do we accessible, accountable and effective parliaments more representative are differences is necessary. methods and work’.21 A GSP is one change and improve the United in its many functions’.9 This Report also made on the grounds that there having asking big business and that has removed the ‘barriers to Kingdom.” contains recommendations that is a link, albeit not a straightforward Three dimensions critical to realising a big employers to do something women’s full participation’ and offers 10 together have the potential to make one, between ‘who’ is present in our representative and inclusive House of we are simply not willing to do The late Jo Cox MP ‘a positive example or model to the membership of the House more political institutions and the quality Commons guided the development of society at large’.22 Box 1 below ourselves?” representative; enable Members to be and legitimacy of our democratic the recommendations in this Report:23 summarises the questions to be asked 20 more effective in their parliamentary processes and outcomes.15 This is Jess Phillips MP of a parliament in order to determine work, both individually and collectively; not to say that only female MPs can Dimension 1: Equality and whether it is gender sensitive. and to enhance the representational ‘stand for’ women, or that only Black Participation within the House relationship between the British public, and Minority Ethnic (BME) MPs ‘act Box 1: Members, and the House of Commons for’ minority ethnic groups. Nor is Dimension 1 asks the question of Inter-Parliamentary Union Gender as an institution. this about the quality of constituency how a diverse group of MPs might Sensitive Parliament Questions representation achieved by individual be selected for, and elected to, Four compounding principles MPs. Instead it points to a measure Parliament and how, once present, Is your Parliament Gender Sensitive? underpin the Report: of the representational relationship they are enabled to become effective at the aggregate level; between the 1. How many women are there in your participants across Parliament’s 1. A greater diversity of MPs should be institution of Parliament and the people Parliament? What positions do they core activities: representation and hold? present in the House of Commons, that it seeks to represent, descriptively, interest articulation, legislative scrutiny, not least in terms of class, disability, substantively and symbolically.16 2. Are there laws to support gender and executive accountability. This 11 equality? Does your Parliament have “If you put eight Conservative ethnicity, sex/gender, and sexuality dimension addresses in particular When inclusive, a parliament has the gender equality objectives and a the composition of the House of men round a table and ask gender equality plan of action? Are 2. An inclusive, effective and potential to become a much more Commons,24 and MPs’ participation them to discuss what should workplace policies in tune with men representative Parliament is about effective political institution. This may and women’s realities? across the House leadership, and in its be done about pensions, more than simply increasing the be due to: (i) a greater awareness of various committees. you’d get some good answers. diversity of Members elected to the the public’s multiple needs, interests, 3. Are gender considerations integral to the work of Parliament? Restoring incentives to save. House; it also requires their equal and perspectives; (ii) consideration Dimension 2: Parliamentary and effective participation therein of a more expansive set of issues 4. Is the Parliamentary culture non- Infrastructure Ending means testing. Raising and interests; (iii) more informed sexist? Are there facilities suited to the retirement age. But what 3. The House of Commons has an decisions, as different talents and skills men and women? Dimension 2 takes a critical look at you’re less likely to get is a important symbolic role to play in and perspectives and experiences, 5. Are men shouldering their gender the way in which Parliament facilitates powerful insight into the massive British society, over and above its provide new insights and question equality responsibilities? the work of Members and whether unfairness relating to women’s substantive role: it should embody ‘group think’ and the dominant ways 6. How sensitive are political parties this privileges a particular type of the principle of equality and fairness, of doing things;17 and (iv) enhanced MP – explicitly or implicitly. It covers pensions... We need people to gender? acting as a ‘role-model’ institution legitimacy, as the public feel better everything from the buildings and Source: IPU 2011, 117 from diverse backgrounds to represented by parliament, as a furniture of Parliament to the official inform everything we do, to give 4. The responsibility of delivering consequence of better descriptive and rules and working practices that The Good Parliament is very much us the benefit of their diverse on The Good Parliament resides symbolic representation, and a greater underpin the array of Members’ informed by the IPU’s GSP framework, with the House of Commons as responsiveness to them.18 parliamentary activities. It includes experience, to ensure that we however it takes a broader approach an institution. In other words, the provisions for MPs by IPSA, the stay in touch with the reality of to issues of representation by utilising House should acknowledge its There is, moreover, an incongruity in Independent Parliamentary Standards a Diversity Sensitive Parliaments life in Britain today.” collective responsibility to redress a parliament which is unequal and Authority. (DSP) approach, created as a result of MP19 current limitations in representation exclusionary when, as a legislature, it research that underpins this Report. and inclusion makes laws on such issues.

6 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 7 Dimension 3: Commons Culture of the parliamentary nursery (2010); Table 1: ‘RAG’ Analysis of the UK House of Commons: Representation and Inclusion more diverse representation in the Dimension 3 acknowledges that the artwork that adorns the walls of Dimension Measure Red Amber Green official, written-down rules never tell Portcullis House and the Palace; and, Equality of Participation Diversity of MPs32 the whole story about how institutions unbeknownst to many, the sex quota Women’s House leadership positions33 function on the ground – this is what written into the Standing Orders for might be thought of as the ‘normal the election of the Deputy Speakers Women’s participation (internal structures; committees) 31 way of doing things’. It is, admittedly, (2010). Many of the changes that Infrastructure Standing Orders34 frequently hard to pin down informal gave rise to these ‘Amber’ measures Calendar & sitting hours institutional norms, practices and culture. notably required the expenditure of That said UK parliamentary culture, as considerable personal and political Equalities & diversity body (policy)35 elsewhere, is not fixed but an evolving capital over sustained periods of Equalities & diversity body (institutional) phenomenon, subject to change. time. Only in a single instance does Parliamentary buildings & spaces the Commons unambiguously score ‘Green’. Note that the one item scoring Childcare & child-friendly provisions How diversity sensitive is ‘Green’ – the Women and Equalities Maternity & parental leave Committee (WEC) – is both a very Culture House commitment & action plan the House of Commons? recent creation (2015), and is not a permanent feature of the House. Chamber culture (PMQs & ‘set pieces’)36 In important ways the House of Commons in 2015 is more descriptively The House of Commons is not an representative of the society it seeks unchanging institution. In recent years a There have also been changes to transform the House of Commons. to represent than previously. All of number of reforms addressing diversity the hours of the House to limit late It is more appropriate to conceive of the main political parties are publicly of participation and representation have night sittings (over a longer period of a process – of the House becoming committed to the principle of diverse been implemented. These include: time),43 and some MPs are involved a better Parliament over the next few “I want to see a Parliament that representation. Over the last two in the Workplace Equality Networks years.46 is representative of the country decades parties have put in place • An amendment to the Equality (WENs) which have been established that we live in...The number selection processes designed to Act 2010 which extended the Sex for House employees.44 Finally, and as For each recommendation a deliver a more representative group of of MPs who are from different Discrimination (Election Candidates) recommended by the 2014 Women responsible decision-maker (actor candidates.27 There have been some ethnic, religious and social Act 2002 until 2030. This is the law in Parliament APPG Report, and or institution) is identified. They have notable successes, particularly in 1997 that permits the use of sex/gender noted above, a Women and Equalities ownership of this recommendation backgrounds, and the number of (Labour: sex/gender) and 2015 (Labour, quotas by political parties Committee was established following and they are responsible for taking disabled people in Parliament, is Conservative and the Scottish National • The Speaker’s Parliamentary the 2015 general election. action on it. Where the likelihood not as high as it should be.” Party: age, ethnicity, sex/gender and of a reform being introduced looks sexuality). The lack of working class placement scheme (for people from MP25 37 less favourable a secondary actor representation has become a more high disadvantaged backgrounds) and/or compounding or alternative profile political concern over the last • Permitting the celebration of civil Recommendations for 28 recommendation is identified. Explicitly decade. partnerships within the House38 The Good Parliament linking each recommendation to “Our democracy is worse off if • Repeal of Section 141 of the Mental a particular actor or institution Table 1 documents the diversity This Report offers a ‘menu’ of practical parents, women, and disabled Health Act 1983, which stated that within the House, and in whose insensitivities of the current UK House solutions – 43 recommendations – to people don’t think the life an MPs detained on grounds of mental remit the recommendation falls, of Commons according to the three address the diversity insensitivities that illness might be required to vacate along with identifying more than MP is for them....[but] this isn’t dimensions of equality of participation, remain in the UK House of Commons. their seat39 one possible recommendation just about MPs...over 2000 parliamentary infrastructure, and In some instances these restate reflects past experience of reform Commons’ culture. It uses traffic • The creation of a fund to support staff are employed by the or revise recommendations from at Westminster.47 It has proven all light colours to signal whether the disabled people with additional House of Commons alone. The previous Inquires and Reports, not too easy for parliamentary reforms – Commons is doing badly (red) or costs they may face when standing least the 2010 Speaker’s Conference including those likely to be effective unpredictable hours, difficulties well (green). Amber signals there has for election as a councillor or MP40 on Parliamentary Representation and with widespread support – to with Parliament sitting during been some improvement but that and the 2014 Women in Parliament 29 • The establishment of the nursery ultimately fail to be adopted or fully school term time, and childcare considerably more needs to be done. 45 on the parliamentary estate in APPG Report, Improving Parliament. implemented. Reticence to act might The preponderance of ‘Red’ in the issues matters just as much to September 201041 The recommendations are specific derive from party or other reasons, Table underlines just how far the them.” and technical, and target the short, such as executive/legislative relations House of Commons has to travel.30 • Provision for childcare vouchers medium and longer term with a mix or positional advantage. At other times Melanie Onn MP26 The ‘Amber’ items reflect recent for MPs42 of soft and hard measures. No one the intent might be present but there improvements: the establishment recommendation will be sufficient to

8 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 9 is a collective failure to take ownership Reference Group, Mr Speaker made The ‘Restoration and Renewal’ (R&R) of the problem and its solution. For concrete his longstanding commitment process for the UK Parliament is an these reasons, the recommendations to parliamentary representation, and additional opportune moment for in this Report are grouped not by made it more likely that the promise consideration of reform of the House the expected effect they will have of the 2010 Speaker’s Conference of Commons. The Director of the on the House according to the three on Parliamentary Representation Hansard Society, Dr Ruth Fox, has dimensions of The Good Parliament, would be realised. It also immediately spoken of R&R constituting a ‘once- but by the responsible parliamentary meets one of the key measures of the in-a-150-year opportunity’.52 Any new actor or institution. This approach will IPU’s Gender Sensitive Parliament, body established to manage R&R must make it much easier in the future to and redresses a clear institutional keep the principles of representation hold particular actors and Parliament deficiency at Westminster: the lack of and inclusion firmly in its sights. With as a whole to account. an official Parliamentary group made an explicit commitment to diverse up of Members whose very purpose representation and inclusionary politics, Underpinning the Report’s approach, is to address the representation and decisions could be taken, and action and indeed many individual inclusion agenda within Parliament. set in train, that would see the House recommendations, is then the principle A good many of the recommendations of Commons become a globally of institutionalisation: Parliament’s in this Report are targeted at the recognised ‘best practice’ Diversity diversity insensitivities should not be Reference Group, and it is expected Sensitive Parliament in the very near thought of as the responsibility of that this Report will inform its future. those individuals negatively affected Programme of Action for the rest of by them, or those MPs prepared to the 2015 Parliament. By also holding expend personal and political capital other parliamentary actors to account on them.48 Nor can reform be handed the Reference Group is uniquely over solely to the political parties; positioned to act as an institutional their interests might at times conflict catalyst for change.50 The Reference with the House as an institution. The Group will be in place following the commitment to The Good Parliament 2016 Summer recess. is for the House to sign up to as an institution. Of course, the historic It is a felicitous moment to act. 2018 preference for regarding MPs as will mark the centenary of both the individual office-holders reflects the Representation of the People Act, individual mandate Members receive and the Parliament (Qualification of from the electorate. This in turn Women) Act. The first Act abolished explains the apparent reluctance nearly all property qualifications for of them to embrace an institutional men, thereby enfranchising most identity, making it harder for Members working class men, and gave the vote to accept a collective responsibility. to women aged over 30 with property. Nevertheless, the House of Commons The second permitted women to stand is the pinnacle of UK parliamentary as candidates and be elected as MPs. democracy and it functions on a daily If Mr Speaker was to initiate an Inter- basis as an institution. Parliamentary Union ‘Gender Sensitive Parliament’ audit of the House of The necessity of an institutional Commons on the 100th anniversary of response to the ongoing diversity these Acts (Recommendation 5 of this insensitivities and deficiencies in the Report) this would be a significant and House of Commons was the reason high-profile move by the House.51 The that one key recommendation was UK could become the first parliament made to the Speaker, the Rt Hon John from an advanced democracy to Bercow MP prior to the publication of undergo this international assessment. this Report: the establishment of a new If the Commons reached the standard parliamentary body, The Commons of a ‘best practice’ parliament, the Reference Group on Representation IPU would showcase its achievement and Inclusion.49 By creating the around the world.

10 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 11 The Good Parliament: Recommendations

The Speaker Speaker Recommendation 2 Commons – given its current sitting be set for 2020. In the meantime, data “When waiting in the Chamber (Short term) hours, Members with young children should be published annually on the using Parliament’s nursery or another Parliament website for sex/gender and for several hours to speak in Speaker Recommendation 1 The Speaker’s Office should local childcare facility may very well other social characteristics of Lobby an all-day debate I asked if I (Short term) systematically and comprehensively find themselves caring for their children members, disaggregated by pass monitor and report – on an could dive out to make sure Secure cross-party support for a whilst also working in the House.68 type, and media organisation. In this annual basis – speeches and my son had eaten and was told concord regarding unacceptable way the public can be made aware interventions in debates, questions, that I would invalidate my claim “The perception of parliamentary and unprofessional behaviour in Speaker Recommendation 4 of how different media organisations private members’ bills and other the Chamber, and more widely in (Medium term) are faring. Within three months a to speak if I did as ‘it’s about culture as aggressive was parliamentary activities by sex and the House; formally restate the scheme should be put before the choices’.” other major social characteristics60 frequently cited as a barrier House’s commitment to the highest Target a representative Administration Committee to target a Rupa Huq MP62 to participation in the written standards of Member behaviour Parliamentary Press Gallery (Lobby parity Lobby. Such a scheme might, It must not be the case that some evidence we received, on at the start of every parliamentary journalists). Neither women nor men for media organisations in receipt of MPs feel excluded from participating should be in receipt of less than 40 our online forum and in our session; and improve sanctions more than one pass: (i) set a ‘rolling in Chamber debates or other against those who break the rules percent of lobby passes by 2020 target’: no new passes will be given to discussions around the country.” parliamentary activities. Full data “When my daughter was born an organisation unless passes issued 53 should be gathered by the Speaker’s 18 years ago, during Divisions I Speaker’s Conference 2010 Much is said – and reported – about The public receives its representations to women for that same organisation Office to determine the veracity of the style of politics that characterises of Parliament mediated by journalists. have reached the 40 percent minimum; had to leave her in the Lib Dem anecdotal claims that some MPs are the House of Commons Chamber. It is through their lenses and pens or (ii) set an ‘end point target’: where Whips Office with members of staying away from the Chamber whilst that what is happening in the Without wishing to reduce the an organisation fails to reach 40 staff in their early 20s...things others are said to dominate particular “[ MP] agreed with passion, deliberation and debate House is received. A homogenous percent female by 2020, the total parliamentary occasions and activities. have improved slightly since me from the Chair that it was too of the Chamber, unprofessional, Parliamentary Press Gallery risks a number of passes will be capped at If such differential participation is then.” often the case that some male sexist and exclusionary language narrow representation of parliamentary the point where they reach 40 percent established, a review should be politics, offering a particular ‘take’, MPs fail to listen to their female and behaviour should have no female.72 Where a media organisation Tom Brake MP63 undertaken to consider new standards 69 place in the House.54 Reflecting the or at worse, a distorted account. only receives one pass at any one time counterparts, but she hoped that and sanctions. concerns of some MPs identified Political concerns – those not shared there should be an expectation that this would be overcome with in previous academic studies and by the Lobby – might also simply go over time, the sex/gender of holder “persistence”....Even before this parliamentary inquiries, and for both Speaker Recommendation 3 unreported. Independent research switches between women and men. depressing episode another Tory symbolic and substantive reasons, (Short term) has made clear that women MPs are the Speaker should: (i) secure cross in receipt of less coverage, and at the MP felt compelled to refer to my Permit MPs to be counted at the Speaker Recommendation 5 party agreement, by working with same time, highly critical and gendered “stockings” in a passing remark ‘door’ of the division lobbies when 70 (Medium term) party leaderships and the whips, media copy. accompanied by their children64 on my way into the debating to uphold professional standards Initiate the IPU Gender Sensitive chamber that very morning. by all Members;55 (ii) regularly and Table 2 below details the skewed Parliament audit As the 2015 BBC documentary Inside 56 composition of Parliamentary Lobby Small victories like this one, formally remind the House of these; 65 the Commons laid bare, the House 71 and (iii) police all transgressions, journalists. This shows considerable Initiating the process of an IPU audit especially with the active support of Commons is far from a child-friendly and if necessary introduce new improvement from the 1980s, but of the House of Commons would of the Deputy Speaker, make a institution – the image of Jenny Willott sanctions. Statements relating to reveals that men currently constitute mark out the UK as the first advanced MP running to the division lobbies with difference.” sexist language and behaviour, the nearly 75 percent of all Lobby democracy to subject its Parliament her toddler was a powerful one. The 61 principle of diversity and equality, and journalists. to a Gender Sensitive Parliament Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP long-standing tradition of disallowing non-harassment should be explicitly evaluation. The first step involves children in the lobbies (they were until included in the concord.57 To address the over-representation of a self-assessment audit and the recently thought of as ‘Strangers’) men in the Lobby a clear target should identification of a monitoring body. was overturned in the last Parliament Members should be reminded by the MPs and Duncan of Erskine May, the Guide to Hames ‘rule breaking’, and carrying Table 2: Female Parliamentary Lobby Journalists, 1983-2015 Parliamentary Practice: ‘good their baby through the lobby.66 Whilst temper and moderation are the one could increase the age of children Number of Number of Percentage of characteristics of parliamentary permitted to be taken through the Lobby members women women language’ (emphasis added).58 This Lobbies, it is preferable that a rule is 1983 135 7 5.2% reminder of professional standards introduced allowing MPs accompanied applies beyond MPs’ relations with 1993 209 28 13.4% by their young children to be counted each other, to interactions with at the ‘door’ of the Lobby.67 This 2003 188 32 17.0% parliamentary and personal staff, reform simply reflects the reality of the 2015 171 44 25.7% and Lobby journalists.59 working conditions in the House of Source: Dod’s Parliamentary Companion, various years

12 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 13 The monitoring body would be the A composition of women and men life, a job description sets out the key in various ways’. Hence it should: new Commons Reference Group on reflects the principle that any new roles and responsibilities alongside ‘contain general principles and ‘Throughout the Inquiry, Representation and Inclusion. The body addressing representation and required and expected candidate main objectives and tasks, rather Members consistently referred IPU directly supports Parliaments in inclusion must itself be diverse.76 It characteristics, experiences and skills. than highly detailed prescriptions’. to the benefits and flexibilities of conducting assessments and makes follows the ‘40, 40, 20’ rule; that no Being an MP is widely thought of as To date this Speaker’s Conference life as a Member of Parliament at visible ‘best practice’ and ‘model one sex/gender should be represented distinct from other occupations or Recommendation has not been acted Westminster...Many MPs noted Parliaments’; the House of Commons at less than 40 percent, and no one professions. MPs will often emphasise upon. should seek such a standard. To begin sex/gender represented at more than that there is no one ‘ideal’ type of MP. that it gives them considerable this process in the centenary year of 60 percent (this rule also allows for There is seemingly a broad consensus In conjunction with political parties and flexibility and satisfaction...if women first gaining the right to vote those who reject binary identities). that it is up to the individual MP to experts inside and outside the House, this were more widely known and to sit in the House of Commons The Speaker is the official chair of weight the various dimensions of an including the Education Service and amongst the general population, would be most fitting, and would the Commons Reference Group on MP’s work: representing constituency Outreach, the Commons Reference this Committee believes more add to the other commemorative Representation and Inclusion but his interests and their constituents’ Group on Representation and Inclusion celebrations already in place for Deputies will be acting chairs. The individual interests (case work), should produce a statement that diverse candidates would be 2018.73 Deputy Speakers are in addition to parliamentary scrutiny (written and oral speaks to the non-political citizen, encouraged to step forward.’81 the ordinary committee Members. questions, membership of a Public revealing to ordinary people what By handing over the active chairing Bill or select committee or All Party MPs do in Parliament and in the The Commons to the Deputy Speakers, Mr Speaker Parliamentary Groups, for example), constituency,86 and showing that being is importantly signalling the group’s and party work, in the constituency an MP is something that all can aspire “I have generally been able Reference Group autonomy from any Speaker as an and in Parliament. to.87 This would address in a new to get home on a Thursday to on Representation individual.77 way the aforementioned Speaker’s pick up my 10-year old...we ‘The five key components and Inclusion The main political parties represented Conference recommendation for the are sometimes able to flex our The Reference Group will liaise with at Westminster already outline – albeit House to create a job description of being an MP: (1) working working days and plan around party and House leaders, including to lesser and greater degrees – what whilst at the same time taking seriously with and for local people The Commons Reference Group on Whips, key Committees and their they are looking for in parliamentary MPs’ reluctance to define what our home life. I think my little Representation and Inclusion has the (constituency work); (2) the chairs, (e.g. Procedure, Liaison, candidates, as noted in the 2014 might be taken to constitute a ‘job 10 year old thought to himself: potential to deliver significant symbolic publicly perceived aspects: Administration, and the Women and Women in Parliament APPG Report.83 prescription’, and therefore something and substantive improvements ‘I’m a bit better off than many speaking in the Chamber, being Equalities Committee), backbench In some instances these criteria were they could not support. The cross- within the House. Its very existence others’.” on select committees, taking part Committees, party Groups, and developed explicitly to address a party agreement will have additional symbolises that the House of 82 relevant APPGs, not least the WIP commitment to equal opportunities symbolic value: demonstrating in a Karin Smyth MP in all party parliamentary groups Commons – as an institution – takes APPG. It will also work closely with in party processes of candidate non-partisan way, and to audiences seriously diversity insensitivities and (APPGs), seeking amendments, the Clerk of the House, the Director selection.84 These party candidate beyond existing party members, what deficiencies, issues of representation speaking in the House and General, the Workplace Equality descriptors are to be welcomed; they it takes to be an elected representative and inclusion, and, indeed, elsewhere, issuing press Networks, and the wider House enable party members to consider at Westminster. The Reference parliamentary effectiveness and Service, including, the Education, if they have the requisite credentials Group should instruct political parties releases; (3) work[ing] for your standing. Substantively, the Group’s and Outreach and Engagement to be successful in the parties’ represented in the House, and permit political party; (4) using the role remit is to take the lead for delivering, teams. Externally it should liaise with recruitment processes. other civil society actors, to cross- in a systematic and sustained fashion, to pursue particular interests; relevant civil society groups.78 The reference this statement on the public The Good Parliament agenda. It (5) being an employer.’79 Reference Group will be supported by What of the member of the public pages of their websites. provides political and institutional a secretariat of procedural, subject- contemplating the work of an MP? leadership, and will act to ensure that based and administrative support. It is at the stage prior to someone individual parliamentary actors, as Commons Reference Group on joining a political party that the House well as the House collectively, fulfil Representation and Inclusion “Next time you see an image of of Commons has an important role their roles in implementing necessary Commons Reference Group on Recommendation 7 an almost empty Chamber, take to play. It should act to both educate reforms. The Group will draw up Representation and Inclusion (Medium Term) the public more about what it is that a moment to consider where a Programme of Action for each Recommendation 6 MPs do, and explicitly signal the range Engage in various parliamentary else MPs may be and what parliament, and will report to the (Short Term) of characteristics, skills, dispositions, and other activities to enhance the they could be doing – whether Speaker on an annual basis. They Publish a series of statements and experience that makes for ‘good’ supply of, and demand for, diverse should, via the Backbench Business scrutinising Government on detailing and promoting the role representatives. This was the clear parliamentary candidates committee, seek an annual debate on Select Committees, raising and work of MPs, to both educate statement of intent of the Speaker’s the floor of the House. issues for debate in Westminster the public more about what it is Conference (Recommendation 14): • Seek biennial parliamentary that MPs do, and to explicitly signal ‘A description of the main functions debates at the time of International Hall, working on behalf of The Commons Reference Group the range of characteristics, skills, of a Member of Parliament should Women’s Day to discuss the individual constituents facing on Representation and Inclusion is dispositions, and experiences be drawn up, agreed between the diversity of parliamentary candidates comprised of a small membership: difficulties, dealing with party relevant to the job of being an MP parties and published.’85 Note, this selected by political parties for the 9 MPs, women and men, from across matters, campaigning, or running recommendation acknowledged that subsequent general election88 the House reflecting party balance, How do you know if you want a such a description ‘should not remove a busy office as an employer.” and should include Members from particular job? How do you know if you the scope for MPs to approach the • Seek amendment – at the Sir MP80 other under-represented groups.74 can do a job? In most other walks of job of representing their constituency earliest opportunity – to any Parties nominate members.75

14 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 15 new employment law (in the the House should maintain existing Parliament have failed to select The general debate over quotas is well spirit of Speaker’s Conference percentages of MPs92 at least 50 percent women in a rehearsed.100 In summary, critics will Recommendations 36, 37 and party’s ‘vacant held’ and ‘target state that they are unfair and offend the 38) to give approved prospective The Government’s legislation to seats’.95 Introduce permissive principle of merit,101 whilst advocates parliamentary candidates who are reduce the size of the House to 600 legislation to allow for party quotas will query the meritocratic nature of employees the right to request a Members constitutes, on paper, an for other under-represented groups, current selection processes,102 and reasonable amount of unpaid leave opportunity that could be seized to where parties have failed to select provide international evidence that during working hours, and the right deliver a parity Parliament in 2020. proportional percentages of quotas work.103 The diffusion of quotas to work flexibly for the purposes of Crudely, if the political parties selected candidates from these groups96 is documented in Chart 1 below. campaigning at a general election equal numbers of women and men and or by-election, or to receive a candidates in the seats they expect The 2010 Speaker’s Conference There may always be residual grant from the state equivalent to to hold and, or are very likely to win at concluded that solutions to address resistance to the idea of quotas in the minimum wage for the period the next general election, then all other the under-representation of one group principle, but the evidence in respect of sometimes known as the short things being equal, the Commons in in Parliament might not be appropriate sex/gender quotas – in the UK104 and campaign 2020 would overnight constitute a sex/ for another under-represented group. globally – is in the same direction sex/ gender parity Parliament. If the parties There is considerable academic gender quotas (when well designed) • Amend the Sex Discrimination selected women and men from a range and civil society consensus that deliver increased numbers of women (Election Candidates) Act 2002 of backgrounds the House would also the most effective intervention for into legislatures.105 There is a 10 either: (i) to remove the sunset be more representative across other women’s under-representation is the percentage point difference between clause; or (ii) to revise the sunset dimensions as well. ‘quota-plus’ strategy.97 Quota-plus countries using sex/gender quotas clause so that it is triggered only refers to the introduction of sex/ and those that do not.106 And of those when women and men constitute This is no doubt rather fanciful. Factor gender quotas alongside supply- countries with more than 30 percent no less than 40 percent of MPs for in incumbency and the number of side interventions such as training, women Members of Parliament, over two consecutive Parliaments openings for new candidates will be mentoring, and additional funding. 80 percent use some kind of quota.107 far fewer. Indeed, unless explicit action Turning to BME representation, there Close to home, the positive impact of • Commission a report into the is taken the boundary review more is some talk of quotas but there is as legislative quotas can be seen in the sexist, racist, disablist, classist, and likely constitutes a challenge to a more yet no substantial public appetite for March 2016 election in the Republic homophobic treatment of MPs by representative Commons. This is the them.98 Consideration of ‘All working of . This saw 35 women the print media at the midpoint of view of some senior women Members class’ quota appears to be growing, Members (TDs) elected, resulting in this, and each, Parliament89 and some civil society actors. All although like BME quotas there is no an overall percentage of women TDs political parties should seek to increase demand akin to those for sex/gender of 22 percent. Compared with 2011, • Commission data detailing the the percentages of their women MPs. quotas.99 Research on sexuality and when there were only 25 women percentage of MPs from under- The minimum that the parties must representation frequently privilege TDs, this constitutes an increase of represented groups acting as official do is to sign up to a commitment cultural change amongst the public 40 percent.108 That there was also spokespeople for their parties in the that there will be no decline in the and political parties. In respect of a 90 percent increase in the number national press, and participating in percentage of women selected in their disability arguments tend to emphasise of candidates demonstrates that the key TV political programmes90 party’s held and target seats for the enhancing the resources made creation of an artificial demand for 2020 general election, compared with available to disabled persons seeking women candidates – via quotas – had • Ask the Consultative Panel on the 2015 general election. (A target selection as parliamentary candidates. a positive impact on the supply pool Parliamentary Security to report on seat is one where the party came 2nd what more can be done to protect or 3rd by a margin of 5 percent or less.) Chart 1: The Adoption of Sex/Gender Quotas over Time MPs from social media violence, As Baroness Anne Jenkin puts it, ‘no and what more can be done to woman left behind’.93 Political parties Number of Countries protect the children of MPs from currently represented in the House only media intrusion91 by male MPs should publish a target 90

for the number of women MPs they are 80 Commons Reference Group on seeking to elect in 2020. 70 Representation and Inclusion Recommendation 8 Commons Reference Group on 60 (Medium Term) Representation and Inclusion 50 Recommendation 9 Secure a cross-party concord 40 (Longer term) regarding candidate selection 30 for the 2020 Parliament following Introduce prior to dissolution in 20 the boundary review: all political 202094 statutory sex/gender quotas parties should seek to increase to take effect for the 2025 general 10 the percentage of its women election if, three months prior to 0 MPs – at the absolute minimum the 2020 general election, political 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 all parties currently represented in parties currently represented in Source: Table 6.1 from Paxton and Hughes, 2016

16 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 17 of women.109 In other words, women For example: in appointing selection by parties and election House of Commons is sitting, and will put themselves forward in greater parliamentary members of the to the House of Commons. IPSA returning to his wife, children and numbers when quotas are integrated House of Commons Commission make commitments to support ‘MPs Labrador on the weekends is an into the system of candidate selection. under section 1(2) (d) of the House working from two fixed locations’ and old-fashioned and masculinised of Commons Administration Act to provide ‘appropriate support for model of an MP.118 Given the current Commons Reference Group on 1978 and external members of the MPs’ families’.113 IPSA are currently parliamentary calendar and sitting Representation and Inclusion Commission under section 2B of that consulting on the MPs’ Scheme of hours of the House of Commons, the 114 Recommendation 10 Act, the House should ensure that at Business Costs and Expenses. single-parent MP, the MP who wants least two are men and two women. An Equality Impact Assessment to reside with their family as much as (Short Term) This rule change would have an is to be ‘developed during the possible, and the MP with a partner Sponsor a measure to gender additional symbolic effect: in fulfilling consultation period’. IPSA add: working in , will want to have balance MP membership of the the IPU’s ‘sharing responsibility’ ‘there will be a full assessment of their children with them in London House of Commons Commission principle, a male dominated House any changes that we make to the when the House is sitting, and in the of Commons Commission would rules following consultation’.115 In constituency at the weekends and The House of Commons Commission be demonstrating its institutional line with a recommendation of the during recess. A regime of business ‘is responsible for the administration commitment to a Diversity Sensitive 2014 Women in Parliament APPG costs and expenses that does not and services of the House of Parliament. Improving Parliament Report, this support such will likely Commons’.110 The current sex/gender Report recommends a comprehensive skew the supply pool of candidates composition of the Commission is Commons Reference Group on diversity and equality review that to those who follow a more traditional highly unfortunate; none of the MPs Representation and Inclusion feeds into IPSA’s current consultation. family model or those who have on the Commission are female. 119 Recommendation 11 Box 2 outlines diversity sensitive independent means. IPSA should in Such a state of affairs cannot easily principles that should inform IPSA’s its 2016 review reflect on the adequacy (Short Term) be defended in 2016. To prevent review of MPs’ Business Costs and of the accommodation ‘uplift’ for this happening in the future, a rule Commission a comprehensive Expenses. children, and the rules regarding change should be introduced. A diversity and equality audit of partner and child travel between the gender-balanced House of Commons the Independent Parliamentary In previous reviews of IPSA’s provision constituency and Westminster. There Commission should be achieved by Standards Authority (IPSA), and for MPs the claim that MPs’ pay and is qualitative evidence to suggest that 2020, at the latest. Accordingly, and submit its findings to the IPSA conditions do not affect the diversity some MPs are having to supplement in a similar fashion to the requirements consultation (October 2016) of the supply pool of parliamentary these allowances with their own that the Speaker and Deputy Speakers candidates was challenged by gender funds.120 are comprised of both women and Any pay and expenses regime must equality experts and some women men MPs,111 the Reference Group work for all MPs; pay and expenses MPs.116 Subsequent academic ii. Defend the principle that should seek a rule change that must not constitute a barrier to a more research established for the first ‘connected parties’ can be requires a mixed MP Membership.112 diverse group of individuals seeking time that there was a significant legitimately employed by MPs as ‘motherhood gap’ in Parliament.117 part of a wider commitment to Problematic gendered assumptions the principle of family Box 2: Diversity Sensitive Principles and MPs’ Business Costs and Expenses continue to underpin the system of The expenses and pay regime for MPs should neither explicitly nor implicitly MPs costs and expenses, working to In 2014-15 IPSA report that there discriminate against certain groups of people. This is for reasons of equality and the detriment of the parent MP – male were 171 connected parties employed fairness, but also because to do so would likely negatively impact the supply pool of and female; and there are unintended by MPs and that 25 percent of MPs candidates seeking election. Given the difficulty of determining this relationship, the consequences of existing rules and employed a connected party.121 It is precautionary principle should come into play practices that particularly affect clear from qualitative evidence that Any expenses and pay regime for MPs should be explicitly designed to facilitate the working class MPs, and MPs without the right to employ a connected party effective work of an MP at both Westminster and in the constituency additional private wealth. is valued by many MPs and by the connected party.122 This right should Within this overarching commitment to the ‘effective’ MP, MPs’ resilience, and that of their family, should be central The following general principles should be maintained as it is one way in which inform the Audit commissioned by some MPs – like other small family IPSA should always act to ensure the retention of a diversity of MPs; where issues of the Commons Reference Group on businesses – manage their work/ retention are identified, measures should be implemented to directly address these Representation and Inclusion: life balance and family commitments. MPs’ experiences of housing, travel and security are likely mediated by their gender It should be noted that IPSA find and other identities, not least ethnicity, disability and sexuality, as well as their family i. Defend the principle of the family there is no ‘substantive evidence of situations and support sufficient funds for misconduct in the employment of MPs should not feel obliged to supplement their pay and expenses costs with their family accommodation in the connected parties’.123 own private income; being an MP should be affordable by people from across socio- constituency and Westminster, economic backgrounds and for familial travel between iii. Seek the equitable publication of IPSA should be cognisant of the media context within MPs live and work; and Westminster and the constituency costs incurred by MPs in respect recognise that some groups of MPs, such as women, LGBTQ or BME MPs, of their children. That is, like might receive more hostile coverage; and that some groups of MPs may be more The traditional image of an MP residing the additional costs incurred for concerned about the possible impact of the media on their families in a London pied-à-terre when the reasons of disability or additional

18 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 19 security, these should be legitimate use of taxis is further limited In directly addressing the question The current ruling on infant feeding “An MP asked, could I please published at the aggregate and by the perception that the media will be of MPs with parenting and caring in the Commons Chamber and in put on a lunchtime seminar with not individual level highly critical of MPs even when they responsibilities, the Reference Group committees was set out in a written MPs who had had babies whilst are correctly claimed for. would importantly be responding to answer from Marion Roe MP, then elected to the House so that The additional costs incurred by contemporary concerns amongst Chairman of the Administration MPs with children are currently Commons Reference Group on women MPs from across the floor of Committee, in March 2002: new MPs could find out about treated inequitably relative to the Representation and Inclusion the House, notably identified in the how to time and manage their additional costs incurred by MPs Recommendation 12 2014 Women in Parliament APPG Mr. Speaker [Michael Martin] has pregnancies, and how best to with disabilities, and in relation to Report.129 Following a consultation informed the Committee that, (Short Term) address the care of young babies additional security costs.124 This period,130 clear recommendations after undertaking broadly-based with parliamentary work and the leaves MPs who make claims for Produce a House Statement should be made by the Reference consultations within the House, he legitimate children related costs on maternity, paternity, parental, Group to the Administration has decided to make no change to parliamentary week.” being perceived as ‘expensive’ in adoption and caring leave. Committee.131 For the period of leave, the current regulations under which Report author, citing a 2015 the media, by political opponents, All parties represented in the the MP might choose to: breast-feeding is not permitted in intake MP and amongst the public. This is one Commons would be expected to the Chamber, in Committees or in reason why some MPs do not claim sign up to this i. Vote remotely (i.e. off the the public galleries (HC Debate 7 their legitimate expenses; and it is Parliamentary Estate)132 March 2002 c467W). why the least expensive MPs – often There is, as previously noted, “My partner and I have already valorised by the press – are frequently a sizeable ‘motherhood gap’ in ii. Appoint a proxy from amongst Infant feeding is highly charged for both decided that we can’t have a older men either without children, Parliament, with fewer women MPs fellow party MPs to vote and critics and advocates alike. Advocates family if I am an MP. They don’t or with grown up children. Whilst having children relative both to male otherwise act for them in respect hold that babies should be fed MPs, to women in comparable want to be a single parent and IPSA should of course confirm the of tabling questions, amendments, whenever they are hungry, wherever legitimacy of all costs associated professions, and to women more etc. in Parliament133 that may be.140 Critics frequently they would be, back in the with MPs’ children, there is no public widely in society. Some 45 percent cite the ‘check-out critique’: what is constituency with the child.” interest in this information being of women MPs do not have children iii. Be formally and transparently inappropriate for the supermarket is 141 2015 intake MP linked to individual Members. All the compared to only 28 percent of male ‘paired’ so that any absence inappropriate in the Commons. latter does is feed critical comment of Members.126 from Parliament does not the parent MP. affect the balance of party According to a senior Commons Arrangements regarding maternity, representation in divisions134 clerk the issue of infant feeding iv. Ensure that IPSA acknowledges paternity, parental, adoption, and is really a question of whether to that MPs’ experiences of caring leave for Members are informal In considering these options the permit babies into the Chamber and security are likely affected by and operate at the party level. This Reference Group should look to the, committees. This move would enable their identities no doubt results from the historic albeit limited, best practice in other all Members to fully participate in maleness of the House. Yet, to parliaments,135 as well as external House business. Members may well The issue of security is keenly felt become a truly inclusive institution institutions, and work with IPSA to sit in the Chamber and in committees by women MPs at Westminster,125 the House of Commons must deliver an appropriate scheme. A for a number of hours either listening and felt to be afforded insufficient accommodate and facilitate both working principle should be that MPs to a debate or waiting to speak. In recognition by IPSA. This might the pregnant woman Member and should have flexibility in how they addition to allowing Members to carry well be true of other Members as co-parenting and caring MP. Table balance their caring,136 legislative, out their representative functions, well. The address of the family 3 (below) shows how parliaments and constituency duties. permitting entry to infants would have home in the constituency is often commonly respond to maternity, symbolic benefits – showcasing the widely known, and some MPs are paternity, and parental leave.127 It To permit infants in the Commons as a role-model parent- concerned that they are frequently reveals that provision for maternity Chamber and committees friendly institution.142 It is accordingly alone in their constituency home with leave is, in the majority of parliaments, recommended. The provision of proper their children, and without sufficient the same as the national law, although As part of their consultation the facilities for infant feeding near the protection. The rules permitting taxi more than one quarter makes no Reference Group should revisit the Chamber and across the Parliamentary use in the evenings are also felt to provision. Paternity and Parental leave question of infant feeding in Parliament. Estate should also be made. be overly restrictive, relative to public fare less well, suggesting that the Globally, the practice appears to and private sector provision. The father MP is rarely recognised. be on the rise.137 In February 2016 Considerable media criticism might be the Australian House amended its expected if the House was to move to allow infants into the Chamber Table 3: Parliamentary Provision of Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave Standing Orders to allow breast and bottle feeding.138 Elsewhere, it and committees.143 In a recent No provisions Same as National Law Own Provisions is frequently neither formally ruled parliamentary debate Sir in nor ruled out.139 Once again this MP warned that the wider ‘merits’ Maternity 26% 62% 12% likely reflects the historic under- of family friendliness might well ‘be Paternity 49% 45% 6% representation of women, and undermined’ and ‘ridiculed’.144 The Parental 60% 39% 1% especially mothers of young children, late Jo Cox MP disagreed: ‘we should in parliaments. take on the popular press if it is critical Source: IPU128

20 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 21 and say, “this is what women do; get has in addition the potential to be House’s more usual ways of acting. neutral way, one that removes men’s over it”. It is good for children, so we hugely symbolic. The Commons would Incumbent chairs of select committees stricter dress code.161 Today ‘business should advocate it’.145 If permitted, one be presenting itself as an exemplar would first indicate their willingness to dress’ does not always require of men need not expect either the presence of an open, inclusive and welcoming stand again. This information would a jacket and tie.162 Adding ‘national of babies or their feeding to become a institution. become part of the informal process of costume’ would furthermore reflect routine event in either the Chamber negotiation between parties when they the UK’s multicultural traditions and or committees. Commons Reference Group on ‘divide up’ committee chairs by party, recognise that Members may wish to Representation and Inclusion as in current practice. Once these wear something other than Western 163 Commons Reference Group on Recommendation 14 incumbents are agreed upon (either dress. Individual MPs would they stand unopposed or are elected hereafter become the arbiter of their Representation and Inclusion (Medium term) Recommendation 13 as chairs), the party whips could divide own dress, no doubt assisted by the A rule change should be sought up the remaining chairs by lot, followed national and local media. The Speaker (Short Term) whereby any select committee by elections based on single sex/ and Deputies could retain their role in Undertake a review for the witness panel of three or more gender nomination papers to gender deciding whether this was ultimately provision of a crèche facility on must be sex/gender diverse if, by balance chairs overall, using either the of an acceptable standard.164 the Parliamentary Estate the end of the 2015 Parliament, 50:50 or ‘40, 40, 20’ target. select committees are not reaching The establishment of the nursery on a 40 percent sex/gender threshold Commons Reference Group on The House of Commons the Parliamentary Estate represented amongst witnesses Representation and Inclusion a sea-change in the provision Commission Recommendation 16 Parliament made for parents working In addition to Recommendation 28 (Medium Term) at Westminster. The nursery provides made to the Liaison Committee As the parliamentary institution tasked a particular kind of childcare: the regarding enhanced data collection Revise the dress code to ‘business with the responsibility for the overall permanent placement of 40 children and monitoring of select committee dress’ or ‘national costume’ administration and services of the up to the age of five.146 It is open to witness composition, and in the House of Commons, the Commission Members, their staff, House staff, instances where this fails to change The issue of Members’ dress code should be one of the key parliamentary lobby journalists and civil the skewed sex/gender composition is vexed. This is in part because, actors to help deliver The Good servants. The nursery symbolises of select committee witnesses by the as a custom, different Speakers Parliament. Over the last few years that Parliament takes the needs of end of 2019, then a rule change have not always enforced the same it has increasingly taken seriously its Members and staff seriously, and should be sought.151 standards.155 It is also the case that its responsibilities to address issues signals to the outside world that, just norms of dress in the Chamber, as in of equality and diversity in respect like other ‘best practice’ employers, it Commons Reference Group on wider society, are explicitly gendered. of administration and parliamentary 156 staff.165 This Report calls on the values parents amongst its workforce Representation and Inclusion Take the issue of hats: male MPs are Commission to publicly recognise and will act practically to support Recommendation 15 not permitted to address the House them. whilst wearing a hat whereas women its, and the House’s, key role in (Longer term) are exempt from this rule.157 If ‘large engendering a more inclusive, and A parliamentary crèche in addition to Introduce sex/gender quotas for the briefcases’ ‘should not be brought ultimately more effective, Commons the nursery would provide a different election of select committee chairs into the Chamber’ but ‘small bags are on the Member side as well. kind of childcare: ad hoc and short- prior to the 2025 general election if, permitted’,158 there might again be a term.147 As in the Scottish Parliament, by 2024, the percentage of women gendered distinction in play. As with the recommendations to this would be primarily externally chairs is less than 40 percent the Commons Reference Group on facing, aimed at, for example, visitors Some male MPs are evidently Representation and Inclusion the to the Parliamentary Estate;148 Even as the ‘percentage of women aggrieved, charging that the principle House of Commons Commission witnesses to committees or APPGs; [select committee] chairs has increased of demonstrating ‘respect’ for the should initiate the removal of real and, and members of the public attending successively over the last three House is offended by women’s ‘knee or perceived, barriers to the public’s formal events and meetings. It could Parliaments’, only 6 out of 27 select length boots’ and ‘denim’.159 The participation and representation at also benefit Members on those committee chairs are female.152 At underlying problem lies not with a Westminster. It should act to signal occasions, such as school holidays, 20 percent, the current percentage is particular concept of style or fashion, that the Commons is ‘open to all’, when they might find their children lower than the 29 percent of women but the convention itself: men are as voters, constituents, and aspiring with them in London, or when MPs in the House of Commons overall. expected to wear a jacket and tie in Members. In other words, under the Parliament ‘sits past its scheduled The means by which to achieve gender the Chamber and women to dress with direction of the Commission, the times’.149 In all these practical balance across select committee chairs the ‘equivalent level of formality’.160 Yet House Service should act to ensure ways a crèche has the potential to is not easy, given their elected nature. there is no functional ‘equivalent’ to the that that the public have a greater support the wider goals of The Good Chairs may stand for two parliaments male suit and tie for women – unless understanding of the constituency and Parliament by affecting the make- or 8 years, whichever is longer, and one wants to suggest women must parliamentary roles and work of MPs, up of members of the public visiting so incumbency limits openings.153 always wear a suit and blouse. and associated skills and capacities, in Parliament, those attending in a Strict rules could be devised154 but a order to (i) increase public engagement political capacity,150 and, on occasion, second approach is advocated, one The solution offered here is simple: with, and understanding of, Parliament, Members. The provision of a crèche arguably more in keeping with the to reframe the convention in a gender (ii) engender greater participation in

22 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 23 electoral politics, and (iii) ultimately • Digital and social media is for political office in the future. This The House should via the House of broaden the supply of ‘political extensively deployed (e.g. the ‘MP programme would be in addition Commons Commission restate its talent.’166 It should, secondly, address for Week Game’ and the to, and complements the Speaker’s responsibility to assist all Members institutional rules, practices and norms campaign #MPforaweek)169 Placement Scheme.176 Applicants in learning the skills necessary for that limit Members’ participation and would have no prior experience of effective parliamentary participation. • The Information Office and media effectiveness within the House. It working in the House; nor previously This responsibility applies to the teams highlight stories about the can also act to persuade the political worked for MPs or political parties; new Member and should also be work of Members and the business parties that they should do all that they must not have stood for national available for all Members, especially of the House can to support a diverse membership political office; not be an approved those considering taking on new roles of the House. • The Visitor Services team conduct prospective parliamentary candidate within the House.180 Much has been tours of the Palace of Westminster for a registered political party; and done in this respect in recent years, they must come from currently under- albeit with variable levels of take- House of Commons • The ‘About Parliament’ webpage170 represented groups, including young up. The Commission should seek, Commission takes the virtual parliamentary people, and those who have had, or via the parties’ leadership, greater Recommendation 17 visitor to a range of material have, caring responsibilities.177 ‘buy-in’ from Members for Continuing (Short Term) detailing what Parliament does Professional Development (CPD). and who works in it171 Recognise the House’s collective House of Commons responsibility for enhancing • Expect that all candidates The provision of comprehensive Commission representation and inclusion by standing for election as select website materials is the first step that a Recommendation 20 formally taking note of the creation committee chairs – including parliament as an institution committed (Short Term) by Mr Speaker of the Commons incumbent chairs – to have to diverse representation and inclusion Reference Group on Representation Instigate a re-design of the completed specified chair can take to invite the public to think and Inclusion parliamentary identity pass training sessions, including of themselves as political actors, equality and diversity training. and to become the candidates and By explicitly taking note of the new Parliamentary passes identify who Completion of this training could be MPs of the future. Additional website Commons Reference Group on has a right to be present on the linked to the pay associated with information about ‘being an MP’172 Representation and Inclusion, and Parliamentary Estate, and who has a chairing a select committee should include amongst its content: providing it with resources, the House right to access particular parts of the (i) comprehensive candidate and MP of Commons Commission would be Estate. This is in large measure about • Redouble efforts encouraging diversity data, in the spirit of Section fulfilling its own remit to give political security, although it is also about MPs’ members to take up CPD 106 of the Equality Act 2010 (see direction and leadership to the House privacy, and historically reflected the opportunities provided by the Recommendations 22, 24 and 43 in of Commons. more hierarchical approach to those House. This would involve working this Report);173 (ii) podcasts by diverse who worked in Parliament. There is with party leaderships, the whips, MPs showing how they do their job as plenty of qualitative evidence that the MPs and external experts to create House of Commons MPs, how they manage their work/life current pass system leaves too many a new series of CPD181 Commission balance, and how their experiences of – especially young, female and BME Recommendation 18 pre-parliamentary work assists them Members (and staff) – questioned about (Short Term) in their MP work;174 and (iii) multiple their identity and status. Should you be ‘Day in the life of an MP’ stories.175 The Secretary of State Support the production of in the Members’ lift, in that particular It should also make direct links to comprehensive website materials corridor, or on the Terrace?178 Such for Education and the series of statements detailing showing that a diversity of people questioning is frequently experienced and promoting the role and work Minister for Women are – and can be – MPs as discrimination at the individual level, of MPs drawn up by the Commons and Equalities and at the collective and symbolic level Reference Group on Representation Parliament has made a significant reinforces problematic assumptions and Inclusion, as recommended above commitment to education and about who belongs in Parliament. Minister for Women (Recommendation 6). outreach in the last few years: There is a very straightforward and and Equalities pragmatic solution: parliamentary Recommendation 22 • The new Education Centre was House of Commons passes should be double-sided with (Short Term) opened in 2015167 Commission (bigger) photographs and names on Immediate Commencement of • A Parliamentary Studies Module Recommendation 19 both sides.179 Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 is taught in just shy of 20 (Medium Term) Universities168 Support the development of a House of Commons Section 106 of the Equality Act • The Speaker’s Lecture Series residential ‘Introduction to being Commission 2010 was intended to ensure that all has been running for more than an MP’ programme Recommendation 21 political parties provided full diversity five years (Medium term) data regarding candidate selection Establish a short residential in advance of each general election. • Regional outreach officers work with Maximise Member opportunities, programme for those interested in Transparency is the means by which local communities and partners, capacities and capabilities gaining more knowledge of Parliament the public and civil society would be hosting events and workshops via Continuous Professional and potentially considering standing able to hold parties to account as Development (CPD)

24 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 25 the process of candidate selection In 2012, following up on her role 106 of the Equality Act’.183 Neither of Minister for Women ‘We support the suggestion of took place. In other words, it would as Acting Chair of the Speaker’s these two Government statements, and Equalities no longer be left until the day after Conference, Dame Anne Begg MP nor indeed the political parties’ Recommendation 23 a Democracy Diversity Fund the general election to total up the called in the Commons Chamber published data, has fulfilled the (Short Term) which could be drawn upon numbers of women MPs, or the for ‘central management and intention of the Speaker’s Conference by local political parties to number of BME candidates, and guidance’ regarding the collation recommendation. Accordingly, it was Clarify the Status and Effectiveness support the work of developing lament the homogeneity of the and monitoring of candidate almost impossible for the public and of the Access to Elected Office for House. At the Speaker’s Conference diversity data. Her fellow Conference civil society to hold the parties to Disability fund186 talented individuals from evidence session in 2010 with each Member, Jo Swinson MP, agreed account for their selection outcomes under-represented groups and of the then leaders of the three main that Parliament should ‘think about as they happened at the 2015 In December 2015, in a written answer also to provide bursaries to 184 to Caroline Lucas MP, the Minister, parties, Gordon Brown MP, David a mechanism for regularly holding general election. individuals who would otherwise Cameron MP and MP, the Government and the House Caroline Dinenage MP, wrote that ‘an be unable to sustain the costs all agreed to the provision of such and the parties to account’. In The current Minister for Women evaluation of the pilot fund is currently data. These promises have only responding, the Coalition Equalities and Equalities, the Rt Hon Nicky being undertaken and will be published of candidacy. There must be been periodically and incompletely Minister, MP, Morgan MP, should commence in due course’. She also stated that ‘an strong controls in place to make delivered upon, and frequently only made clear her preference for a Section 106 forthwith. Given the announcement regarding the future of sure the money is not abused 182 the fund is anticipated early in 2016’. after repeated pressure from senior voluntary approach. Two years 2010-15 data demonstrating the and therefore the scheme’s MPs. later in 2014 the then Minister, size of the motherhood gap in It is timely that a full and transparent effectiveness and propriety MP reiterated the same the UK Parliament, noted above, review of the fund be published Speaker’s Conference Report sentiment: ‘I am very pleased that but not known at the time of the forthwith and that a statement be should be regularly evaluated Recommendation 25 made explicit the main parties are acting on their Speaker’s Conference, parenthood made as to its continuance.187 by the Electoral Commission, the nature of the information which agreement to publish the data ahead status and child/children age should in reports which should be laid was to be supplied by the parties, of the 2015 general election as an additionally be sought. The diversity before the House at least once as outlined in Box 3 below. alternative to implementing section data should also detail the selection The Women and every Parliament. The Electoral method under which candidates are selected: the formal ‘rules’; dates Equalities Committee Commission should consult Box 3: Speaker’s Conference Report Recommendation 25 when these were in operation; and (WEC) the Equality and Human Rights detailing which candidates were Political parties registered under part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Commission when evaluating the Referendums Act 2000 should be required to publish details of their candidate selected by which method at which Women and scheme.’ selections online every six months, on 31 March and 31 October, setting out, for point. The Minister might consider Equalities Committee Speaker’s Conference, each potential candidate at each stage of the selection process, the following including religion as an additional Recommendation 24 information: characteristic, given that it is a Paragraph 214 (Short Term) (a) the administrative region in which the selection takes place; protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Call the Secretary of State for (b) the method by which the candidate was selected; Women and Equalities Minister (c) whether the party: Finally, to ensure transparency and before the Committee in respect of (i) currently holds the seat for which the candidate was selected; or easy public access to this data, the Commencement of Section 106 (ii) came second or third in the seat at the last general election within a margin the Minister should empower the of the Equality Act 2010 of less than 5% of the votes cast; or Electoral Commission to host (iii) came second or third in the seat at the last general election within a margin Without full, easily accessible, and of more than five per cent but less than ten per cent of the votes cast; the data collected under Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010. It comparative diversity data from all (d) the sex of the candidate; would henceforward become a political parties seeking representation (e) the ethnicity of the candidate; and duty of the Electoral Commission in the House of Commons, it will be very hard to hold the political (f) whether the candidate is willing to identify as a disabled person. to publish (i) parties’ candidate diversity data by seat safety every parties to account for the selection The reports might also include the following information: six months (31 April and 31 Nov) of a diverse group of candidates for (a) where a candidate is willing to identify as a disabled person, the nature of the on a dedicated webpage. The data Westminster. The powers, as already impairment; would be structured by party and by noted, are established in legislation 185 (b) where a candidate is willing to state his or her sexual orientation, the sexual seat safety. (ii) parties’ selection but they need to be brought into orientation of the candidate; methods, rules, and outcomes, force by the Secretary of State. If the by seat safety. The Electoral Minister for Women and Equalities (c) the age of the candidate; Commission should also be asked does not respond favourably to the (d) the occupation of the candidate at the time of selection; and to investigate what measures, if recommendation made to her in this (e) the highest level of the candidate’s educational attainment. any, might be necessary to support Report (Recommendation 22), the smaller parties in the collection of Women and Equalities Committee such data. should call the Minister before the Committee and request that she immediately commence Section 106.

26 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 27 The Leader of the House MPs and constituents to plan ahead Leader of the House Liaison Committee for events and meetings in both, and Recommendation 27 Leader of the House for MPs to undertake additional UK (Medium term) Liaison Committee and overseas visits;189 (ii); enhance Recommendation 25 Recommendation 28 efficiencies in the use of the Houses’ Abolish the party conference (Short Term) (Short Term) resources (financial and staffing) if the recess and sitting Fridays Put before the House a motion to Lords and Commons sittings were Require of the House Service the establish the Women and Equalities made to marry as part of this process. The House of Commons currently annual provision of comprehensive Committee as a permanent Select This would contribute to improved rises in July, returns in September for and systematic diversity data Committee of the House, by perceptions of the two Houses as an two weeks, and then rises again – to in respect of select committee amending Standing Order No. 152 effective bi-cameral institution; and permit the political parties to hold witnesses, and establish annual (iii) bolster MPs’ work/life balance, their conferences – before returning in rolling targets for witness The establishment of the Women and enabling them, for example, to plan early October. This recommendation representativeness Equalities Committee (WEC) following their Easter holiday and childcare is that the Commons should: (i) sit the 2015 general election redressed arrangements a little bit sooner than continuously following the summer In-House and academic research finds 193 a clear limitation in the legislature’s after Christmas, as was the case this recess; and (ii) no longer sit the composition of witnesses to select 194 scrutiny of the executive. The year. on Fridays. The advantages of committees highly skewed in men’s amendment to Standing Order No. 152 Parliament sitting continuously after it favour – just one-quarter are women. that gave life to the WEC is however Critics will counter that Parliament returns from the summer recess and Some select committees, notably the time limited for this Parliament (see must be a responsive institution. Yet only Monday-Thursday are multiple. Treasury, have witness compositions Box 4 below).188 The loss of the WEC Parliament is routinely recalled when This timetable would: that are 90 percent male.202 Such should be an unthinkable backward the House is not sitting and when • Remove any (mis)representation an unrepresentative set of witnesses move for the UK Parliament, both there are unexpected or time sensitive of MPs going on ‘holiday’ just a risks a ‘perception that the House of 190 symbolically and substantively. The political crises. Moving to a fixed couple of weeks after Parliament Commons is a closed institution’; one Government must act to ensure that it calendar need not damage the House’s returns in September that ‘does not hear from witnesses is made permanent. ability to react when necessary, given with whom the general public • Produce operating efficiencies at that it already has the procedural identify’.203 There are multiple ways in Parliament Leader of the House flexibility to respond to such events.191 which the diversity of witnesses can Recommendation 26 When compared with other institutions • Recognise that the rise of multi- be achieved: the provision of additional and workplaces, universities and (Short Term) party politics at Westminster no resources to compile and maintain a schools, for example, such a move longer fits with the idea or practice more diverse ‘rolodex’; ‘joining up’ Set the dates of parliamentary recess seems not very radical, either.192 One of a ‘party conference season’195 different parts of Parliament that deal for each parliamentary session, at year into a Parliament, and with clear with external contacts and experts, • Free up an additional 12 sitting least one session in advance indications that some backbenchers such as the Parliamentary Office of days for parliamentary business are becoming restless on the issue of Science and Technology (POST) and that more than compensates for Certainty in the dates of the time management, it is appropriate Outreach; and explicitly asking existing the ‘lost’ Fridays196 parliamentary calendar would: (i) permit for the Leader of the House to re-visit contacts to identify potential witnesses greater clarity for MPs and the public the virtue of this recommendation in • Permit reconsideration of the from under-represented groups. In the in respect of both parliamentary and the context of the effectiveness of the timing of summer recess to better first instance committees should when constituency representation, enabling House. reflect Scottish school holidays197 inviting witnesses from organisations ask for the names of both a man and a • Guarantees a weekday day for Box 4: Standing Order No. 152 woman.204 constituency representation,198 which potentially reduces The Text of the amended Standing Order No. 152 The House Service should moreover 1 2 weekend work commitments for (Select Committees related to governmental departments is as follows) be required to gather, evaluate, and the MP (bolstering MPs and MPs’ Standing Order No. 152 produce annual reports documenting families),199 whilst expanding (Select Committees Related to government departments) data for committee witnesses MPs’ opportunities to meet disaggregated by sex/gender and (1) Select Committees shall be appointed to examine the expenditure, administration with constituents.200 This point other major social characteristics, for and policy of the principal government departments as set out in paragraph (2) of importantly acknowledges that this order and Associated public bodies. each individual select committee and constituency representation is overall. Witnesses could be asked (2) The committees appointed under paragraph (1) of this order, the principal today a larger aspect of MPs to fill in a form before their evidence departments of government with which they are concerned and the maximum work.201 numbers of each committee shall be as follows: session or prior to receipt of any expenses.205 A league table of the Name of Principal government Maximum Committee departments covered members best and worst ranking committees should be published each year. Rolling 19 Women and Equalities Government Equalities Office 11 annual targets should be set for 1 New text in italics each committee until no sex/gender 2 This amendment is to have effect until the end of the current Parliament participates at levels of less than 40

28 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 29 percent, and until proportionality is are, except for the seasoned clerk and Take Standing Orders 7 & 8, for most important are those chaired achieved for other social characteristics. longstanding or exceptional MP, difficult example.211 These SOs presume that and made up disproportionately by to decipher. Not being fully appreciative MPs seeking a seat for questions or men. Such horizontal and vertical There may be some exceptional of, or misunderstanding, a practice a debate later in the day are able to segregation is important for the circumstances, for example, regarding can only limit MPs’ effectiveness. It be present in the House some time, equality of participation amongst MPs. a highly specific topic or role where the would likely also engender a sense of and perhaps many hours, prior to It also affects the work that committees supply of witnesses may be limited, marginalisation within the House. At this. In so doing, the SOs may very undertake, and for the authority with and, or may not be very diverse. In times the necessity for very precise well be highly disadvantageous to which committee inquiries and reports these cases a clear reason should parliamentary language may be real; at MPs who have caring responsibilities, are held. The absence of ‘established’ be given by the committee chair other times this may be the triumph of disability or health issues or live some male MPs on the WEC has, for and documented as part of the data tradition over transparency. In respect way from the House of Commons. example, been said to invite the view collection on committee witness of the former, an alternative, accessible As one MP put it, ‘It’s not the first that ‘inequalities are not a big concern diversity. Where a committee seeks to account should be made available for day of the Sales’.212 On specified for the most powerful group in the make a claim that there are ‘too few’ Members, and indeed for the public; in parliamentary days where the numbers land – the stale, male, pale majority of diverse candidates amongst the pool the latter case, a process of rewriting is in the Chamber are likely to be larger Parliament itself’.218 Fiona Mactaggart of witnesses, the committee should be appropriate. than the capacity of the benches MP cites a clerk to the Defence required to seek a formal ‘waiver’ from (e.g. PMQs, the Budget and Queen’s Committee to show how women’s the Liaison Committee, having first To limit any opaqueness in the formal Speech) there could be a ballot for membership shifted that Committee’s put out a particular public request for and informal rules and workings seating in the second and third row of agenda: ‘we used to talk about how diverse witnesses. of the House, the clerks could be benches near the Speaker.213 Or take big the bombs are...now we also required to produce ‘explanatory the conventions of ‘Elder Statesmen’ talk about the families of people who It is also important that the face of the notes’ for Standing Orders.206 The sitting on the ‘first front benches seat fight’.219 UK Parliament represented by select already produces The beyond the gangway’,214 or of the role committee members abroad is not Companion to the Standing Orders.207 of seniority – and not just experience – The recommendation for sex/gender overwhelmingly male and white. Data There should also be: (i) the immediate in being called to speak. Seniority can balance on select committees is for UK and overseas committee visits implementation of gender neutral but privilege white men, given most straightforward: where parties have disaggregated by sex/gender and drafting amendments to the Standing women’s and most BME MPs’ more more than one member to be elected other major social characteristics for Orders:208 (ii) an audit of gendered, recent election to the House. This to a select committee, the mode of each committee should be gathered. exclusionary and alienating language convention, in other words, ‘only works ‘transparent’ and ‘democratic’ method Again, rolling annual targets should in official House documents relating for men’, or more precisely some of election must provide for the election be set for each committee until to the operation of the House. These men.215 of at least one woman and one man, proportionality is reached. might be explicitly gendered, e.g. e.g. through the use of preferential Father of the House, and Chairman Procedure Committee voting.221 A proviso is also added: no of Ways and Means, or implicitly Recommendation 30 MP should sit on more than two select The Procedure gendered or exclusionary e.g. purdah, (Short Term) committees, so as not to over-burden Chairman of Ways and Means (rather any Member. Committee than Deputy Speaker), Serjeant at Prohibit single-sex/gender select Arms and Maiden speech.209 Given and domestic committees, and A new sex/gender balancing rule Procedure Committee the gap between what the formal encourage political parties to be for select committees is in the spirit Recommendation 29 written down rules say and how they conscious of representativeness in of the original Wright Committee 216 (Medium term) are actually applied in practice, there the membership of committees intention for membership of the Back should also be within 18 months (iii) a Bench Business Committee: ‘... Ensure that House rules review of parliamentary customs and It highly undesirable in 2016 that remaining members [to] be elected and structures, institutions, every-day practices, especially those the composition of some select by all the House, in the same way nomenclature and culture are that might be perceived as opaque committees is so skewed by sex/ as deputy speakers, with provisions diversity sensitive and inclusionary or which might act to alienate some gender: Culture, Media and Sport Members. Critics might claim value in has a single woman MP and the By formalising the principles of such historical legacies or suggest that WEC just two men, for example. inclusion and representation in official they have little substantive relevance Recent research has established that parliamentary proceedings, this should for most MPs and on most occasions. the proportion of women members positively affect wider cultural change But even if not for substantive reasons, on the Foreign Affairs and Defence over time. there may very well be symbolic Committees has been significantly grounds for revision or abolition. The lower than the percentage of women Standing Orders (SOs) are a test of a practice should be whether it in the House overall and below central part of the ‘rule book’ of the contributes to an ideal of an MP that the average of other departmental House of Commons, setting down is exclusive, for example, suggesting committees for the overwhelming responsibilities for different actors in a narrow social, cultural or economic majority of parliamentary sessions Parliament, and how these should act 217 elite, or Members without caring since 1979. It is also the case that in particular circumstances. In their 220 responsibilities or other needs.210 committees popularly considered the Treasury Select Committee current form the SOs of the House

30 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 31 to ensure some gender balance’, at be subject to Division Time voting, Table 4: Earliest and Latest Time of Division June 2015- January 13, 2016 least two men and two women.222 It perhaps being so designated at the is regrettable that in 2012 the House Programming stage. Contingent Days Earliest Time of Division Latest Time of Division agreed to Standing Order No. 122D, amendments would be addressed Monday 05:00 pm 12:28 am which, by moving from whole House following the Scottish model: votes Tuesday 01:45 pm 01:45 am to party-based election, had the effect on amendments to Bills are taken of removing this gender balancing immediately after the debate on the Wednesday 02:55 pm 10:15 pm 223 227 requirement. amendments. Thursday 02:55 pm 05:29 pm

Friday 09:34 am 02:07 pm Procedure Committee MPs are deeply split on the question Recommendation 31 of when and how best to conduct Source: House of Commons Department of Information Services236 (Short Term) divisions in the House of Commons. The argument against a single Introduce greater predictability in moment for divisions is clear: it If the principle of divisions taking place by Barry and Pugin that any the scheduling of House Business separates votes from debate.228 at a single moment of time each day vision of a renewed parliament This is sometimes said to have is looked upon favourably, then the becomes blinkered by their Gothic 242 ‘Improving the predictability of the substantive effects. The outcome case can subsequently be made that grandeur. The Joint Committee Parliamentary Calendar so that MPs of a vote might be changed as MPs this should be within what is broadly on the Palace of Westminster, which know whipping requirements and the are persuaded during the debate to accepted to be the business day: was appointed to consider the first 243 timetable of the business of the House vote in a particular way.229 A Division 4-5pm or 5-6pm are the obvious stage of R&R, and whatever new 234 further in advance’ was one of the Time is also said to reduce MPs’ choices. There is little to be gained body comes into being thereafter, seven key recommendations of the independence from the whips, as from holding the Division Time late in should be asking: What should the 224 235 2014 WIP APPG Report. Such a MPs might be more easily persuaded, the evening. parliament of 2030 or 2050 be like? move enables MPs to ‘plan their time cajoled or even coerced into voting in What form of building, what type and work more effectively both in the a particular direction as they gather Table 4 above shows the of furniture, what style of decor, House and in the constituency’. This for a series of votes. It might also unpredictability of divisions within will deliver The Good Parliament, is not just a lament from the mother be regarded as a ‘selfish’ move that the House of Commons. The ‘latest’ one that is truly representative, MP; the inefficiencies of the current makes MPs’ ‘lives easier’ rather time is the last division of the day. On transparent, accessible, scheduling are recognised by MPs, than making parliamentary scrutiny Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays accountable and effective? In all 225 male and female. For the good of better.230 – consecutive days that might this it must be minded that who sits parliamentary democracy, greater compound the impact of evening and in the House of Commons of the efforts should be made to improve the Advocates counter these points, later sittings – these clearly fall outside future may be – should be – much advance scheduling of Government arguing first, that grouped divisions a routine understanding of business more diverse than those who are business, moving to three weeks or a save MPs time for other parliamentary hours. It might be politically opportune currently elected to the House. month in advance. There needs to be activities, whereas the current system for the Procedure Committee to give “Today the most dangerous some flexibility admittedly, but there is is an inefficient use of MPs’ time.231 considered thought to a Commons At the time of writing, the most likely no suggestion that such scheduling Secondly, a Division Time is less Division Time given that debates scenario is that MPs will move out myth of all is that the process of 244 would be unable to respond to disruptive of other parliamentary about remote and electronic voting will of the House in the near future. reform is over. That great national 237 unexpected events. business as MPs will be able to likely not go away. A trial of some The individual reforms outlined exploit will never be over.” schedule their time with greater such Division Time arrangements below are underpinned by a Chris Bryant MP239 Procedure Committee certainty. Thirdly, the principle of could be recommended to the body commitment to experimentation that Recommendation 32 separating the debate from votes has established to handle Restoration and R&R decant permits. Most notably, (Medium Term) already been conceded with deferred Renewal during the likely decant from the physical form of the new spaces divisions.232 Fourthly, on most votes the Palace of Westminster. in which parliamentary debates and “Everyone who works in, or Review the establishment of a MPs will usually vote with their parties scrutiny will take place during any ‘Division Time’ visits, the Palace of Westminster thereby limiting concern about MPs’ Procedure Committee decant should be sufficiently flexible is constantly reminded of how independence. A proviso to designate in the context of decant for to trial new ways of doing politics Division Time refers to a distinct period the old lives with the new. I a particular vote outwith the new Restoration and Renewal238 – ways that might both enhance where MPs would vote in Parliament. rules would formally negate the the effectiveness within the House, think we are pretty comfortable In other words, votes are not taken and the legitimacy of the House ‘Syria’ critique; that a good speech in Restoration and Renewal (R&R) with this; history should be our on a motion immediately following the 233 amongst the electorate. In sum, a debate can change MPs’ minds. constitutes an unprecedented inspiration, not our jailor.” debate but at a specified Division Time wherever Parliament is temporarily Fifthly, this is not a practice without opportunity to imagine how on the same day.226 This might apply housed, it should be sufficiently Robert Rogers240 precedent in other parliaments, for Westminster might be. It is likely to (i) all divisions; (ii) limited to non- flexible so that alternative ways of example, and the European that Churchill’s observation that ‘we legislation; or (iii) limited to certain types doing politics could be trialled and, Parliament. Finally, a Division Time shape our buildings; thereafter they of business. Standing Orders could if successful, introduced in the preserves the practice of MPs coming shape us’ will be deployed to defend also provide for designation of a vote restored Palace. together to vote and lobby Ministers Parliament as currently constituted.241 or a piece of legislation that should not in the division lobbies. Yet there is a risk of being so shaped

32 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 33 Procedure Committee Table 5: Current Sitting Times of Defenders of the current hours and the mental and physical health of 257 “I chanced a little joke. If I was a Recommendation 33 the House of Commons Chamber frequently draw on the apparently all MPs (effectiveness), irrespective opposing positions held by the of where they reside and whether they spouse living at the other end of Trial sittings of the House Hours ‘London’ versus the ‘geographically have children or not (representation). the country, I would want to be based around ‘normal 253 Monday 2.30pm-10.30pm distant’ MP. It is said that changing Neither does business hours threaten assured that my other half was business hours’ to business hours might well be of MPs’ autonomy to do the job as Tuesday 11.30am-7.30pm snug in the warm bosom of the personal advantage to those MPs they like. With official Parliamentary The question of what hours the Wednesday 11.30am-7.30pm whose constituencies are in London business not taking place in the Mother of all Parliaments and not House should sit is highly contested. Thursday 9.30am-5.30pm or who choose to live in London. In evenings, MPs will be able to choose wandering the streets with too Reformers are told that the situation contrast, the geographically distant MP whether to undertake constituency much time on his hands and too today is much better than before. Friday 9.30am-3.00pm will be said to prefer the concentrated or other parliamentary work in the And they would be correct in this, much money in his pockets.” week, enabling them to return to their evenings if they so wish. Alternatively, as Table 5 shows,245 although it 254 Chart 2 (below) shows the average families and constituencies as quickly if their families are in London they Chris Mullin might also be the case that the hours time the House rises on each day. The as possible on a Thursday or even on might undertake family responsibilities. of the House are getting ‘worse’ 2014/15 session sat past 9pm on 19 a Wednesday. At the individual level, it Other MPs might choose to relax, so once again.246 The media have also occasions; the 2015/16 session has is likely correct to say that the London as to be fresh for parliamentary work reported that some male MPs wish to already sat past 9pm 26 times, roughly living MP would be the beneficiary, and the next day or for when they return to “It’s not that we [the turn the clocks backwards.247 the equivalent of once a week, and the non-London living MP bear the cost, their constituencies. On top of these geographically distant] would includes two sittings finishing after of any move towards business hours. positive substantive outcomes, there benefit from working hours – The Commons’ sitting times are midnight, with one lasting until nearly is also a final symbolic benefit: evening notably not fixed, with the House my family is in my constituency 2am.250 Only one of these would be Framing the issue in a ‘geographic’ sittings symbolise a House that frequently sitting beyond the official – but if we had normal hours, said to have been caused by an urgent fashion is however not the only – or excludes rather than includes.258 times: following the ‘moment of political issue.251 necessarily the most appropriate – way we’d return to our families and interruption’ there will often be a to decide parliamentary hours. When Procedure Committee constituencies on Thursday division, meaning that on a Tuesday It is worth re-stating that there is no Parliament make laws and when it Recommendation 34 evenings not exhausted by long or a Wednesday, MPs will be most objective reason for the current hours. holds Government to account is a unlikely to leave the House before hours; we’d have more energy Rather they reflect a continuation of political choice. This choice speaks Trial opportunities for 8pm even if it does not formally sit and be more effective in the an historic accommodation to MPs’ to the core of The Good Parliament. remote voting by MPs physically beyond 7.30pm.248 Late nights are professional lives outside Parliament Business hours have the potential present on the Parliamentary Estate constituency.” explicitly scheduled on Monday in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Some to improve the quality of debate, “As a ‘role model’ institution evenings to permit MPs to travel to MPs may prefer the current hours – deliberation and decisions. Might this Many, if not most, MPs are adamant Parliament shouldn’t feel it has the House on a Monday morning that is their prerogative – but these (representation, effectiveness and that the division lobby is the critical rather than on a Sunday evening.249 hours are not required.252 accountability) be improved when not site for the individual and collective to match shift work/late nights of undertaken by exhausted MPs?255 lobbying of ministers – a key means other parts of the population...it of influencing and holding the That is, MPs tired both when they should be setting an example.” Chart 2: Average Time of the Rise of the House by Weekday listen to the debates that are to inform Government to account. It is where their vote late at night, and tired the MPs gather as equals; a place “Evening work then becomes Average time of the rise of the house by weekdays from which ministers cannot hide. 2014/15 and (up to weekend 12/02/16) 2015/16 sessions next day when they will likely be your choice, and you might use Those that are critical of the current participating in a select committee your evenings to sleep, so you 24:00 evidence sessions, in public bill arrangements contend in contrast that 2014/15 voting either at: (i) voting stations in a work better at the weekend.” 22:48 committees scrutinising legislation, 2015/16 debating in Westminster Hall, or few locations across the Parliamentary ‘SNP MPs look to Scottish 21:36 Estate; or (ii) from anywhere on the meeting constituents and other visitors. Parliament and ask, why are 20:24 Parliamentary Estate, would negate the Westminster Hours as they Secondly, by making some aspects the need for the provision of division 19:12 260 256 of MPs’ parliamentary work more lobbies, maximise MPs’ time, and are?” 18:00 predictable, business hours will would not, in respect of the first case, 16:48 facilitate MPs’ non-Chamber undermine the interaction between parliamentary activities, not least MPs and ministers so valued by MPs, 15:36 ‘The division Bell rings...the MPs interactions with constituents, though they may save less time. Some 14:24 civil society and lobby groups MPs suggest that in other parliaments, rush out...we’ll be back soon 13:12 (representation, transparency and those with MPs voting at their desks they cry...everyone sits around or in the Chamber, Members are still 12:00 accountability). Thirdly, business waiting...this may happen more able to lobby ministers. And the way Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday hours might have the advantage of than once over the event as MPs garnering greater media coverage, that MPs dash to and from votes might Source: House of Commons sessional returns diary dash to and from PCH.’259 most obviously via the early evening leave less time for lobbying than other 261 news programmes. Fourthly, business MPs wish to suggest. hours should aid ‘work/life balance’

34 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 35 271 Against a backdrop of yet another or avoided. The previous Clerk of New R&R Body281 The decant experiments outlined apparent parliamentary stand-off, the the House has admitted that when above should moreover inform ‘Even when there is room between two Members, a veteran considerable conjecture advanced the volume prevented questions R&R Body consideration of return. Extant debates by both sides could be tested during and answers being heard, then the over alternative configurations of will insist on occupying the usual 272 Recommendation 36 R&R decant: MPs could experience House and the country are losers. seating are frequently based on place. The technique is to aim the reality of ‘on Estate voting’ before The PM’s questioning before the Trial new layouts in any subjective observation. ‘Have you the bottom at the non-existent their return to the Palace.262 If MPs Liaison Committee is depicted as decant Chamber, and review watched how dull and sterile or staged were to find themselves unable to, or an ‘antidote’ to PMQs.273 And then provision of a new Chamber for the is?’ some space between two Members less effective at, lobbying Ministers, there are accounts of MPs – male return to the Palace MPs ask. Decant provides for current bear down heavily while wiggling or if electronic voting negatively and female – opting out of the MPs to experience first-hand how a the posterior vigorously from 274 impacted relationships within the Chamber. Any debating Chamber should, at the variety of seating layouts are mediated side to side. By a phenomenon House (effectively emptying it out very minimum, provide seating for all by party-political and institutional that puzzles physicists a space and reducing Member interaction, as So what might be done? At present it its members. To do otherwise is to culture and norms. These experiences critics suggest), a strong case for the is for the Speaker to police aberrant deny MPs the ability to participate should formally feed into discussions appears where there was none retention of division lobbies would have behaviour: ‘offensive behaviour, comfortably, and arguably, effectively in for return. before. The bottom of the MP been made. abuse and heckling should be the Chamber. The UK Parliament has with ancient rights hits the green addressed, as having to shout in never had a permanent home in the The necessity of accommodating leather.’ Procedure Committee order to be heard above the noise modern era that could accommodate Members’ needs as well as adopting Paul Flynn MP282 Recommendation 35 did not appear to be in keeping with all its members, a senior clerk a more flexible seating system might a modern democracy’.275 Amending admitted: presently the number of well mean that the current Chamber Trial new formats for Prime the current practice, backbenchers spaces is said to be 427, over 200 is simply too small.289 This could be Minister’s Questions (PMQs) could be heard in silence when spaces short of the 650 MPs elected addressed by expanding the current ‘Bobbing up and down on the asking their question. There is some to the House,284 although the size Chamber into the division lobbies.290 Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) is precedent in that Maiden Speeches of the House is to be reduced to Consideration should also be given to benches; it is sexual harassment. ‘Misbehaviour is now furtively frequently regarded as the epitome are heard ‘courteously’, and personal 600.285 As a minimal improvement the building of a new Chamber on the You find yourself sitting on a of the masculinised style of the out of the sight of the camera statements are heard in ‘(near) the means to distinguish ‘seats’ could Palace estate, most likely the building male MP’s knee.’283 House of Commons – ‘willy-jousting’ silence’.276 Any MP not respecting be established by re-upholstering the of a glass extension or glassing over an or communal, where numbers par excellence: feisty’, ‘raucous’, this could be asked to apologise, benches.286 Chamber furniture should existing courtyard.291 This might have 263 266 obscure identity.’ ‘gladiatorial’ and ‘rowdy. Favourably and if the behaviour is repeated by also be sufficiently flexible to provide the additional benefit of suggesting disposed MPs will tell you that the that MP or another of the same party, for all members. Members using to the public a commitment to the ‘theatre’ that is PMQs is integral to the MP could be asked to leave the wheelchairs – and one should presume principles of a more transparent and British parliamentary politics. ‘It would Chamber for the duration of PMQs more than one or two – should be able accessible Parliament. The existing ‘The TV coverage fails to pick be unrealistic to expect that, having or put in a ‘sin bin’, as the Hansard to sit with their party colleagues on the Chamber could be retained for use on up on the ‘one-line interjections corralled 500 people of deeply held Society has suggested.277 Questions back and front benches.287 And there ceremonial occasions, and, or opened that spice proceedings’; ...if the and opposing views in a small room, to the PM from the Leader of the should be better audio provision to for more extensive public visits.292 minister keeps going, talking contentious assertions will be heard in Opposition might also be further aide participation.288 reverent silence; they won’t’.267 MPs directly at the microphone, it separated from backbenchers’ R&R Body will tell you that each party wills – and questions to the PM. The advantages of a flexible system sounds as though the ride is 268 Recommendation 37 requires – their leader to perform. of seating, over and above reasons of 264 fairly smooth.’ That the public ‘love’ the spectacle. Then there are alternative or diversity and equality of participation Provide for flexible committee The media’s interest represents – if additional formats which could by individual Members just stated, rooms and other parliamentary not constitutes – PMQs as the most challenge the pattern of ‘scrutiny include: (i) the provision or removal meeting rooms important political moment of the 278 ‘Whips encourage MPs to shout by screech’: backbenchers – of additional seating as and when week at Westminster. Viewing figures drawn by lot – could hold a more wanted; and (ii) variation in the layout The principle of flexibility is a very good ‘weak, weak, weak’ at an MP... 269 would concur. Foreign politicians deliberative Committee session of the seating specific to the needs one; to maximise efficiency in limited whips give bottles of champagne and ministers are said to lament an with the PM;279 more radically still, of particular Chamber activities and space, non-fixed furniture ensures if an MP ‘scores’, gets called equivalent in their legislatures: did public questions could be gathered events. For example, where the that the same space can be used Scotland not introduce First Minister’s for different purposes. Consideration to account for poor behaviour... via YouTube, or the PM might be Chamber is likely to be attended by Questions to fill the PMQ sized-hole in should also be given to the layout, abuse is unacceptable, not about questioned by the public on internet few Members, it would be possible to its procedures? , in admitting TV.280 The substantive point being rearrange the seating so that Members furniture and furnishings. At present words per se, it is the intention his fear ahead of PMQs revealed its made here is that different ways of could sit in a physically closer committee rooms in the Palace are you are trying to achieve; that’s force in holding Prime Ministers to holding the Prime Minister to account . This might enhance imposing, often with very formal 270 not difficult to judge: if it was account. And advocates of PMQs can – and should – be tried during debate and provide for better TV and fixed layouts, and dark wood will keenly name women MPs who panelling, wallpaper and oil paintings. children in the playground decant. The new R&R body might coverage, and might counter the public flourish in its atmosphere. On the other This contrasts greatly with the more doing it [it] would be classed as invite the Procedure Committee to perception of an ‘empty’ Chamber. side of the argument, studies point undertake an inquiry into possible Alternatively, if a more consensual style contemporary business-like decor and abusive and bullying.’265 293 out that little of substance is gained reforms. is preferred, seating might reflect a less feel of Portcullis House. Different from the questions asked, answered, adversarial layout. meeting purposes may very well further

36 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 37 benefit from the flexibility to rearrange Additional space in the restored Palace Works of Art Committee The Speaker can waive the rule; furniture so as to make a space more might be provided for by glazing over instead, it should be permanently intimate and less intimidating to those courtyard(s). Again these could be Works of Art Committee removed and new artwork should be not used to attending and speaking designed to be less foreboding. They commissioned to continue to show the Recommendation 40 in the House.294 In short, rooms used should be flexible spaces too; able to diverse membership and activities of for meetings with the public should be be used in different ways at different Abolition of the ‘10 year dead’ rule the Commons. made welcoming from the viewpoint of times, e.g. reception areas or private the public. In addition, consideration meeting spaces. There should also be Works of Art Committee The following is recommended: should be given to access: many a review of establishing a ‘cafe-like’ Recommendation 41 • By abolishing the ‘10 year dead doors in Parliament are very heavy to space in the Palace that provides a rule’ portraits of women former MPs open, and are difficult to negotiate. more relaxed environment, as in the Commit to diverse artwork in a currently hanging in Portcullis House Signage is often poor too, directing Portcullis House atrium. The atrium is restored Palace of Westminster should be considered for re-hanging the public to Central Lobby and the extensively used by MPs, especially in the Palace. This might include Committee floors, for example. The for meeting visitors to Parliament. For What makes one person feel part portraits of Shirley Williams and Mo question of technology must also the latter it is a more informal, relaxed, of, and welcome in, a particular Mowlam be addressed during decant: virtual and hence welcoming space than the institution, and yet another feel less conferencing is a widespread practice Palace which, whilst awe inspiring, can welcome? Identifying or having • Artwork currently displayed in the an affinity with an institution is a House of Commons should be beyond Parliament. Trials could be also be experienced as intimidating. 303 304 Baroness Dawn Primarolo undertaken to explore greater remote Some Members would also welcome subjective, emotional state. In an era routinely audited to ensure diverse participation in committees by MPs the provision of less formal and more of apparent antipathy towards party representations309 and witnesses.295 Accordingly, the cafe-like dining provision; those and parliamentary politics, creating • Portraits of parliamentary ‘firsts’ restored Palace should ensure that the currently available in Portcullis House a sense of belonging to, and being might be commissioned,310 e.g. committee rooms and meeting rooms close earlier than the House currently part of, or having a relationship with, Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary; Ann ‘That no portrait bust or other are technologically ‘fit for purpose’. sits. 299 a parliament is something that the Taylor, Chief Whip House of Commons should be very representations of living persons 311 R&R Body R&R Body much concerned with. One part of this • New artwork commissioned, or of any person deceased is how the institution presents itself including, but not limited to, Recommendation 38 Recommendation 39 less than ten years shall be to the public and to those who work photographs of women MPs at accepted’; ‘except in accordance Provide for inclusionary Provide sufficient toilet capacity in the House when they are present each election until parity is reached; with a resolution of both Houses parliamentary spaces for MPs in Parliament, and for the public commission artwork for other Provision should be planned for a when they access the House via the currently under-represented groups, of Parliament.’ The provision of ‘Lady’ Members future sex/gender parity and diverse parliamentary website. if Members so wish rooms should be maintained in decant Parliament (MPs, staff and visitors).300 • Maximise the use of technology and in a restored Parliament; ditto Failure to do so will limit who can visit, The Parliamentary Art Collection to show contemporary displays ‘The Cabinet agreed that: the the male changing room.296 These participate in the formal activities of, acquires works that document that document the diverse First Commissioner of Works are necessary both because of the and work in Parliament. Baby changing Parliament, its buildings, people, Membership of the House over time hours that Parliament keeps and, facilities should be separate facilities business and ceremonies.305 The should have authority to write in the House’s public spaces (e.g. regarding the former, because of accessible to all parents and carers collection allows audiences to to Lord Astor and state that Westminster Hall, Westminster Hall the disproportionate number of men and there should be easily accessible engage with the work of Parliament Cafe, the Lower and Upper Waiting the Cabinet felt that it was in the House.297 There should be a disabled toilets. Unisex/gender neutral and provokes considered thought on Rooms (the spaces at the top and undesirable as a matter of principle of equal provision in terms toilets should be provided.301 In its role and activities.306 Seeking to bottom of the stairs leading to the principle, that pictures of living of furniture, including baby changing respect of the latter, a US restaurant ensure that the artwork of the House Committee rooms)312 and caring furniture within these has succinctly explained why: ‘for is representative is a principle that has persons should be accepted for rooms.298 Women MPs should be single dads with daughters, single been accepted. This principle – of • Commission greater gift shop wares the Houses of Parliament.’ asked their preference for the name moms with sons, members of the creating a representative relationship celebrating the diversity of MPs Formal document dated 03/12/1924 of the rooms – perhaps these might lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender between the public and Parliament via (e.g. postcards of existing portraits; be named after pioneering women communities, and adults with ageing its artwork – must be kept centre stage coffee table books)313 MPs or women political activists if the parents who may be disabled’.302 during the R&R process. notion of the ‘Lady Member’ is felt to ‘Letter to Speaker from Lord Peel be anachronistic. Given the existing The ‘10 year dead rule’ has been 27/02/1925 ...would be useful to hours and parliamentary calendar, the an important inhibitor of showing quote it when refusing to accept House should also ensure that the artwork of women MPs. This rule hairdressing salon is maintained. In the was introduced precisely to prevent portraits of persons who have no absence of a reform of parliamentary the acceptance of a portrait of Lady real claim to be commemorated hours, the provision of additional Astor: a misogynistic rule from the in the Houses of Parliament.’ facilities on the estate might be also very beginning, as indicated in the [emphasis added]308 considered. exchange of letters (see right).307

38 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 39 The Women in members should be invited to sign a • Publish on the public pages of their public pledge. Party leaders should party website an agreed set of Parliament All Party similarly be invited to sign a statement expectations for candidates setting Parliamentary Group committing not to host ‘all male panels’. out the role, and the reasonable demands which may be made, Women in Parliament All of both prospective parliamentary Party Parliamentary Group Political parties candidates and local party 323 Recommendation 42 associations (Short Term) Political parties are key gatekeepers • Publish a list of party national and to political office. There is a great Campaign for male MPs to sign regional equality champions deal more that the parties could and up to the #nomoreallmalepanels should be doing to ensure that they • Implement Speaker’s Conference first select more diverse candidates All Party Parliamentary Groups are Recommendation 32 ‘All political and secondly ensure equality of informal cross-party groups that, parties should place a ceiling upon participation amongst MPs once they whilst having no official status within the expenses which candidates can are elected to the House of Commons. Parliament, are numerous and can be incur during any single selection This Report does not seek to highly active organisations.314 Made up process’324 reproduce the extensive literature that of women MPs and Peers, the purpose speaks to the totality of these issues of the WIP APPG is ‘to increase the – the 2010 Speaker’s Conference on number of women in Parliament in Parliamentary Representation Report all parties and to encourage women contains a considerable number of to get involved in public life’.315 A very good recommendations. Here the good number of recommendations recommendations are limited to those from its 2014 Report Improving that bolster other recommendations Parliament have fed into this Report. targeted in this Report. The WIP APPG has a critical ongoing role in representing the views of Political Party women Parliamentarians, and in supporting other parliamentary actors Recommendation 43 in addressing the recommendations (Short Term) made to them in this Report. They Engage in various activities to also have the potential to change increase the supply of and demand the culture of the House through for diverse parliamentary candidates campaigning to bring more male Members publicly on board with the • In the absence of the Minister for representation and inclusion agenda. Women and Equalities commencing Section 106 (see above), comply Outside of Parliament there is a with its spirit, as recommended growing international movement by the Speaker’s Conference #nomoreallmalepanels. The aim is (Recommendation 25).320 As part simple: to put an end to all-male of this commitment the parties line ups at seminars, workshops, should also support the request conferences, and on TV panel by the Commons’ Department 316 shows. All male panels do not ‘just for Information Services that MPs happen’; they are statistically biased complete a post-general election 317 and are by definition exclusionary. survey321 The WIP APPG group should ‘sign up to the hashtag’ and seek to end the • Publish, no later than six months practice in Parliament by encouraging after a general election, a target for male MPs to voluntarily refuse to the percentage of the candidate 318 participate in all male panels. This characteristics listed in Section voluntary endeavour has the potential 106 of Equality Act 2010 for the to reap significant symbolic reward: next two general elections, and all it requires is male Members to to set out their ‘action plan’ to ask, ‘who is on a panel?’ If there achieve these.322 Parties might add are no women, one simply declines ‘parenthood’ to the Equality Act the invitation, and makes it clear 2010 list of candidates why they have declined.319 Male

40 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 41 Appendices

Appendix 1: The 2010 Speaker’s Conference From July 2015 to February Appendix 2: of operating? Are men shouldering UK Parliament was kept central. As Research Design and Approach examined under-representation in 2016 Professor Sarah Childs was The Inter-Parliamentary their responsibilities in respect of Melanie Onn MP stated: ‘We should the UK Parliament – women, minority ‘embedded’ full time in the House of gender equality? And finally, is there a have a system that suits as many The Report is generated from a Union (IPU) Gender Sensitive ethnic groups, the disabled, LGBTQ Commons,336 interviewing MPs, male parliamentary plan of action for gender people as possible, and that includes project funded by the Economic and Parliaments Approach and, albeit to a lesser extent, class.332 and female,337 meeting with groups of equality? the staff, who work here as much as Social Research Council (ESRC) Its inquiry focused predominantly on MPs, talking to individual and groups The IPU framework for a Gender the MPs, the men as much as the and the University of Bristol.325 It is the supply and recruitment of MPs. of clerks and officials, observing Sensitive Parliament (GSP) is In this Report the IPU’s third dimension women, and those with family caring underpinned by an extensive body Explicitly taking up the Speaker’s House activities and interactions structured across seven dimensions is not addressed. Assessing the extent responsibilities other than children’.341 of international research that has Conference baton the 2014 WIP APPG in Parliament’s social spaces, and (see Box 5 below), and suggests a to which Parliament mainstreams gender Nothing that would adversely affect analysed the under-representation Report added the issue of Member subjecting a range of parliamentary continuum of gender (in)sensitivity. in policy and legislative terms was felt the administrative and support side of women in politics over more than retention. Whilst it spoke to questions publications to a gendered/diversity The following criteria can be used to to lie beyond the remit of this particular would be advocated; the presence two decades,326 as well as by newer of sex/gender, its recommendations reading. An international conference rate the gender sensitive status of a project. In other words, this Report of representatives from these parts work on political institutions.327 It is were felt to benefit other currently was also held in conjunction with the Parliament: focuses on the ‘inward’ dimension of of the House on the Advisory Board also informed by recent parliamentary under-represented groups. The WIP BGIPU to facilitate ‘lesson learning’ • Infrastructure (amenities); Gender Sensitive Parliaments (Galligan protected against the inadvertent reports on representation, most APPG’s most notable success to from the best practice parliaments of • Rules/practices (standing orders); and Meier EIGE/2014/OPER/13, 13); or unconscious marginalisation or notably, the 2010 Speaker’s date: the establishment of the Women Sweden and Finland.338 A subsequent • Language/discourse in plenary; on the position of women within the downgrading of these concerns. Conference on Parliamentary and Equalities Committee (WEC) in meeting was held with representatives • Language/discourse in informal institution and the working conditions Representation,328 the 2014 Women 2015.333 from leading UK civil society groups. settings; and practices they face. The outward Dimensions 5 and 6 of the IPU in Parliament APPG report Improving • Sitting hours; dimension focuses on work parliament framework emphasise that the Parliament,329 and the 2015 Report Both the APPG’s Improving Parliament The assessment contained in Table 1 • Dress code; produces in steering society and ‘problem’ of a Parliament’s gender presented to the Administration Report334 and the subsequent (the ‘RAG’ Analysis of the Commons) • Maternity and paternity leave; contributing to gender equality more insensitivity is not the responsibility of Committee, based on a survey of internal House of Commons report is based on: counting the diversity • Childcare facilities; broadly. women MPs but of political parties and women Members.330 Sarah Childs for the Administration Committee, of MPs elected to the Commons in • Induction training; of male parliamentarians. This shared was the gender Special Adviser to the documented women MPs views 2015; assessing MPs participation • Parliamentary culture; Critically, the IPU definition calls responsibility goes further: it is a Speaker’s Conference and advised on, and experiences of the House, in domestic and departmental select and access to resources. attention to the necessity of conceiving collective, institutional responsibility: in the WIP APPG on their 2014 Report. and involved gathering new data via committees and in leadership positions of Parliaments as an organism. In the UK case, the House of Commons The Good Parliament Report is also surveys and interviews with women in the House; documenting equality Measurements include: the numbers particular, Dimension 7 holds that as a body should act to eliminate informed by the 2015 Report of the MPs, past and present.335 Some and diversity provisions in the rules of women present; analysis of the gender sensitivity is not just about MPs gender insensitivities – it must take Speaker’s Commission on Digital women MPs speak privately on this of the House, and noting explicit positions women and men hold within but about issues of gender insensitivity ownership of The Good Parliament. Democracy. The 2015 BBC TV agenda whilst others are happy to institutional commitments to diversity a parliament; and the extent to which affecting parliamentary staff. Whilst the This is implied in the IPU’s statement series Inside the Commons provided speak publicly about their experiences. and inclusion; as well as examining gender considerations are integral to specific concerns of the administrative that GSP status can be ‘irrespective additional illustrative and contextual 340 Academics have also been gathering how the House ‘feels’ for Members the work of a parliament. Further side of the House are not directly of the number of women members’ in material.331 qualitative and quantitative data for from different backgrounds. questions include: are facilities suited addressed in this Report, the necessity a parliament; it is not the concern of more than two decades. Women MPs to men and women? Is the culture of acknowledging the interconnections women MPs but of the institution who views of the House are, then, well In all these activities, and in the drafting of a parliament non-sexist, or does it and inter-dependencies between the can and should act. known. of the recommendations and this privilege traditional masculine ways political and administrative side of the Report, the author benefited from the formal advice of a small group of Box 5: The Inter Parliamentary Union’s Seven Dimensions of Gender Sensitive Parliaments MPs, male and female from across the House, and an Advisory Board made IPU Gender Sensitive Parliament: Dimensions up of officials and clerks and chaired 1. Promotes and achieves equality in numbers of women and men across all its bodies and internal structures by Mr Speaker.339 2. Develops a gender equality policy framework suited to its own national parliamentary context

3. Mainstreams gender equality throughout all its work (via gender mainstreaming and or via a women’s caucus or gender equality committee, to ensure that parliamentary outputs analyzed from gender perspective)

4. Fosters an internal culture that respects women’s rights, promotes gender equality and responds to the needs and realities of MPs – men and women – to balance work and family responsibilities

5. Acknowledges and builds on the contributions made by its men members who pursue and advocate for gender equality

6. Encourages political parties to take a proactive role in the promotion and achievements of gender equality

7. Equips its parliamentary staff with the capacity and resources to promote gender equality, actively encourages the recruitment and retention of women to senior positions, and ensures that gender equality is mainstreamed throughout the work of the parliamentary administration

42 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 43 Appendix 3: Box 7: Swedish Speaker’s Working Group for Gender Equality Issues, Box 8: The National Assembly for Wales’ Women in Democracy Caucus Parliamentary a History The National Assembly for Wales, under the Presiding Officer, Gender/Equalities bodies Promoting Gender Equality in the (undated) Dame Rosemary Butler, established a caucus in 2013 Action programme for the electoral period 2014–2018 Box 6: The Swedish Speaker’s It is made up of one representative from each of the Assembly’s four political parties Reference Group on Gender Equality The purpose of the current action programme for gender equality, for 2014–2018, is Objectives: to highlight differences in the preconditions for male and female MPs to perform their 1. Learn about measures parliaments and parties have put in place to encourage/ History and composition duties, and to carry out initiatives to even out existing differences. ensure female representation at varying political levels Established in 1995. The Speaker, Another purpose is to increase knowledge and awareness of the significance Brigitta Dahl invited seven women 2. Seek to identify whether parliaments with strong female representation create of gender when it comes to power and influence. By continuously focusing on MPs, from each of the parties in distinct policies and legislation as a result of this positive representation Parliament questions of gender equality, the action programme is helping to reach the goal of a gender-equal Riksdag. 3. Identify the pastoral needs of women politicians and what the Assembly Aims Commission can learn from this and benchmark accordingly. To shed light on the conditions and Meeting the challenges of daily life also depends on working environment and assumptions governing parliamentary working conditions. How Riksdag work is organised as regards voting times, how The Caucus would also present the opportunity for the representatives from and political work in a broad meetings are scheduled and how services concerning child-minding, etc. are the Assembly’s four political parties to advise of any measures and action their perspective, and the possibilities of organised are therefore of interest. respective parties had undertaken. development for individual members Social media are a significant part of the life of MPs today and this action Recommendations pertaining to Parliament included: and for parliament as a whole programme should therefore pay particular attention to how this affects the • Seek a progress update from Assembly Party Leaders on the steps that they have taken to ensure an increased representation of women Members for the Organisation preconditions for female and male MPs to perform their duties. Fifth Assembly; There are no formal rules or The action programme for 2014–2018 has begun with a mapping of gender equality procedures regulating the Reference in the Riksdag. This will also be used as a benchmark measurement in the follow-up • Invite the Remuneration Board to look at the specific pastoral requirements Group and its activities. Normally it of the action programme at the end of the electoral period. of Assembly Members, particularly those with caring responsibilities; meets once or twice a semester in the Speaker’s office Statistics • Encourage their party groups to adopt a more skill-based approach founded As background material for future work, existing structures will be highlighted with on the general principles of fair recruitment in order to encourage a wider range Activities the help of gender-divided statistics, for example analysis of the duration of speaking of women to put themselves forward for elections; Internal studies on gender equality in times, the gender composition of presiding members of committees, and how the • Urge the Assembly to consider gender specific support and one to one coaching the Swedish Parliament Riksdag is represented in various contexts. for new and returning female members in the Fifth Assembly. Publication of proposals for a gender Studies Source: Women in Public Life, Assembly Women in Democracy Report, 2015 equality Parliament Breakfast Studies are to be carried out into which policy areas women and men tend to talk meetings on gender equality topics about in Riksdag debates and gender differences in the way of expressing oneself (www.assembly.wales/en/newhome/pages/newsitem.aspx?itemid=1417) Relations with FEMM Committee in are to be examined by means of a psycholinguistic analysis of Riksdag debates. Appendix 4: European Parliament Survey The focus of the action programme is on qualitative aspects of gender equality in Media Passes the Riksdag. These may concern terms of address, conduct and treatment, not Table 6: Media Passes by Type and Sex only between colleagues but also in contacts with voters and the media. The way in which the political leadership is affected by gender should also be highlighted. Pass Type Male Female Total No. % Female In cooperation with researchers in Political Science, a survey has been sent out to Cat 28Escort status all active MPs in the Riksdag. The purpose of the survey is to obtain more in-depth (general access + reporters premises) 8 5 13 38 knowledge of how the MPs experience different aspects of Riksdag work and whether there are differences between men and women in this respect. Besides Cat 28A (gen + reporters premises, containing background questions on age and gender, etc., the survey is to be gallery and Lobby) 178 55 233 24 divided into four different sub-areas: Cat 28B (gen+ reporters premises • Expectations and demands regarding politicians and gallery) 53 33 86 38 • How is Riksdag work organised? • The working climate Cat 26C (gen+ reporters premises • Networks and contacts and sound box) 15 16 31 52

Courses and seminars Cat 28D Foreign Press (gen+ The action programme should also encompass educational initiatives and activities reporters premises & lobby) 5 1 6 17 to increase MPs’ knowledge of the significance of gender for power and influence. Cat 28E (gen+ reporters premises) 35 11 46 24 It should include seminars, for example, on gender aspects and the use of social media. Source: UK Parliament Pass Office

Reference group of researchers In order to develop proposals for concrete measures which can be included in the action plan, a group of researchers from various disciplines relating to the project will be linked to the project. These will include researchers in both political science and behavioural science.

44 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 45 Appendix 5: This change was passed without Appendix 6: Table 7: Maternity and Paternity Leave Arrangements Sex Quota for Deputy Speakers debate in the House. Maternity and Paternity Leave www.publications.parliament.uk/ Country Maternity Leave 5 E (iii) ‘at least one man and at least There is no global parliamentary pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/ 1. A motion to grant leave of absence does not require notice, states the cause and period of leave, and has one woman shall be elected across database listing the provisions cm100304/debtext/100304-0011. priority over all other business. A Member who has been granted leave of absence by the House is excused the four posts of Speaker and Deputy parliaments make for the mother or htm#10030456000003 (col 1100). from the Service of the House or any Committee Speakers ...The constraints will be father Member of Parliament. As part 2. Canada No formal process of either maternity or paternity leave applied at the count, so there is The history and background is in of this project a short questionnaire no obligation on Members to vote the First Report of the Procedure which included a generic question 3. Denmark An MP (male and female) may request up to 12 months paid leave (pregnancy, childbirth, adoption). Formally it is up to whole Parliament to grant leave – it is put on the agenda for plenary sitting; in practice it for candidates from both sides Committee 2009-10. about maternity/paternity provision 342 is always granted. An MP writes to the Speaker via the Legal Services office. of the House, or for both a man www.publications.parliament. was gathered from ten parliaments. and a woman. The ballot paper uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/ These included two sub-national UK 4. Finland According to section 48 of the Parliament’s rules of Procedure a record of absence form a plenary session (illness, maternity, paternity or parental leave) shall be entered into the minutes of the indicates which side of the House cmproced/341/34102.htm Parliaments (Scotland and Wales), the candidates come from, and their three Westminster-style parliaments plenary session. MPs receive full remuneration during maternal or paternal leave. gender.’ Gender Weighting (Australia, Canada, and ); 5. Members who are unable to be present on days when the is sitting, or to attend recorded votes, 44. One of the conventions observed and two Western and three Northern notify the President of the Bundestag in writing. The reasons are not examined. … While the law provides for deductions to be made from Members’ monthly expense allowance in the event of their absence… ‘Standing Order No. 2A also provides in nominating Deputy Speakers in the European parliaments (Germany and no deductions are made if the absence is due to pregnancy, if it falls during the period of maternity that constraints shall be applied to past has been that the team should Spain, and Denmark, Finland and protection, or if it is for the purpose of caring for an ill child under the age of 14. the count so that of those elected: represent both genders. We believe Sweden respectively). The data (see (i) two candidates shall come from that this convention is a valuable one Table 7) finds that most of the surveyed 6. New Zealand There is a provision for members to apply to the Speaker for extended periods of leave, and this can be used for what would effectively be maternity or paternity leave. Members would receive their full salary the opposite side of the House to and we have considered how it might parliaments – six – have formal House while on this leave. In New Zealand MPs are not employees, and are therefore not subject to the provisions that from which the Speaker was be translated into an electoral system leave arrangements, either general of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Act 1987. drawn, so the first candidate from based primarily on party balance. We leave provisions or more specific the present Opposition side will be have identified two possibilities: first, maternity, paternity and parental leave 7. Scotland There is no access to maternity or paternity leave for members; policies will be set by the individual parties Chairman of Ways and Means and the provisions (Australia; Denmark; Finland; that Members voting in the Deputy 8. Spain According with the Standing Orders of the Congress of Deputies. Section 82 (modified by the Plenary second, Second Deputy Chairman of Speaker elections could be required Germany; New Zealand; and Spain); Sitting on July 21th, 2011) Voting may be: Ways and Means; (ii) one candidate to include at least one man and at three Parliaments have no formal i) By assent to the Speaker’s proposal. shall come from the same side of least one woman in their choices, and provisions and rely on informal party ii) Ordinary. iii) Public, by roll call. the House as that from which the second that the rules could stipulate arrangements (Canada, Scotland, iv) Secret Speaker was drawn and shall be instead that the winning candidates Wales); and a single Parliament – First Deputy Chairman of Ways and include at least one man and at least Sweden – matches their country level 2. In the event of pregnancy, maternity, paternity or serious sickness preventing a Member of Parliament from carrying out his or her functions and considered sufficiently justified taking into account the special Means; and (iii) at least one man and one woman. The former approach is provision. The UK Parliament’s reliance circumstances, the Bureau may authorise in a motivated document the Member to cast his or her vote at least one woman shall be elected likely to lead to a higher percentage on informal party arrangements sees across the four posts of Speaker and them in the same group as Canada, through the telematics procedure with identity verification, in plenary sessions, in a voting, that cannot of spoilt ballot papers and would not be subject to fragmentation or modification, and which will be foreseeable in respect to the manner and Deputy Speakers. If neither of the Scotland and Wales. guarantee the desired result. The latter moment when it will take place. For such purpose, the Member will issue the due application by means of a Opposition side candidates reaches approach would have the advantage document addressed to the Bureau, which will inform him or her of its decision, specifying, if necessary, the the quota in the first round of voting, of ensuring that the team could not voting and time period he or she will be allowed to cast the vote through this procedure. The vote casted the votes cast for the Government side fail to represent both sexes but it has through this procedure will have to be personally verified by means of a system established to this end by candidate will be transferred to their the disadvantage that it could mean a the Bureau and held by the Presidency of the Chamber prior to the beginning of the voting. next preference to determine which popular candidate of the “wrong” sex 9. Sweden The same rules for parental leave are applicable to MPs as for the general public. The MP applies for Opposition side candidate becomes – or several such candidates – being parental leave also from Parliament; the application has to be approved by the Speaker. Chairman of Ways and Means. The passed over in favour of a candidate (Parental allowance of 480 days, of 390 compensated at 80 percent wageg, and 90 days with minimum constraints will be applied at the who polled far fewer votes. On the wage. 60 of the 390 are the ‘daddy quota’. Father is entitled to parental allowance of 10 days in connection count, so there is no obligation on whole, we believe that this is a price of the birth at 90 percent of wage. Temporal parental allowance for care of sick children is 120 days per Members to vote for candidates from worth paying and one which could child and year (Freidenvall undated, 33)). both sides of the House, or for both a be addressed through the judicious 10. Wales There is no formal process; arrangements are made between the individual member and their parties. man and a woman. The ballot paper choice of an electoral system. We Some members have used ‘pairing’ arrangements via the party whips for one-off appointments. indicates which side of the House recommend that the rules for the the candidates come from, and their election of the Deputy Speakers gender.’ stipulate that at least one man and at least one woman be elected to the team formed by the Speaker and Deputy Speakers.

46 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 47 The use of substitutes is a feature Box 10: Proxy Voting in the party consisting of up to five members, Appendix 7: (SN01156, 6). With 191 women MPs of two parliaments (Denmark and New Zealand Parliament: or an Independent member, only if at Descriptive Representation – 29 percent of all MPs – the House Sweden), although there is some Standing Order 154 least one of the members of that party of Commons has its highest ever Precise figures for Member diversity limited substitution also in Finland. In or that Independent member is— (a) number and percentage of women. are not available. This is because Denmark and Sweden the substitute 154 Proxy voting (1) A member may present within the parliamentary It is just under 30 percent female. To data is not systematically collected, would be the next person on the give authority for a proxy vote to be precincts at the time, or (b) absent reach one third would require another cast in the member’s name or for an and because identities are sometimes party list in the same constituency from the House with the permission of 26 women MPs. At 459, the current abstention to be recorded. (2) A proxy contested (class), and are not always as the Member on leave. Finland, the Speaker granted under Standing number of men sitting in the House must state the name of the member apparent, or declared (disability and whilst considering the rights of MPs Order 38(1). (5) Despite paragraph (2), is nine more than the total numbers who is giving the authority, the date it sexuality). With such caveats noted,344 to be personal and not temporarily is given, and the period or business there is no limit on the number of proxy of women MPs ever elected to the only one percent of Conservative replaceable, permits alternate for which the authority is valid. It must votes that may be exercised in the UK House of Commons, 450. As MPs (3) and seven percent of members for Committees. Both New be signed by the member giving it period from the declaration of a state women constitute more than half the Labour MPs (16) elected at the 2015 Zealand and Australia make use of and indicate the member who is given of national emergency until that state UK population, there are some 130 general election came from manual proxy voting (see Boxes 9 and 10). authority to exercise it. (3) A member of national emergency is terminated or women MPs ‘missing’ from the House. who has given a proxy may revoke or occupations.345 This is despite manual expires. Twenty of the BME MPs are women: amend that proxy at any time before workers making up respectively 12 Box 9: Australia Nursing 3 percent. This is double the number its exercise. and 25 percent of the total, and the Mothers and Proxy Votes343 38 Permission to be absent from the in the 2010 parliament. Sixty percent working, population. It is frequently House (1) The Speaker may grant a (14 of 23) of non-white Labour MPs cited that only a ‘handful’ of MPs Members nursing an infant are able General Procedures 51 member of a party consisting of one are women compared to 29 percent (5 identify as having a disability, when to give their vote by proxy for any (4) The leader or senior whip of each member, an Independent member, out of 17 Conservative MPs (SN01156, division except that on the third there are over 10 million disabled party, or a member acting as the or any other member (following a 7)). Thirty-two LGBTQ MPs – 5 percent reading of a bill which proposes an people in the UK.346 leader or senior whip of the party in the request from a member’s party leader The number of of all MPs – were elected in 2015, alteration of the Constitution. (This House for the time being, may exercise BME MPs would need to more than exemption is in recognition of the fact or whip) permission to be absent from an increase of 6 from the previous a proxy vote for any member of the double, from 41 to 83, to reflect their that bills proposing an alteration to the House— (a) on account of illness Parliament. Given that estimated percentage in the UK population. the Constitution must be passed with party, subject to any express direction or other family cause of a personal LGBTQ populations vary between an absolute majority in both Houses) from a member to the contrary. 155 nature: (b) to enable the member to Thirteen percent of UK resident 1.5 and 10 percent, the Commons (Constitution, s128) Government Casting of proxy vote (1) A proxy vote attend to public business (whether population is non-white. (SN01156, 4); may be under-represented by LGBTQ Members give their vote to the may be cast or an abstention recorded in New Zealand or overseas). (2) A 56 percent of all BME MPs are Labour Members.347 Chief Government Whip and non- on a party or personal vote only by leader or whip of a party consisting of Members and 41 percent Conservative government Members to the Chief the person who has authority to more than one member may grant any Opposition Whip. (Resolution of the exercise it. In the case of any dispute, House, Votes and Proceedings No. 1, member of that party permission to be Table 8: Women MPs Elected to the House of Commons, 1983-2015, by Party 12-13 February 2008, pp. 27-8) the member exercising a proxy must absent from the House. produce the authority to the Speaker. Labour Conservative Liberal Other Total The provisions for proxy voting are (2) In the case of a party vote, proxies Democrat provided for by a resolution of the In 2013, the New Zealand Parliament may be exercised for a number equal House agreed on 13 February 2008, adopted a sessional order to 1983 10 (5%) 13 (3 %) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 23 (4%) the terms of which are appended to no more than 25 percent of a party’s allow an MP to be absence from 1987 21 (9 %) 17 (5%) 1 (5%) 2 (9%) 41 (6%) to the standing orders titled Special membership in the House, rounded the Parliamentary precincts on provisions for nursing mothers. upwards where applicable. (3) A proxy compassionate grounds, but to be 1992 37 (14%) 20 (6%) 2 (10%) 3 (13%) 60 (9%) may be exercised for a member, in regarded as present for the purposes 1997 101 (24%) 13 (8%) 3 (7%) 3 (10%) 120 (18%) addition to the number of proxies that of casting party votes. The Standing 2001 95 (23%) 14 (8%) 6 (11%) 4 (13%) 118 (18%) may be exercised under paragraph Orders Committee subsequently (2), while that member is absent from recommended to the House this be 2005 98 (28%) 17 (9%) 10 (16%) 3 (10%) 128 (20%) the House with the permission of the incorporated the rules and procedures 2010 81 (32%) 49 (16%) 7 (12 %) 7 (22%) 143 (22%) Speaker granted under Standing Order for members’ attendance in the 2015 99 (43%) 68 (21%) 0 (0%) 24 (30%) 191 (29%) 38(1). (4) In the case of a party vote, Standing Orders (ANZACATT20167A). proxy votes may be exercised for a Table 9: BME MPs elected to the House of Commons 1987-2015, by Party

Labour Conservative Liberal Other Total Democrat

1987 4 (1.7%) 0 0 0 4 (6.2%)

1992 5 (1.8%) 1 (0.3%) 0 0 6 (5.5%)

1997 9 (2.2%) 0 0 0 9 (1.4%)

2001 12 (2.9%) 0 0 0 12 (5.6%)

2005 13 (3.6%) 2 (1%) 0 0 15 (2.3%)

2010 16 (6.2%) 11 (3.4) 0 0 27 (4.2%)

2015 23 (10%) 17(5%) 0 1 (2%) 41 (6.3%)

Source: House of Commons, SN001156

48 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 49 Appendix 8: Appendix 9: Rule 11.2 Decision Time Report of the Consultative Steering Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010 Division Time Group on the Scottish Parliament 1. Except as provided in Rule 11.3, the ‘Shaping Scotland’s Parliament’ www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/106/prospective Table 10: Average Number Presiding Officer shall put any question www.scottish.parliament.uk/ of Divisions per Day in relation to a motion or amendment PublicInformationdocuments/ Information about diversity in range of candidates, etc. June 2015-January 13 2016 during Decision Time on the day on Report_of_the_Consultative_ which the motion or amendment is Steering_Group.pdf Days Number of Divisions (1) This section applies to an association which is a registered political party. moved. Monday 51 18. We recommend that where (2) If the party had candidates at a relevant election, the party must, in accordance with regulations, publish information Tuesday 63 2. Decision Time is the period which possible voting in the Parliament relating to protected characteristics of persons who come within a description prescribed in the regulations in accordance normally begins at 17:00 where a should take place at a regular Wednesday 31 with subsection (3). [emphasis added] meeting of the Parliament is held appointed time, for example towards Thursday 12 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday the end of the day on the day’s (3) One or more of the following descriptions may be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (2)— Friday 7 or Thursday and at 12:00 where a business, say from 5pm onwards for (a) successful applicants for nomination as a candidate at the relevant election; meeting of the Parliament is held on Plenary sessions or at the end of a Grand Total 164 (b) unsuccessful applicants for nomination as a candidate at that election; Friday and which ends when every Committee session. (c) candidates elected at that election; Source: DIS decision which is to be taken during (d) candidates who are not elected at that election. Decision Time has been taken. 19. It is important to schedule votes Table 11: Average Time of Divisions for the same day as the associated (4) The duty imposed by subsection (2) applies only in so far as it is possible to publish information in a manner that ensures June 2015-January 13 2016 3. Normally, Decision Time shall end discussion to ensure that debates that no person to whom the information relates can be identified from that information. not later than 30 minutes after it begins are fresh in Members’ minds. The Days Average Time of Division but, in accordance with Rule 2.2.6(a), it scheduling of votes at a set time each (5)The following elections are relevant elections— Monday 08:30 pm may continue in order to complete any day, as proposed above, would ensure (a) Parliamentary Elections; voting which is not adjourned to a later the most effective use of Parliamentary Tuesday 05:46 pm (b) elections to the European Parliament; meeting under paragraph 5. and MSPs’ time. Such an arrangement (c) elections to the Scottish Parliament; Wednesday 06:04 pm would also allow Parliamentary and (d) elections to the National Assembly for Wales. Thursday 04:27 pm 4. The Parliament may, on a motion of Members’ staff to plan other business the Parliamentary Bureau, decide that around this time. Friday 11:24 am (6) This section does not apply to the following protected characteristics— Decision Time on a particular day or (a) marriage and civil partnership; Source: DIS days shall begin at a time other than (b) pregnancy and maternity. that mentioned in paragraph 2. The Scottish Decision Time (7) The regulations may provide that the information to be published— www.scottish.parliament.uk/ Rule 11.3 Decisions at times (a) must (subject to subsection (6)) relate to all protected characteristics or only to such as are prescribed; parliamentarybusiness/26509.aspx other than Decision Time (b) must include a statement, in respect of each protected characteristic to which the information relates, of the proportion that the number of persons who provided the information to the party bears to the number of persons who were asked to Voting takes place at Decision Time 2. If an amendment to a Bill is provide it. which is normally at 5pm. In practice, moved, the Presiding Officer shall this means that the vote is not taken put the question on that amendment (8) Regulations under this section may prescribe— [emphasis added] on a motion immediately following immediately after any debate on that (a) descriptions of information; the debate but at Decision Time amendment or, if the amendment has (b) descriptions of political party to which the duty is to apply; on the same day. There are some already been debated, immediately (c) the time at which information is to be published; exceptions to this. For example, after the amendment is moved. (d) the form and manner in which information is to be published; votes on amendments to Bills will be (e) the period for which information is to be published. taken immediately after the debate on 3. Decisions may, at the discretion of the amendments. These exceptions the Presiding Officer, be taken at a (9) Provision by virtue of subsection (8)(b) may, in particular, provide that the duty imposed by subsection (2) does not apply are set out in Rule 11.3. If there is time other than Decision Time or the to a party which had candidates in fewer constituencies in the election concerned than a prescribed number. [emphasis a division then the vote takes place times mentioned in paragraphs 1 and added] electronically and only takes a few 2. Members shall be notified of any minutes. The advantage for Members such time. (10) Regulations under this section— is that they know when they need to (a) may provide that the duty imposed by subsection (2) applies only to such relevant elections as are prescribed; be in the Chamber each day and can (b) may provide that a by-election or other election to fill a vacancy is not to be treated as a relevant election or is to be so plan their diaries accordingly. treated only to a prescribed extent; (c) may amend this section so as to provide for the duty imposed by subsection (2) to apply in the case of additional descriptions of election.

(11) Nothing in this section authorises a political party to require a person to provide information to it.

50 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 51 Appendix 10: Appendix 11: ...The Commission fully The Evolution of sitting hours in the Chamber since 1979348 Digital Democracy Commission endorses the draft political and Constitutional Reform Committee Table 12: The Evolution of sitting hours in the Chamber 1979-1997 This Report overlaps in its foci and Recommendation that ‘the aims in some respects with that of government and the Electoral Sitting hours at the beginning of the 1979 Parliament Experimental introduction of Wednesday morning the 2015 Report of the Speaker’s Commission should examine the sittings (1994-95 Session)349 Commission on Digital Democracy. changes which can be made to Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm The following Recommendations made provide more and better information in the ‘Open Up’ report are accordingly Tuesday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm to voters, and should actively endorsed in this Report: support the work of outside Wednesday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 10.00am – 10.00pm • Increasing public awareness of organisations working to similar Thursday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 11.30am – 7.00pm the role of Parliament and MP, goals (recommendation 25) Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm 9.30am – 2.30pm and increasing public participation • Seize the opportunity that R&R in the work of Parliament. Permanent introduction of Wednesday morning sittings (1995-96 Session)350 work provides to improve facilities (recommendation 1) to assist MPs in their work for Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm • Simplifying and clarifying the public and ensure the fabric Tuesday 2.30pm – 10.00pm parliamentary language, including of Parliament is fit for the future Wednesday 9.30 am – 2.00pm; 2.30pm – 10.00pm procedural terms; developing digital (recommendation 28) tools; clarifying and simplifying Thursday 11.30am – 7.00pm • Pilot an electronic version of the online and printed communications; practice of ‘nodding through’ MPs Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm the wider use of aids for people with who are physically unable to go disabilities. (recommendation 4) through the division lobbies, which Table 13: The Evolution of sitting hours in the Chamber since 1997 • Pilot a new procedure for amending would enable MPs who are unwell, bills so that amendments ca be or have childcare responsibilities, or Sitting hours at the beginning of the 1997 Parliament Thursday sitting experiment 1999-2002351 written, debated and voted in plain a disability, to vote away from the Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm English (recommendation 5) Chamber. (recommendation 30)

Tuesday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm • Engage with specific groups • Erskine May...should be freely Wednesday 9.30 am – 2.00pm; 2.30pm – 10.00pm 9.30am – 2.00pm (until Nov 99); 2.30pm – 10.00pm who are not currently engaged available online by the time in the democratic process the next edition is produced. Thursday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 11.30am – 7.00pm (recommendation 12) (recommendation 32) Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm 9.30am – 2.30pm • The House urgently reviews Experimental sitting hours from 2003-2005352 Proposed permanent arrangements (January 2005) measures to support MPs subject Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm to cyber harassment ...improving cyber-security(recommendation 15) Tuesday 11.30am – 7.00pm* 11.30am – 7.00pm* • Experiment with using digital to Wednesday 11.30am – 7.00pm* 11.30am – 7.00pm* involve people more in committee Thursday 11.30am – 6.00pm 10.30am – 6.00pm work (recommendation 16)

Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm 9.30am – 2.30pm • Experiment with new ways Sitting hours from the beginning of 2005 Parliament353 Sitting hours at the beginning of the 2010 Parliament of enabling the public to put forward questions to Ministers. Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm (recommendation 19) Tuesday 2.30pm – 10.00pm 2.30pm – 10.00pm • ...information on the social Wednesday 11.30am – 7.00pm* 11.30am – 7.00pm* characteristics of candidates and Thursday 10.30am – 6.00pm 10.30am – 6.00pm those elected is currently gathered in an ad hoc manner by different Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm 9.30am – 2.30pm sources. The House of Commons Sitting hours from 15 October 2012354 Library could gather all of this data and produce a regular report Monday 2.30pm – 10.00pm on the background of MPs and Tuesday 11.30am – 7.00pm* Candidates. This would create an Wednesday 11.30am – 7.00pm* officially recognised data source and improve the real-time data available Thursday 9.30am – 5.00pm for anyone to analyse. Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm

* If a Tuesday or Wednesday was the first day of sitting after a recess, Monday hours would apply

52 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 53 Acknowledgements

The MPs Panel intentionally had a membership of male and The Clerk of the House, David Natzler, supported my Others to whom special thanks must go: Kate Emms your The advice proffered was very much in the clerkly tradition: female MPs from across the parties. My thanks go to Tom presence in the Commons throughout, and offered acute reading of House politics and sunny disposition were so very folks would identify a solution even when they themselves Brake MP, Angela Crawley MP, Ben Howlett MP, Caroline insights on drafts of the Report’s recommendations. He welcome; and I always appreciate a woman with a good might not be in favour of that particular, or any other Lucas MP, Fiona Mactaggart MP, Maria Miller MP, Caroline also facilitated a survey of Parliaments in a number of sense of cardigans! Melanie Unwin must be thanked for recommendation I might be, on that day, musing over. Spelman MP, and Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP. Dr Dan Poulter parliamentary and European countries, some of the findings suggesting the painting that adorns the cover of this Report, They saw it as their job to provide the technical support or MP was a later addition. These MPs gave up of their time, to of which are presented in this Report. Always prepared to for helping me understand the ’10 year dead rule’, and for political insight that few who have not inhabited the House attend meetings, comment on draft reforms, and to provide see me, David frequently and rightly pushed me to explain, taking me on her Parliamentary ‘toilets tour’. Melanie has for an extensive period of time would be in a position to political and personal support throughout the project. I trust justify, and be more precise in my recommendations – the just overseen the unveiling of ‘New Dawn’ the art installation know. Whilst this observation reveals something of what is they realise how important it was, knowing that I could draw Report is very much better for this. Liam Laurence Smyth celebrating women’s suffrage. I encourage you to come exclusionary about Westminster; that its ways of working on their experiences and expertise. It was also a very good provided me with assured interpretations of the workings of and see it. It is simply stunning. Melanie has done so much and being are highly complex, contingent, and frequently experience of working with representatives from different the House and thoughtful consideration of, and suggestions for the showing of diverse artwork in the House; she also conventional rather than rule-based. I would also suggest parties. on, individual reforms. He was also a welcome lunchtime offered me excellent advice and parliamentary friendship. that the disposition of Parliament’s administrative staff reveal companion on more than one occasion. Simon Patrick Mari Takayanagi similarly provided friendship alongside the very highest standard of service. very patiently took me through Standing Orders, and a feminist history of the House, and she took me on a I also spoke with other Members, again male and female, willingly answered all the queries in purple ink that I had Parliamentary tour, including to the ‘Original Act Room’ that as part of this project; they shall remain anonymous but scribbled all over them. To Paul Evans, I am grateful for inspired ‘New Dawn’. The BG IPU and IPU Geneva, and especially Emily Davies, I thank them generously. I hope that they feel that their the driest of senses of humour, and a political astuteness Kareen Jabre, and Rick Nimmo must be thanked for hosting views are fairly represented in this Report, even if they do that ensured that I was able to better negotiate the and contributing to the international Conference on Gender not necessarily agree with all of the recommendations politics of parliamentary reform, and to do so in a convivial There are three Members of House staff that I wish to thank Sensitive Parliaments held at Westminster in November 2015. that I make. A couple of MPs were particularly helpful and atmosphere. The ‘budding’ of my political antennae is in particular: first, Iana Messetchkova who worked with Emily acted with particular good grace as a stand-in chair supportive – above and beyond what I could ever have very much down to him. I’m not sure we share the same me in the autumn of 2015 – she was a brilliant research in the face of my loss of voice on the day itself. Mr Speaker expected. I trust that they know who they are. I also had the choice of pubs, mind you. I must especially thank Andrew assistant. Iana was someone whom I wanted to talk things opened the event, and I thank him for that. Thanks also, to opportunity to meet with the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Kennon. Andrew had already been an excellent ‘link’ for the through with, and who could be relied upon to have good Elizabeth Evans (University of Bristol) for acting as Rapporteur; Party and the Conservative Party’s Women’s Forum. Parliamentary Studies Programme at the University of Bristol ideas, great research and administration skills, and was and to Mr David Natzler (Clerk of the House) and Lucy Wake when I approached him with this project. My initial thoughts always enthusiastic. Secondly, I am grateful to Matt Korris (Amnesty) for acting as discussants; and finally to Professors about ‘inviting myself into Parliament’ might never have – an old friend from his Hansard Society days – for his very Lenita Freidenvall and Johanna Kantola (Stockholm University Two former MPs, Mary Macleod and Jo Swinson, unselfishly come to fruition without his support. I suspect that he found generous assistance with this Report. Finally, I must single and the University of Helsinki, respectively) and to Ola gave up their time to assist me. Both have significant himself having to defend my presence to Members within out Chloe Challender. Chloe accompanied me on this Johannson MP (Sweden) and Johanna Sumuvuori (ex-MP, records in respect of seeking and effecting a re-gendering the House. I am most appreciative of his willingness to stand journey from the very start: ‘Feminists in Residence’ indeed. Finland) for their academic and practitioner input. of the UK Parliament. Their experiences in developing and by me, especially when I was not always cognisant of the Together the two of us would like to thank the John Simon implementing reforms were invaluable; their role in this peculiarities and particularities of the House. Hair Salon for the most fantastic of blow dries. project demands formal recognition. I also participated in a number of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) events whilst embedded in These senior clerks together played a significant role in this Many other individuals – male and female – offered me the Commons, including the first ever Women’s Forum at the The Advisory Group included: Myfanwy Barrett, John project. They provided me with professional and personal considerable and considered advice and support. PCH’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Benger, Chloe Challender, Sarah Davies, Anne Foster, Gosia support that did not diminish as the months wore on; giving Despatch box very much became my home. Some of these in Malta. My thanks go to Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, McBride, and Hannah White (Institute for Government and up a lot more of their time and attention than I could ever are not named for reasons of anonymity, although some Fiona Mactaggart MP, Valerie Vaz MP, Baroness Berridge, ex of the House). These parliamentary officials – most of have expected. This Report is unquestionably better for were publicly associated with the project or were known to and Helen Haywood (CPA) for making this such an enjoyable whom I did not know before arriving in Parliament – again their knowledge, experience, and intellectual challenges. ‘know me’ and so they can safely be identified. I would like trip. This trip also confirmed that the British national costume offered immeasurable political insight and expertise that I am able to confirm that UK parliamentary politics is, at to thank: Maxine Albert, Mathew Barrow, David Beamish, for women is the ‘little black dress’, albeit with a little bit of I simply never could have gained in the time I spent in least as currently practiced, not for the thin-skinned, and Megan Conway, Rachael Cox, Richard Cracknell, Ana sparkle. Parliament. Thank you for being so selfless in your support. so their personal support must also be acknowledged. I Dickson, Helen Emes, Oonagh Gay (former official), George note – before someone else points it out – that these are all Guven, Helen Haywood, Tom Healey, Philippa Helme, men, one indicator of the gendered hierarchies of the House Mark Hutton, Rhiannon Hollis, Georgina Holmes-Skelton, Women from feminist and parliamentary and political I also had a circle of what I like to call my Critical Friends: to-date. Aneela McKenna (and her team in the Scottish Parliament), civil society groups also generously gave up their time Clerks, ex-officials, and external experts on Parliament. Adam Mellows-Facer, Nicole Mason, Ann Moghaddami, to assist me: Ruth Fox (Hansard), Katie Ghose (Electoral Jessica Mulley, Colin Lee, Holly Pembridge (and her team Reform Society), Alexandra Runwick (Unlock Democracy), in the National Assembly for Wales) Crispin Poyser, Jenny Frances Scott (50/50), Nan Sloane (Centre for Women Radcliffe, Rob Truelove, Phillipa Tudor, Richard Ware, Aileen and Democracy), Sam Smethers, Polly Trenow, and Walker, and Penny Young. I would also like to thank those Jemima Olchawski (Fawcett Society), and Kate Willoughby Clerks and officials from the Parliaments that completed my (Emily Matters). Lucy Wake was my non-resident feminist questionnaire on Parliamentary infrastructure and culture. throughout the project, and she requires particular I wish also to thank representatives from the WENs for recognition for making me appreciate that value of ‘post it meeting with me. notes’ and a large piece of white paper.

54 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 55 Bibliography

Bryant, C. (2014) Parliament, The Biography Crewe, E. (2015a) The House of Commons Additional colleagues from the wider world of political Finally, I want to acknowledge the ongoing support of my Volume 2: Reform (London: Transworld (London: Bloomsbury). think tanks, organisations and the media included: Tasbiah family and friends; they saw too little of me this year, and Publishers). Crewe, E. (2015b) Commons and Lords Akhtar, Briony Carew (IPSA), Iain Dale, Zeina Hilal (IPU), when they did I was often exhausted. But I knew that they Chappell, L. (2015) The Politics of Gender (London: Haus Publishing). Kareen Jabre (IPU), Megan Lee (Law Commission), Chris would forgive and feed me. As ever, thank you. Justice at the International Criminal Court Terry (Electoral Reform Society), Phil Thompson (Electoral (Oxford: OUP). Criddle, B. (2015) ‘Variable Diversity: MPs and Commission), and Joe Twyman (YouGov). Candidates’ in P. Cowley and D. Kavanagh (ed) I am, of course, solely responsible for The Good Parliament. Campbell, R. and Childs, S. (2014) ‘Parents in The British General Election of 2015 (London: Academic friends were as reliably supportive of my work as This Report was never about constructing a fantasy Parliament, Where’s Mum?’, Political Quarterly, Palgrave). ever, personally and substantively. Too many had to put up Parliament but of offering a set of very practical interventions 85, 4. Flynn, P. (2012) How To Be An MP (London: with me being rather preoccupied with Parliament for the that the House could – and should – adopt. It is now for Casey, L. S. and Reynolds, A. (2015) ‘Standing Biteback). best part of a year, but they were happy to talk over what politicians and the House to act on this ‘menu of reforms’. Out: Transgender and Gender Variant Candidates needed to be done, and how it might be achieved. and Elected Officials Around the World’, Fox, R. (2012) ‘Too Important to Sarah Childs access via www.newstatesman.com/politics/ Leave to the Parties’, Political Quarterly, 83, 4. elections/2015/11/invisibility-transgender- For discussing Parliamentary reform, confirming individual people-electoral-politics-around-world Freidenvall, L. (undated) ‘Gender Sensitive reforms, reading parts or all of the Report, and for providing Parliaments: The Case of Sweden’, available Campbell, R. And Childs, S. (2015) ‘All aboard from the author. the research upon which it is based, I would like to thank: the Pink Battle Bus’, Parliamentary Affairs, 68 Peter Allen, Jeanette Ashe, Stephen Bates, Rosie Campbell, supplement 1, with Campbell. Also published in Freidenvall, L. (2013). ‘A Gender Equal Elizabeth Evans, Lenita Freidenvall, Marc Geddes, Sonia A. Geddes and J. Tonge (eds.) Britain Votes 2015 Workplace’, Paper presented to the ‘Women As Palmieri, Melanie Hughes, Kate Jenkins, Ron Johnston, (Basingstoke: Palgrave). Legislators’ Workshop, Onati, Spain 18-19 April. Johanna Kantola, Meryl Kenny, Joni Lovenduski, Heather Savigny, Jessica Smith, Jo Silvester, Jane Tinkler, and Childs, S. (2015) ‘The Unfinished Business of Galligan. Y. and Meier, P. (2014) Women Quotas in the UK’, EUI Working Paper, 2015. Georgina Waylen. in Power and Decision-Making EIGE/2014/ blogs.eui.eu/genderquotas/ OPER/13.

Childs, S. (2013a) ‘In the Absence of Electoral Hansard Society (2005) Women at the Top My colleagues at the University of Bristol deserve thanks Sex Quotas: Regulating Political Parties for (London: Hansard Society). too. First, to SPAIS (the School of Sociology Politics and Women’s Representation’, Representation 49, 4. International Studies) for permitting me a semester away Holli, A.M. and Saari (2009) ‘The Representation from teaching. It is important to publicly acknowledge Childs, S. (2013b) ‘Intra Party Democracy: a of Women in the Parliamentary Standing Gendered Critique and a Feminist Agenda’, the seriousness with which my School takes gender Committee Hearings in Finland, paper presented in Katz, R. and Cross, W. (ed) Intra Party to the 21st World Conference of Political Science, research. The ESRC and the University of Bristol provided Democracy, (New York: Oxford University Press). Santiago. the funds for the project. Secondly, to my students on

the UK Parliament Studies unit (Poli 31336) who gave me Childs, S. (2013c) ‘Negotiating Gendered House of Commons Service, Members and their thoughts on Table 1, and who make teaching about Institutions: Women’s Parliamentary Friendships’, Members’ staff Interview Project Team (2015) Parliament so enjoyable. Thirdly, to Nikki Hicks, whose Politics and Gender, 9. Report for the House of Commons Administration patience and support as I negotiated the design stages was Committee on the findings of the interview Childs, S. (2008) Gender and British Party most appreciated. Most of all to Andrew Wray, who saw study with Members on women’s experience Politics (London: Routledge). in Parliament. Available from www.parliament. the potential of this project from the very start, and took uk/documents/commons-committees/admin- great interest in what I was up to in Parliament; he shares Childs, S. (2004) ’s Women MPs committee/Memoranda.pdf an intrigue for the politics of the place. At all times it was (London: Routledge). most reassuring to know that I had such strong institutional IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards support. Childs, S. And Evans, E. (2012) ‘Taking it out Authority) (2015) Review of the MPs’ Scheme of the Hands of the Party, Women’s Descriptive of Business Costs and Expenses and IPSA’s Representation in the UK’, Political Quarterly, publication Policy, A Consultation. Available from 83, 4. parliamentarystandards.org.uk/Pages/default. aspx Childs, S. and Lovenduski, J. (2014) ‘Representation’, in G. Waylen, K.Celis, J. IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) (2011) Gender- Kantola, and S.L. Weldon (ed.) The Oxford Sensitive Parliaments: Handbook of Gender and Politics (Oxford: OUP). A Global Review (Geneva: IPU).

Childs, S. And Webb, P. (2012) Sex, Gender IPU (Inter-Parilamentary Union) (2012) A and the Conservative Party: From Iron Lady to Plan of Action for Gender-Sensitive Parliaments Kitten Heels (Basingstoke: Palgrave). (Geneva: IPU).

56 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 57 Endnotes

Ilie, C. (2013) ‘Gendering Confrontational Silvester J. (2008) ‘A review of existing systems 1 www.ipu.org/PDF/publications/ 13 A representative Parliament is not limited 27 Childs and Lovenduski 2014. Rhetoric, Democratization, May. for approving prospective Parliamentary democracy_en.pdf to addressing women’s representation and candidates’, Commissioned report for the English most, if not all of us, have more than one 28 See appendix 7. Jones, O. (2011) Chavs, The Demonization of Candidates Committee, Liberal Democrat Party. 2 Jane Mansbridge, PSA Women and Politics (politically salient) identity. An MP might be the Working Class (London: Verso). Conference, University of , June 2016. a working-class, female; a disabled, gay 29 See Appendix 1 for the project research Silvester J. (2012) ‘Recruiting politicians: www.psa.ac.uk/events/psa-women-and- man; or an elite BME man, for example. See design. The methodology behind this table is Kelso, A. (2009) Parliamentary Reform at Introducing competency-based approval politics-summit parliamentarycandidates.org/; Sobolweska outlined in this Appendix. Westminster (: MUP). processes for prospective Parliamentary and Fieldhouse (2013) on ethnicity; Casey and candidates’, in A. Weinberg (Ed.) Political 3 www.ipu.org/pdf/publications/action- Reynolds (2015) on trans representation; Childs 30 See also WIP APPG Report (2014). Kittilson, M. (2006) Challenging Parties, Leadership (: Cambridge University gender-e.pdf (2015) on sex and class. Changing Parliaments (Ohio: Ohio State Univ. Press). 31 See Appendix 5. Press). 4 These recommendations presume that the 14 Norris and Lovenduski 1995; Childs 2008; Sobolewska, M., & Fieldhouse, E. Parliament will last the full five years. Paxton and Hughes 2016. 32 Some might suggest ‘amber’ is warranted Krook, M.L. (2009) Quotas for Women in Politics (2013) ‘Symposium on minority representation due to improvements in recent years regarding (New York: OUP). -Introduction: Are British ethnic minorities 5 www.gov.uk/access-to-elected-office- 15 Childs and Lovenduski 2014. sex and BME representation: I disagree on politically under-represented?’, Parliamentary fund/overview the grounds of: (i) the asymmetry in women’s Krook, M. L. and Mackay, F. (2011) Gender, Affairs, 66, 2. 16 Childs and Lovenduski 2014. representation by party; and (ii) the lack of Politics and Institutions (Basingstoke: Palgrave). 6 www.theguardian.com/society/2015/ representation amongst w/c, disabled and BME Tinkler, J. And Mehta, N. (2016) Report to the oct/30/tory-mps-filibuster-blocks-bill-to- 17 Such claims are also made in business: groups. www.ft.com/cms/s/4f4b3c8e-d521-11e3-9187- Lucas, C. (2015) Honourable Friends? (London: House of Commons Administration Committee give-carers-free-hospital-parking; www. Portobello). on the findings of the interview study with independent.co.uk/voices/comment/prime- 00144feabdc0.html 33 Despite two of the three Deputy Speakers Members on leaving Parliament (Department ministers-questions-the-old-politics-is-back- and the Opposition Chief Whip being female, and-cameron-is-in-trouble-a6712046.html; 18 Childs and Lovenduski 2014. there is a clear under-representation of women Lombardo. E. and Meier, P. (2014) The of Information Services). www.parliament.uk/ www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/ on other House committees, not least the House Symbolic Representation of Gender (Ashgate: documents/commons-committees/admin- nov/13/parliament-women-mps-sexist- 19 www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/ of Commons’ Commission, the Administration Aldershot). committee/Interview-study-Members-leaving- Parliament-report%20-%20April%202016.pdf mothers-westminster. dec/12/conservatives.davidcameron. See also Committee and the Procedure Committee. This www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david- was also true of the recent Joint Committee on Lovenduski, J. (2005) Feminizing Politics Speaker’s Conference on Parliamentary 7 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/research/ cameron/9876685/David-Cameron-I-did-not- the Palace of Westminster. (Cambridge: Polity). Representation: Final Report: Session 2009-10: HC 239-1 (London: TSO). public-attitudes/audit-of-political-engagement/. appoint-enough-women-to-Cabinet.html; www. This Report does not seek to speak to the harrietharman.org/associate_parliamentary_ 34 The amber is warranted here by the sex Norton, P. (2000) ‘Reforming Parliament in the totality of possible UK parliamentary reform. group_for_sex_equality quota for the Speakers and the removal of the UK’, Journal of Legislative Studies, 6. Weinberg, A. (2014) ‘Should the Job of National Politician carry a Government Health Warning?’ See for example: www.hansardsociety.org.uk/ term ‘Chairman’ from most SOs. research/; www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/ 20 www.publications.parliament.uk/ Pitkin, H. (1967) The Concept of Representation in A. Weinberg (ed.) The Psychology of Politicians research/parliament; pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ 35 The establishment of the WEC fulfils a key (Berkeley, University of California Press). (Cambridge: CUP). halltext/151110h0001.htm IPU criterion. 8 www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/ Rogers, R. (2012a) Who Goes Home (London: Weinberg, A. (2015) ‘A Longitudinal Study of the building/restoration-project/; www..co.uk/ 21 IPU 2012, 2011. 36 It was not possible to fully assess the the Robson Press). Impact of Changes in the Job and the Expenses Scandal on UK National Politicians, Experiences news/uk-politics-33184160. culture beyond the Chamber e.g. in Select of Work, Stress and the Home –Work Interface’, 22 IPU 2012, 40. Committees or Public Bill Committees, or in the Rogers, R. (2012b) Order!Order!.(London: the Parliamentary Affairs 68, 2. 9 www.ipu.org/PDF/publications/ private MP spaces of the House of Commons, Robson Press). democracy_en.pdf. The term ‘The Good 23 These are informed by the IPU’s seven although a general account of these informed Parliament’ is mine and not the IPU’s. Chris dimensions of a gender sensitive parliament, WIP APPG (Women in Parliament) (2014) the Report. The wider atmosphere of the House Rogers, R. And Walters, R. (2015) How Improving Parliament Bryant MP (2014) notes that the Parliament of see Appendix 2. is in some respects addressed in regard to the Parliament Works 7th Edition (London: www.appgimprovingparliamentreport.co.uk 1376 was known as the ‘Good Parliament’. provision of inclusionary spaces in a restored Routledge) 24 Recommendations in this Report are limited and renewed House of Commons – see the 10 www.publications.parliament.uk/ to what the House of Commons might do to. recommendations for the Procedure Committee Russell, M. (2011) ‘Never let a Crisis Go to pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ See Childs (2013c), Childs and Evans (2012), and the R&R body. Waste’, Parliamentary Affairs, 64, 4. halltext/151110h0001.htm and the Speaker’s Conference (2010) for more comprehensive discussion of party reform and 37 www.parliament.uk/about/working/work- Paxton, P. and Hughes, M. (2016) Women, 11 The use of the term sex/gender recognises regulation. placements-and-apprenticeships/speakers- Politics and Power: A Global Perspective, 3rd debates about essentialist and socially parliamentary-placement-scheme/ Edition (Thousand Oaks, California: Sage). constructed gender identities and acknowledges 25 Chair of the Women and Equalities that some individuals do not identify with binary Committee, www.publications.parliament. 38 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation 56. Norris, P. and Lovenduski, J. (1995) Political gender or sex identities. One might, accordingly, uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ Recruitment (Cambridge: CUP). and as representatives of Parliaout suggested, halltext/151110h0001.htm 39 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation advocate that the members of a group should 63. The Mental Health Discrimination Act 2013 Phillips, A. (1995) The Politics of Presence not identify as the same sex/gender. 26 Shadow Deputy Leader of the House, came into force at the end of April 2013. (Oxford: OUP). www.newstatesman.com/politics/ 12 Childs and Lovenduski 2014. feminism/2015/10/we-need-do-much-more- 40 Speaker’s Conference Recommendations Silvester J., Dykes, C. (2007) ‘Selecting political make-houses-parliament-21st-century- 33 & 61This was launched as the Access to candidates’, Journal of Occupational and employer Elected Office fund by the Coalition Government, Organizational Psychology, 80. although it has now closed.

58 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 59 41 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation 51. 56 This repeats the aspiration of the WIP 68 The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm. 80 www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sir-paul- 92 These recommendations presume that the half had introduced legal quotas. By contrast, APPG Recommendation ‘Create a zero tolerance www.leyf.org.uk/find-a-nursery/westminster/ beresford/what-do-mps-do_b_9699054.html Parliament will last the full five years. among the twenty OSCE countries lagging 42 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation response to unprofessional behaviour in the house-of-commons-nursery/. behind in growth...none had implemented legal 52. The Scheme makes provision for additional Chamber to ensure the standard of behaviour 81 WIP APPG 2014. 24. 93 Personal correspondence. quotas’. payments to Members with dependants (see in the Chamber is what is accepted in other 69 The WIP APPG report (2014, 23) notes paras 4.22ff). work environments. If behaviour fails to improve, how concerns about intense media scrutiny 82 www.publications.parliament.uk/ 94 This presumes that the Parliament lasts the 108 blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2016/03/16/ additional ‘rules and sanctions’ may need to may reduce supply of women as parliamentary pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ full five years. the-2016-irish-election-demonstrated-how- 43 See Appendix 9. be created.’ The Speaker’s Office might, for candidates. See also www.newstatesman. halltext/151110h0001.htm gender-quotas-can-shift-the-balance-on- example, publish greater detail than currently com/media/2014/04/it-s-2014-yet-media-and- 95 This recommendation upgrades that in the female-representation/ 44 In respect of the House administration, presented in the Sessional returns, including politics-still-man-s-game. 83 WIP APPG Report 2014, 29. WIP APPG Report (2014, 27) which called for a the House of Commons Commission has names and reasons. debate to discuss quotas. The quota should be 109 I’d like to thank Meryl Kenny for this already made a clear commitment to equality 70 O’Neill and Savigny 2013, cited in APPG 84 Silvester & Dykes 2007; Silvester 2008; set at 50:50 for vacant held and target seats, observation. and diversity, with new bodies and procedures. 57 IPU 2011, 68-9. Report 2014. See also Childs 2008, chapter Silvester 2012. and 40: 40: 20 for other seats, to ensure a more www.parliament.uk/about/working/workplace- 6 and Crewe 2015b, 29-30. Both Crewe rapid increase in the numbers of MPs. Legislative 110 See Recommendations for the House of equality-networks/ 58 Erskine May, 24th edition, 444. 2015a and Childs 2008 are clear that ‘sexist’ 85 See Chapter 4, of the Speaker’s Conference quotas should be linked to party funding and Commons Commission for more details. www. reporting is not the preserve of male journalists. Final Report. other party regulation and involve significant parliament.uk/business/committees/committees- 45 www.publications.parliament. 59 In 2014 the House adopted a Respect For analysis of the 2015 general election penalties and incentives (Childs 2012). a-z/other-committees/house-of-commons- uk/pa/spconf/239/239i.pdf; Policy (www.parliament.uk/documents/ campaign, see blog.politics.ox.ac.uk/politics- 86 This complements the Speaker’s commission/workinfo/ appgimprovingparliamentreport.co.uk/ commons-commission/Respect-Policy.pdf) as-usual-women-media-and-the-uk-general- Commission on Digital Democracy 96 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation 23. download/APPG-Women-In-Parliament- which seeks to ‘ensure that any workplace election-2015/ Recommendation. www.parliament.uk/ 111 The composition of the Commission Report-2014.pdf; www.publications.parliament. conflict is handled promptly, fairly and effectively’, documents/commons-committees/admin- 97 Evans and Childs 2012; Campbell and is laid down by the House of Commons uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ and directly addresses issues of harassment and 71 See also Appendix 4. Data is not available committee/Interview-study-Members-leaving- Childs 2015. Administration Act 1978, amended in 2015 halltext/151110h0001.htm; see also Lucas bullying between MPs and House staff. in terms of other characteristics. Note that some Parliament-report%20-%20April%202016.pdf. (House of Commons Commission Act). [Under (2015, 177-9). changes are taking place, with part-time working Such efforts might also limit the rise of the much 98 cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/ paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 1, the Commission 60 The 2012 House of Commons Briefing and job-share one of the reasons for more criticised ‘professional politician’ (WIP APPG handle/1814/36175/LAW_2015_29.pdf may determine its own procedures] See Oral 46 A relative improvement is more achievable, paper ‘Guidance on the Conventions and women in the lobby. Sex differences are more 2014, 24; Criddle in Cowley and Kavanagh 2016). Answers, 21 January 2016, where Tom Brake according a senior male Labour MP. Courtesies of the House notes that ‘The obvious on the television than in newspapers: 99 Childs 2015 unpublished paper; available is ‘pleased’ that ‘the two lay people on the Speaker’s Office keeps comprehensive records www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/13/ 87 See for example, WIP APPG Report 2014, on request. Commission are women’. 47 Russell 2011. of Members’ success and failure in being called women-political-reporting-westminster-lobby 25; Speaker’s Conference Recommendation in debate’. www.parliament.uk/documents/ 14 and 16. In 2002 the Procedure Committee 100 For an account of quotas in the UK 112 It is to be regretted that this issue was 48 Galligan and Meier (2014, 26) ‘it shifts the documents/conventions-and-courtesies- 72 If, in the meantime there is a review of attempted a job description, but ‘the truth is no Parliament see cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/ not addressed in the Straw Report, www. responsibility for change from women to the guidance.pdf. The Speaker has already publicly passes which reduces the numbers of passes definition exists (Rogers and Walters 2015, 54, handle/1814/36175/LAW_2015_29.pdf publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/ institution as a whole’. Crewe (2015b, 33) talks of noted his concern that some women MPs are no overall, the percentage given to women must not 74). See also Review Body on Senior Salaries, cmselect/cmgovern/692/692.pdf. The structural change. longer attending PMQs, www.bbc.co.uk/news/ be less than 40 percent. Report no. 38, Vol. 2. 101 mlkrook.org/pdf/pa_forth.pdf recommended four backbench members uk-politics-27062577. As part of this project it would ‘increase the ability to represent the full 49 See the section ‘The Commons Reference was also claimed to the author that women MPs 73 www.parliament.uk/vote100; twitter.com/ 88 Speaker’s Conference Recommendation 27. 102 Norris and Lovenduski 1995; Childs 2004, spectrum of views in the House’. Note, that the Group for Representation and Inclusion’ in the are deciding not to put in questions for PMQs for UKVote100 2008, 2012; www.rainbowmurray.co.uk/ Membership of the Committee was all male bar main body of this Report for more details. the same reasons. It might also be true for other 89 This amends the WIP APPG Key APSR_2014.pdf one, Valerie Vaz MP. To be sure, paragraph 21 Members. 74 In line with House practice, in the current Recommendation: ‘Ask the DCMS Select notes a relationship between effectiveness and 50 See the Section ‘The Commons Reference Parliament this translates for a committee with Committee and Independent Press Standards 103 Over time quotas are setting higher targets diversity, as well as the importance of talent and Group on Representation and Inclusion’ for 61 www.thenational.scot/comment/tasmina- 9 members to 5 Conservative and 3 Labour MPs Organisation to review sexism in traditional and and are getting better at reaching targets the ‘additional imperative to reflect the diversity of further discussion about the composition, remit, ahmed-sheikh-women-mps-can-help-kill-off- with 1 from the smaller parties. social media including analysis of how female (Melanie Hughes private correspondence). those whom it is there to serve...’ The later make and recommendations made to, the Group. these-tory-dinosaurs.15665. See Ilie (2013) for parliamentarians are represented.’ Each report See also www.quotaproject.org; Fox 2012; no mention of the sex quota for the election of comparison of the UK and Sweden. 75 Where applicable, political parties might would likely incur costs of around five thousand Childs and Evans 2012; www.lse.ac.uk/ the Deputy Speakers (parag 33). 51 It should be conceived of as the first part of want to make one of their nominees the chair pounds. See also Engender Scotland’s demand genderInstitute/pdf/Confronting-Inequality.pdf achieving diversity sensitive parliamentary status. 62 www.theguardian.com/ of their parliamentary women’s organisation. the creation of a Scottish ‘Women in Media’ 113 IPSA 2016, 11. www.ipu.org/conf-e/127/res-plan.htm The IPU commentisfree/2015/nov/13/parliament- Alternatively, MPs could elect their members body, resourced to monitor and challenge 104 In 1997 Labour women MPs constituted 84 has published A Self-Assessment Toolkit for women-mps-sexist-mothers-westminster from sex/gender specific shortlists or a party’s underrepresentation, gender stereotyping percent of all women MPs; 81 percent in 2001; 114 Specific recommendations will be made Parliaments, February 2014. www.ipu.org/pdf/ parliamentary women’s group might nominate and sexualisation of women and girls in print, 77 percent in 2005; 57 percent in 2010; and 52 by the author as part of this consultation which publications/self-e.pdf 63 www.publications.parliament.uk/ the women members. The chair of the Women broadcast and social media, www.engender.org. percent in 2015. Note that it was only in 2015 closes in October 2016. pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ in Parliament APPG might also be a nominee of uk/files/Engenders-Gender-Matters-Manifesto- that the Labour party no longer had more women 52 www.psa.ac.uk/events/future-parliament- halltext/151110h0001.htm their party. --Twenty-by-2016.pdf MPs than all the other parties added together; 115 IPSA 2016, 11. democratic-reform-and-restoration-palace- in no small part, this is explained by some westminster; www.parliament.uk/about/ 64 See Jess Phillips, www.publications. 76 MPs may well identify with more than one 90 As above, this would likely incur costs of unexpected wins by Conservative women and 116 The Report author along with colleagues, living-heritage/building/restoration-project/. parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ under-represented group. around five thousand pounds per report. most importantly, the landslide success of the Professor Rosie Campbell and Dr Emma Crewe, This was also the view of the Straw Report, cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm SNP in Scotland. Women constitute 36 percent made this point on more than one occasion; www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/ 77 Mr Speaker is a self-avowed ‘advocate’ 91 Note, that women’s concerns about of SNP MPs. a number of women MPs individually and cmselect/cmgovern/692/692.pdf. Caroline 65 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0522z48 for the ‘greater participation in politics from the familial press intrusion are a frequently cited collectively contributed to previous reviews. Lucas agrees (2015, 203). widest possible range of people’ (WIP APPG reason not to participate in politics. Tom Brake 105 Krook 2009. Private information. 66 www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/lib- 2014, 6). said he would take the issue of social media 53 Paragraph 330. dem-mp-makes-history-by-bringing-his-baby- abuse to the House of Commons Commission 106 Hughes, private correspondence. 117 As discussed under Recommendation 12. into-commons-for-vote-9611522.html; see also 78 For example, Disability Rights UK, the (WH 10 November 2015). This complements 54 Specific consideration of PMQs is Crewe 2015a, 44. Fawcett Society, the Hansard Society, OBV, and Recommendation 15 of the Digital Democracy 107 IPU 2011, 12. www.ipu.org. See also 118 See also the same point made in the House discussed later under the Procedure Committee Stonewall. Commission. Privacy laws do not apply to www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/pnorris/Acrobat/ of Commons Service (2015, 5, 10) and in the context of R&R. 67 This solution marries with aspects of MPs’ children. See also www.parliament.uk/ OSCEReport_Gender_equality_Norris-Krook. Recommendation 30 of the Digital Democracy 79 www.parliament.uk/documents/ documents/commons-committees/admin- pdf ‘Among the twenty OSCE countries 119 IPSA 2016, 24. 55 This would meet the WIP APPG (2014, Commission. Such a rule should also apply commons-committees/admin-committee/ committee/Interview-study-Members-leaving- registering the sharpest growth in the proportion 35) and Speaker’s Conference (no. 71) to MPs who are unwell or who have particular Interview-study-Members-leaving-Parliament- Parliament-report%20-%20April%202016.pdf of women in parliament during the last decade... 120 Interview data gathered as part of this project. recommendations for improving behaviour. needs relating to a disability. report%20-%20April%202016.pdf

60 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 61 121 IPSA 2016, 70. 133 According to the Speaker’s Conference 140 Alison Thewliss MP, www.publications. being short notice of evidence sessions explains 160 Erskine May 2011, 451; Business of the 174 www.parliament.uk/about/working/ (paragraph 267), ‘while there are arrangements parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ the presence of the ‘usual suspects’. In this House and Its Committees, 42; Rogers and workplace-equality-networks/parliamentary- 122 Data gathered as part of this project. for proxy voting in the House these arrangements cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm the ‘gendered’ nature of ‘everyday constraints’ Walters 2015, 264. role-models/ require the Member to be present in the House frequently fails to be appreciated (www.sheffield. 123 IPSA 2016, 23, 72. of Commons. There is some precedence for 141 See Maria Miller MP, www.publications. ac.uk/politics/people/research/marc-geddes). 161 See Flynn 2012, 132. 175 This recommendation would help meet proxies in the Lords; and in the Labour party in parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ In any case, the symbolic is of importance here. the concerns of the WIP APPG: ‘more can be 124 IPSA 2016, 23, 75. terms of voting in PLP meetings. In New Zealand cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm. Miller 162 No doubt some MPs will lament the loss done to outreach to women across the country’ there is a procedure for proxy voting – Standing rightly goes onto say, ‘does she agree that, by 151 Issues of representation also relate to of the convention relating to ties. See Jacob (WIP APPG 2014, 5). As the Deputy Leader of 125 This Report was written prior to the killing of order 154. See Appendix 6. making this place more family-friendly in the first Committee staff but fall outside of the remit of Rees Mogg, 29 Nov 2013, col 593 www. the House has put it: ‘I should encourage the Jo Cox MP. This is the case amongst those who place, the requirement for us to bring children this report. www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and- publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/ House of Commons authorities to make more participated in Childs’ 2016 study, and reported 134 Proxy voting is permitted for nursing into work would be less acute?’ See Chris offices/offices/commons/house-of-commons- cmhansrd/cm131129/debtext/131129-0002. widely known what happens in relation to flexible in the House of Commons Service (2015, 6) mothers in the Australian House of Grayling’s response to Alison Thewliss MP (4 commission/single-equality-scheme/. htm#13112935000125 working, nurseries, childcare schemes in our ‘Members wondered whether IPSA had taken Representatives. The Speaker’s Conference Feb 2016: Column 1099): ...we must also be unusual summer holidays, career breaks, sufficient account of the equality issues (through (Recommendation 53) called for ‘greater careful to maintain some of the traditions of this 152 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ 163 Bernie Grant was congratulated by Speaker and so on.’ This complements recommendation an equality assessment for example) surrounding transparency’ regarding the organisation of House as well’. www.publications.parliament. blog/11979/meet-the-new-select-committee- Weatherill for wearing an African Daishiki (SN/ 12 of the Digital Democracy Commission. its rules around travel and taxis, including the pairing. Formal pairing might, if it was in place uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm160204/ chairs/ PC/06432, 12). news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_ www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ implications for those travelling with children. over an extended period, risk rendering the debtext/160204-0001.htm politics/771601.stm cmhansrd/cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm paired MP unduly absent from parliamentary 153 2015 saw 11 incumbent chairs stand for It also complements the current Diversity and 126 Campbell and Childs 2014. onlinelibrary. duties. Again, this might raise questions of 142 The symbolic value of permitting infant election again. www.parliament.uk/documents/ 164 The standard of ‘business dress’ would Inclusion communications/role models campaign. wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-923X.12092/ legitimacy and effectiveness for the individual MP. feeding is noted by Caroline Lucas MP (2015). commons-committees/guide-select-ctte- undoubtedly rule out the wearing of beach wear, abstract It might also reinforce the health benefits of members.pdf including shorts and flip flops, or jeans and 176 www.parliament.uk/about/working/work- 135 See Appendix 6. Also, IPU 2011, 94. breastfeeding www.who.int/maternal_child_ sundresses. Whilst frequently ruled inappropriate placements-and-apprenticeships/speakers- 127 The survey did not specifically ask about Australia: www.aph.gov.au/~/media/02%20 adolescent/topics/child/nutrition/ 154 For Example, once the total number of as business dress the question of ‘trainers’ is parliamentary-placement-scheme/ caring or adoption leave. Parliamentary%20Business/24%20 breastfeeding/en/ Select Committees is agreed, the Chair positions, more arguable for those with mobility issues: Committees/243%20Reps%20Committees/ would by a process of lottery, be designated www.caledonianclub.com/club-information/faqs. 177 Any scheme should provide for those who 128 IPU 2011, 92-4. Procedures/NursingMothers/FullReport. 143 www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ either ‘male’ or ‘female’ for the duration of the may have caring responsibilities, e.g. provide pdf?la=en; Canada: www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/ article-1314283/Licia-Ronzulli-brings-baby- Parliament. Single sex elections would then be 165 Indeed, it has been in receipt of national funding for child or other care where necessary. 129 The Group would also be fulfilling en/PROC/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=8775954 EU-Parliament.html; www.dailymail.co.uk/ used to elect a Chair for each Select Committee awards for its efforts in this respect. www. Recommendation 49 of the 2010 Speaker’s news/article-3399700/Attention-seeking-MP- Chair. A strict 50:50 quota could be used. parliament.uk/business/news/2016/january/ 178 www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-- Conference. The House of Commons Service 136 See Barbara Keeley MP, www.publications. criticised-breastfeeding-baby-parliament- Alternatively, a ‘40, 40, 20’ quota would provide house-of-commons-placed-116-out-of-400-in- london-35685169 2015, includes reference to ‘the pressure to parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ debate-Madrid.html; See also Jess Phillips, for greater flexibility, and would be inclusionary equality-index/ come back after having a child was therefore [in cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ of MPs who may not identify as either male 179 As advocated in the WIP APPG Report absence of proper maternity leave] great (House cmhansrd/cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm or female. The use of lot would importantly 166 See the late Jo Cox, www.publications. (2014, 34).On one occasion when my own pass of Commons Service 2015, 14). See also www. 137 www.publications.parliament.uk/ avoid the problem of re-enforcing the historical parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ was the ‘wrong way around’ and a police officer publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ 144 www.publications.parliament.uk/ gendered segregation of Committees that is cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm asked me to show the other side, I discussed cmhansrd/cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm halltext/151110h0001.htm In January 2016 pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ currently evident, with apparently ‘women’s this recommendation; he heartily approved, a Spanish MP breastfed her baby, www.bbc. halltext/151110h0001.htm committees’ chaired by women, e.g. Health, 167 www.parliament.uk/education/visit- stating it would make his life much easier. The 130 This consultation could be extended beyond co.uk/news/world-europe-35303171 and the WEC, and ‘men’s committees’, e.g. parliament-with-your-school/faqs-and-subsidy/ counter argument that all staff should be trained parents to acknowledge the caring needs of 145 www.publications.parliament.uk/ The Treasury, Defence, and Foreign Affairs the-education-centre/ better to recognise Members and to be polite others in society, not least elderly people. 138 This change was effected by amending pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ chaired by men. in asking for Members and staff to show their SO 257 to provide that ‘a visitor does not halltext/151110h0001.htm; See also www. 168 www.parliament.uk/get-involved/ ID fails to recognise the sensitivity of being 131 Our current system of election (first past include an infant being cared for by a Member’. newsweek.com/uk-parliament-break- 155 HC Deb (1981–82) 27, c 468; ibid education-programmes/universities- frequently asked to prove one’s right to be in a the post, or single member simple plurality) The change implemented a House Standing breastfeeding-taboo-422811 (1987–88) 119, c 194; but see ibid (1988–89) programme/students-and-parliament/ particular place. renders it harder- albeit not impossible – to Committee on Procedure Recommendation, 159, c 1283. adopt a ‘substitute’ solution. In party list systems presented in December 2015. Personal 146 Brief on House of Commons Family Friendly 169 www.parliament.uk/education/teaching- 180 See also WIP APPG (2014, 35); www. a substitute who acts in the place of the MP correspondence. www.abc.net.au/news/2016- Policies, 2015. www.leyf.org.uk/find-a-nursery/ 156 The requirement that Members wishing resources-lesson-plans/mp-for-a-week-game/ parliament.uk/documents/commons- is identified from the party list, frequently the 02-02/breastfeeding-politicians-allowed- westminster/house-of-commons-nursery/ to raise a point of order during a division wore 170 www.parliament.uk/about/ committees/admin-committee/Interview-study- next best placed candidate. In the UK such to-bring-children-into-chamber/7133324; a hat has been abolished (1997/8 HC 600, Members-leaving-Parliament-report%20-%20 an approach would require the parties to ‘find’ www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog. 147 See Neil Gray MP: ‘I have not been able to 64, see SN/PC/06432, 10). ‘That MPs had to 171 www.parliament.uk/about/ April%202016.pdf people, most likely a losing candidate or ex- html?b=news.nationalpost.com//news/ bring my one-year-old down terribly often. Part speak uncovered’ is according to Bryant (2014, MP to act in the place of an MP on maternity, canada/canadian-politics/breastfeeding-mps- of the problem is that, although there is a nursery 249, 250) ‘another Victorian affectation dressed 172 www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and- 181 As suggested by the WIP APPG Report paternity or caring leave. However, questions cause-a-stir-in-parliaments-around-the-world- here, it does not have a crèche facility. Children up as tradition’. See Rogers (2012, 194) for a offices/ See APPG Key Recommendation: (2014, 35). might be asked regarding the legitimacy of this but-with-more-women-running-than-ever- have to use it full time.’ www.publications. discussion of hats and Nancy Astor MP. ‘Improve the online gateway to Parliament to individual who will not have stood for election in in-canada-it-should-be-the-new-norm. This parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ enhance the parliamentary online presence and 182 There would be a roundtable meeting the said constituency. Both local parties and the report cites case in Argentina and a Canadian cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm 157 SN/PC/06432, 12. Speaker and Deputy encourage more women and other currently between officials and party representatives to wider electorate might not in such circumstances MP carrying a baby in the chamber. Australian Speakers 2015, 10. HC Deb (1951–52) 498, c under-represented groups to consider a role discuss how selection processes could be more accept an alternative non-elected party Parliament – Breastfeeding MPs can now be 148 www.scottish.parliament.uk/ 2750; ibid (1979–80) 984, c 986. The Speaker in public life, to help change people’s lives and transparent. Childs and Evans 2012; HC Deb 12 representative acting in the place of their MP. accompanied by their spouse or nanny on all visitandlearn/12522.aspx has also indicated that members should not the communities in which they live.’ See also January 2012 c440 One might also think of the arrangements prior official interstate travel. www.theaustralian. wear arm bands to publicise a cause, HC Deb www.parliament.uk/documents/commons- to a by-election, whereby constituency duties are com.au/national-affairs/parliament-moves-to- 149 www.newstatesman.com/politics/ (2004–05) 431, c 1519. committees/admin-committee/Interview-study- 183 HC Deb 27 February 2014 c511 ‘normally handled by a neighbouring MP of the become-more-mumfriendly-as-breastfeeding- feminism/2015/10/we-need-do-much-more- Members-leaving-Parliament-report%20-%20 same party’ as constituting a practice/norm akin mps-win-more-travel-flexibility/news-story/ make-houses-parliament-21st-century- 158 Speaker and Deputy Speakers 2015, 12. April%202016.pdf 184 parliamentarycandidates.org/; Campbell to a proxy (see Rogers and Walters 2015, 23). employer and Childs 2015. 139 This is the case in Canada, Denmark, 159 As a senior male Clerk told me. See also 173 See the recommendation relating to Section 132 The inclusion of remote voting for MPs on Finland and New Zealand; whilst in Germany 150 Anecdotally it has been suggested that Flynn (2012, 132); Lucas (2015, 173) ponders 106 of the Equality Act 2010 below. The House 185 Seat safety refers to whether a party holds maternity/paternity/caring leave need not be despite formal procedure ruling it out, in practice, childcare is rarely a reason for a witness not to the irony of having to cover up her ‘No more of Commons Library already publishes some the seat; came 2nd or 3rd within a margin of less read to favour this reform in general. I leave it to Members have periodically taken their children in, be able to participate as a witness to a select page 3 T shirt’. information on MPs’ backgrounds but this should than 5 percent of the votes; 2nd or 3rd within a those who know about technology to establish a although there is no precedent for infant feeding committee. At the same time it is frequently be supplemented with candidate data and given margin of more than 5 percent but less than 10 secure system, e.g. biometric validation. within the chamber. accepted that the ‘everyday’ reasons of there more prominence on the website. percent; and, other.

62 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 63 186 www.parliament.uk/written-questions- 198 In the WIP APPG Report (2014, 15): 207 www.parliament.uk/documents/ 218 wonklifebalance.wordpress. of the debate’ www.telegraph.co.uk/women/ 243 www.parliament.uk/business/committees/ answers-statements/written-question/ A number of the longer-standing MPs responding publications-records/House-of-Lords- com/2015/07/05/does-it-matter-that-there-is- politics/sorry-mums---we-simply-cant- committees-a-z/joint-select/joint-committee- commons/2015-12-14/19860 to our survey commented that the life of a Publications/Rules-guides-for-business/ only-one-man-on-the-women-and-equalities- allow-mps-to-vote-from-home/ ; see also on-the-palace-of-westminster/role/. Of Member had become harder in recent years Companion-to-standing-orders/Companion- select-committee/ For a recent Canadian parliamentsandlegislatures.wordpress. the twelve members of the Committee only 187 The written answer reported that in despite the improvement in the working hours of to-Standing-Order-2015.pdf; www.parliament. consideration on this matter, see www. com/2015/12/07/the-art-of-oratory-in-the- two are women. See Digital Democracy 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15, there had been Parliament itself. uk/business/publications/house-of-lords- embassynews.ca/news/2016/04/06/huge- house-of-commons/ Recommendation 28 which speaks of ‘seize[ing] 27, 34 and 48 applicants respectively; some publications/rules-and-guides-for-business/ irony-in-male-dominated-study-of-women- the opportunity...to ensure that Parliament is fit 271K had been awarded; most to applicants in 199 Among reasons given for standing down companion-to-the-standing-orders/ peace-and-security-says-mp/48450 230 Rogers and Walters 2015, 157. for the future’. greater London and the South East; with similar from Parliament ‘the most common one given amounts awarded to women and men; and that was the impact being an MP had on family life’ 208 www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/wp-content/ 219 content.yudu.com/web/1w6ew/0A1w6f0/ 231 Lucas 2015. The WIP APPG Report (2014, 244 www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/ 218K had been awarded to white applicants, www.parliament.uk/documents/commons- uploads/2015/11/Historical-background-to- ParlIssueOne2016/html/index.html?page=1 33) ‘encourage[d]’ more group and or deferred jan/26/palace-of-westminster-refurbishment- approximately 27K to Asian applicants, and 23K committees/admin-committee/Interview-study- gender-neutral-language.pdf. voting’ and thought electronic voting worthy of could-see-mps-and-peers-relocated to Black, African, Caribbean, and Black British; Members-leaving-Parliament-report%20-%20 220 For additional images of the same ilk, see ‘discussion’. and finally that some 120K had been awarded to April%202016.pdf 209 The WIP APPG (2014, 33) held that recess www.google.co.uk/search?q=treasury+select+ 245 Note how the term ‘better’ implies that later the Labour Party. should be renamed to reflect the fact that MPs’ committee&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&sour 232 These relate mostly to SIs and EU hours are by definition worse. 200 Amended from WIP APPG Key are mostly working rather than on holiday when ce=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip4- documents (A short Guide to Business of 188 www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ Recommendation: ‘Reconnect with voters by the House is not sitting. Although not gendered KupOjLAhVJRhQKHYHOBz0Q_AUICCgD the House and its Committees (2015, 58). 246 The 2014/15 session had 133 sitting days, cm201516/cmstords/soadd0506.pdf rebalancing parliamentary and constituency this is clearly opaque language. This complements Proceedings of Bills are not covered by these a total of 989 hours and 14mins at an average of priorities given that the role and expectations of recommendation 5 of the Digital Democracy 221 This recommendation reflects the fact arrangements (ibid). 7 hours and 26mins per sitting day. The 2015/16 189 Again, there is no suggestion that such a MP have changed over time.’ See also WIP Commission. See Rogers and Walters (2015, that there are some 370 select committee session has so far had 116 sitting days, a total of a calendar could not respond to serious and APPG (2014, 33). 53) for an explanation of the cricketing origins of places to be filled and only 191 women MPs 233 parliamentsandlegislatures.wordpress. 897 hours and 22mins at an average of 7 hours unexpected events. ‘maiden speech’. Cf Disraeli, ‘A maiden speech overall, a good number of whom serve on the com/2015/12/07/the-art-of-oratory-in-the- and 44mins per sitting day. Source: House of 201 www.parliament.uk/documents/ so inaudible that it was doubted whether after all front bench teams. At the time of writing the house-of-commons/ Commons Library. See also SN02226. 190 www.parliament.uk/business/news/2014/ commons-committees/admin-committee/ the young orator really did lose his virginity’, cited Cabinet is one-third women, the Government september/recall-of-house-of-commons/ Interview-study-Members-leaving-Parliament- in Rogers (2012a, 35; see also 154). overall more than 25 percent female, and 234 The Speaker’s Conference 247 www.theguardian.com/ report%20-%20April%202016.pdf Labour’s Cabinet attendees are fifty percent (Recommendation 54) suggested the House commentisfree/2015/nov/13/parliament- 191 www.parliament.uk/about/how/occasions/ 210 See Lucas (2015). female. researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/ reconsider business hours. women-mps-sexist-mothers-westminster recallparliament/ 202 Research suggests that women are documents/SN05368/SN05368.pdf currently fewer than 1 in 4 of Select Committee 211 SO 7: No Member’s name shall be affixed 235 This discussion is a very good example 248 www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ 192 Contra Rogers and Walters (2015, 372). witnesses www.psa.ac.uk/conference/2016- to any seat in the House before the hour of 222 BBBC ’15 June 2010. where conceiving of the House of Commons cm201213/cmstords/614/body.htm conference-0/paper/taking-evidence-role- prayers; and the Speaker shall give directions to as an organism reveals the impact on other 193 Mr Speaker has made clear his position witnesses-evidence-gathering-process-select. the doorkeepers accordingly; SO 8: Any Member 223 In the accompanying debate, Angela Smith staff working in the House other than MPs. 249 SN02226, 7. www.politicshome.com/party-politics/ Geddes finds that men were 76 percent of all having secured a seat at prayers shall be entitled MP argued that ‘The opposition [Labour] will Late sittings and unpredictable sittings will bear articles/house/john-bercow-its-time-rethink- Select Committee witnesses, with the Treasury to retain the same until the rising of the House. have a quota to provide gender balance on heavily on other staff working in the House and 250 Sitting days starting on 7/9/15 and 5/1/16. conference-break . performing the worst: less than 10 percent the Committee, because we are committed to who have caring responsibilities, and will likely Source: DIS of its witnesses were women. Private sector 212 Private MP comment. equality when it comes to gender representation limit diversity overall. 194 This recommendation was submitted as witnesses were also particularly unrepresentative, in the House’. HC Deb 12 March 2012 c46. SN/ 251 The EU referendum bill followed a long part of the Procedure Committee’s Inquiry into at10 percent. The best ranking Committee was 213 SN/PC/06432, 5. PC/6290 and SN/PC05654. See Freidenvall 236 See also researchbriefings.files.parliament. statement on Syrian migrants. reform of Private Members’ Bills (January 2016) International Development at 30 percent. See (undated) ‘, for a comparison. uk/documents/SN02226/SN02226.pdf www.parliament.uk/business/committees/ also eprints.lse.ac.uk/55425/1/Democratic%20 214 SN/PC/06432, 5. 252 Rogers and Walters 2015, 133. committees-a-z/commons-select/procedure- Audit_Who%20gives%20evidence_ 224 The WIP APPG Report (2014, 37) 237 See the discussion between Therese Coffey committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/private- January%202014.pdf. Using data from one 215 Private MP comment. notes: ‘Members do not know for more than MP and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP, www. 253 House of Commons Service 2015, 12. members-bills-15-16/publications/ month in autumn 2013, Berry and Kippin a maximum of two weeks the Parliamentary publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ found that 76 percent of witnesses to House of 216 BBBC ’15 June 2010 ‘...remaining Agenda. See also Rogers and Walters (2015): cmhansrd/cm160121/debindx/160121-x.htm 254 Mullin 2009, 320. 195 Parties would decide when to hold their Commons Select Committees were male. In the members be elected by all the House, in the a ‘pretty firm’ first week followed by a second party conferences. These could be moved to a ‘expert’ category this rose to 83 percent, and same way as deputy speakers, with provisions ‘more likely to change’. 238 This section expands my submission to the 255 Admittedly, this is an empirical question but weekend model or might be held in one of the if one was looking just at individuals without an to ensure some gender balance’; cf 12 March Joint Committee of Parliament, February 2016. see Weinberg 2014, 2015. parliamentary recesses. organisational affiliation, 89 percent. The worst 2012, the House agreed to SO N 122D...’one 225 A younger male Conservative Member who www.parliament.uk/business/committees/ ranking Committee, taking evidence from effect of the changes [from whole House election had worked outside politics before becoming committees-a-z/joint-select/joint-committee- 256 Anonymous MPs. 196 Private Members’ Bill (PMB) business could less than six percent women was energy to party election] ...is to remove the requirement an MP was adamant about this. See also Alison on-the-palace-of-westminster/inquiries/ either be integrated with other business or see and climate change. for gender balance in the committee. ...SO [had] Thewliss, and the late Jo Cox MP, parliament-2015/restoration-and-renewal- 257 See Weinberg 2014, 2015. the establishment of ‘PMB Thursdays’ thereby specified that the Committee must include at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ consultation-15-16/ recreating current Friday practice. The ‘lost’ 13 203 Marc Geddes 2016, 20-1. least two men and two women. In the debate, cmhansrd/cm151110/halltext/151110h0001. 258 The IPU (2011, 121) Night sittings should be PMB Fridays are more than compensated for Angela Smith for the Labour party argued that htm 239 Bryant 2014, 372. discontinued and sittings should be aligned with by the 12 ‘reclaimed party conference’ days. 204 This is a practice established in Finland by ‘The opposition will have a quota to provide school holidays. There is also the aforementioned Hansard 13 Friday sitting times = 65 hours, 9.30- the Gender Equality Act 1995, amended in 2005 gender balance on the Committee, because 226 As in the Scottish Parliament, 240 Rogers 2012, xi ‘knock on’ effect on parliamentary staff. 14.30. Current Thursday sitting hours 9.30-17.30 (Holli and Saari 2009). we are committed to equality when it comes to see Appendix 9. x 12 = 96 hours. I leave it to others such as the gender representation in the House’ (HC Deb 241 hansard.millbanksystems.com/ 259 Personal Observation. Hansard Society to make suggestions to the 205 I would like to thank Marc Geddes for 12 March 2012 c46).SN/PC/6290 and SN/ 227 For example, Criminal Justice Scotland Bill, commons/1943/oct/28/house-of-commons- processes and form of PMBs. this suggestion. PC05654. Stage 3, formal divisions at 3.45. rebuilding; blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/ 260 Until 1836 those voting ‘aye’ went out of the-palace-of-westminster-should-be-a- the Chamber; the Noes sat where they were 197 See Neil Gray MP www.publications. 206 See www.parliament.uk/documents/ 217 Unpublished research by Stephen Bates, 228 Rogers and Walters 2015, 267. museum-not-the-institutional-heart-of-british- (Rogers 2012, 114) parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/ commons-committees/admin-committee/ Mark Goodwin and Steve McKay, www. politics/ cm151110/halltext/151110h0001.htm Interview-study-Members-leaving-Parliament- .ac.uk/schools/government- 229 Ridge contends that it matters that MPs 261 Rogers and Walters 2015, 157. The Digital report%20-%20April%202016.pdf; www. society/departments/political-science- are ‘forced to sit on the green benches listening 242 Rogers and Walters agree (2015, 1, Democracy Commission Recommendation 29 parliament.uk/documents/rules-of-behaviour. international-studies/staff/profiles/bates- to that powerful and dignified oratory’; in her 3). See also theconversation.com/gothic- suggests a move to record votes using smart pdf, page 3. See Recommendation 4, and 32 of stephen.aspx view ’s speech ‘strengthened’ glory-and-pop-up-parliaments-could-past- identity cards as an alternative solution. the Digital Democracy Commission. MPs views even whilst she accepts that MPs visions-help-rescue-the-crumbling-palace-of- frequently vote without listening to a ‘sentence westminster-45218

64 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 65 262 See, the Speaker’s Commission on Digital 279 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/wp-content/ constitution-unit.com/2016/01/29/the- 306 The constituencies and people Parliament 319 www.washingtonpost.com/ 331 As the then ten year old son of a friend – in Democracy. It is worth noting that Division uploads/2014/02/Tuned-in-or-Turned-off- restoration-and-renewal-of-the-palace-of- represents are also made present through posteverything/wp/2015/10/13/why-i-say-no- a blatant attempt not to be sent to bed – asked Lobbies were an innovation introduced after Public-attitudes-to-PMQs.pdf; Rogers and westminster-offers-an-opportunity-to-make- images such as a Chartist petition being to-all-male-panels/ pointed questions about the behaviour of MPs in the 1834 fire (Bryant 20014, 36). Note also that Walters 2015, 376. parliament-more-user-friendly/ presented in 1842, www.parliament.uk/ the Chamber during PMQs, and could not make MPs arriving in ambulances for a vote do not business/committees/committees-a-z/ 320 Parties would by so acting fulfil Speaker’s sense of the MP running to the division lobbies physically have to go through the lobbies. In 280 Recommendation 19 of the Digital 293 A senior clerk claims that these rooms are commons-select/petitions-committee/petition- Conference Recommendation 27. with her screaming toddler. the Lords some Members are permitted to stay Democracy Commission and tomdlondon. preferred by MPs. of-the-month/1842-chartist-petition/ or Caroline seated on the benches. blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/a-radical-and- Lucas, Green Party, , 24 March 2010, 321 This would fulfil Speaker’s Conference 332 It addressed class mostly through practical-proposal-to.html?m=0 294 In June 2016 the WEC held an evidence Brighton Pavilion constituency, www.parliament. Recommendation 57. See also the Digital consideration of the costs of political 263 Flynn 2012, 196. session in which a roundtable format was uk/worksofart/artwork/simon-roberts/caroline- Democracy Recommendation 25. participation. See Lovenduski 2010. 281 This Report was published prior to the adopted. www.parliament.uk/business/ lucas-green-party-brighton-24-march-2010- 264 Rogers and Walters 2015, 161. publication of the Report of the Joint Committee committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/ brighton-pavilion-constituency/7134 322 This would fulfil Speaker’s Conference 333 According to Philip Davies MP (19 Nov Com on the Palace of Westminster which is to make women-and-equalities-committee/news- Recommendation 26. 242WH): ‘One of the most depressing things 265 According to an ex-MP not named for recommendations for the next stage of R&R. parliament-2015/sexual-harassment-and-sexual- 307 Sir Lionel Earle suggests adopting the to have happened was the introduction of a SC reasons of anonymity. See also Crewe (2015a, violence-in-schools-first-evidence-16-17/ National Portrait Gallery’s 10 year rule. 323 See also WIP APPG 2014 Report; Crewe on Women and Equalities. After everything else, 46-7, 215). 282 2012, 174. One MP interviewed for this 2015a, 25. in 2015, we have a separate committee to deal project reinforced this: the people who get seats 295 See Recommendation 16 of the Digital 308 PM Stanley Baldwin ‘his agreement with with women’s issues, on top of the Women’s 266 See Bryant (2014, 250-1) for discussion on the benches are by convention all men. Democracy Commission. the rule’, Source: Emily Green Assistant Curator 324 Included in the WIP APPG Report 2014, 27. Minister, Women’s Question Time, and the many of men’s behaviour towards women (21/12/15). strategies in this country that only deal with in the House in the early 20th century. 283 Private MP comment. 296 House of Commons Service 2015, 15. 325 ESRC/UoB Impact Acceleration Award women. For the record I do not care less if every parliamentsandlegislatures.wordpress. 309 As the WIP APPG (2014, 20) Report 2015-16, ES/M500410/1. MP in this House were female or if every member com/2015/12/07/the-art-of-oratory-in-the- 284 Rogers and Walters 2015, 12-13. 297 For an historical account see Bryant suggested. of my staff were female, as long as they were house-of-commons/. See also WIP APPG 2014, 252. 326 See for example, for the UK, Norris and there on merit. Cf Maria Miller in the same debate (2014, 42); Crewe (2015b, 26); Flynn (2012), 285 The Boundary Review must be completed 310 These are all, admittedly, Labour women Lovenduski 1995; Childs 2004, 2008; Childs and (Column 256WH) ...International Men’s Day is 196. by October 2018. www.assembly.wales/ 298 See contributions from Angela Crawley and MPs but this is a product of Labour’s time in Webb 2012; Campbell and Childs 2015, and also about promoting gender equality ...women NAfW%20Documents/About%20the%20 Barbara Keeley, www.publications.parliament. office between 1997 and 2010. for global studies, Kittilison 2006; Hughes and face discrimination on a daily basis – that is not 267 Rogers and Walters 2015, 289. Assembly%20section%20documents/ uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ Paxton 2016. a myth. He does not do his case much good by Other_Publications/The_Future_of_the_ halltext/151110h0001.htm 311 As with New Dawn, www.parliament.uk/ attempting to belittle that discrimination. 268 MP, Woman’s Hour, Assembly-E.pdf about/art-in-parliament/news/2015/march/ 327 This Report does not seek to produce an www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b079m0v0; 299 House of Commons Service 2015; artwork-to-commemorate-womens-suffrage- account of the gendered nature of the UK House 334 WIP APPG methodology included: online Bryant 2014, 370. 286 As some tube carriages on the London Alison Thewliss, 10 Nov 2015, 44WH. See commissioned-/, and in the Scottish Parliament, of Commons, see for example Crewe 2015a,b; survey of all MPs, evidence from external Underground have citytransport.info/ also www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/09/06/ ‘Travelling the Distance’, www.gov.scot/Topics/ Childs 2013c; Krook and Mackay 2011. www. experts; oral and written evidence from current 269 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ Bakerloo.htm; or as in the foyer of the Scottish westminster-drinking-culture-contributed- People/Equality/18500/comsculp femfiin.com. Joni Lovenduski (2005, 50 & 52- and retired MPs; review of progress of Speaker’s jermey-corbyn-first-pmqs-viewing-figures- Parliament. I make no claims as a furniture to-charles-kennedy-s-problems_n_8095336. 3)): Both gender theory and institutional theory Conference recommendations (2014, 12). The million-people-bbc-10506259.html designer, but suggest it is not beyond their wit html. These recommendations indirectly address 312 In Iceland the Centenary of Suffrage suggests that institutions have considerable Report’s suggestion that ‘job-share for MPs and to design such a bench. questions of the culture of the House beyond celebrations included a digital screen on the capacity to reproduce their cultures. See also Ministers’ be reviewed is to be addressed in a 270 www.totalpolitics.com/blog/28148/30- the Chamber. outside of a parliamentary building with images Crewe 2015a. parliamentsandlegislatures. stand-alone pamphlet, to be published in late facts-about-pmqs.thtml 287 The Queensland Parliament removed of all the women MPs on a loop. Personal wordpress.com/2015/07/29/what-is-a-good- summer 2016. seats to accommodate a quadriplegic 300 In 2012, the number of toilets in the Palace observation. ethnography-of-parliament/ 271 pa.oxfordjournals.org/content/67/2/253. member www.parliament.nz/resource/en- was 530 (Rogers 2012, 37). 335 For a comparison with Sweden, see See also blog.hansardsociety.org.uk/ nz/00CLOOCanzacatt1. See for a discussion 313 The suffrage campaign is rightly a huge 328 www.publications.parliament.uk/ Freidenvall (2013). Interviewing both women and pmqs2015/ the size of the National Assembly for Wales 301 9 November 2015, Points of Order: part of Parliament’s history but the story of pa/spconf/239/239i.pdf. This strategy of men she found that men had a slightly more www.assembly.wales/NAfW%20Documents/ Pauline Latham; Government Equalities Office women and the House of Commons must not establishing a Speaker’s Conference was positive view of the Parliament; critical views 272 Rogers and Walters 2015, 289. About%20the%20Assembly%20section%20 Report (2015, 14); www.hse.govt.uk/contact/ become reduced to suffrage. See Chi Onwurah prompted by the 2005 Hansard Society Women came primarily from the women in the opposition documents/Other_Publications/The_Future_of_ faqs/toilets.htm. Gender neutral toilets have just MP (21 January 2016) discussing the items on at the Top Report. parties, who had served in the Parliament for 273 Rogers and Walters 2015, 308, 289. the_Assembly-E.pdf been introduced into the White House www. sale in the bookshop and the walls of the Palace. some time. charismanews.com/us/49144-obama-opens- www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/ 329 appgimprovingparliamentreport.co.uk/ 274 www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk- 288 uk.news.yahoo.com/sleeping-mp-blasted- first-gender-neutral-bathrooms-at-white-house cmhansrd/cm160121/debindx/160121-x.htm download/APPG-Women-In-Parliament- 336 June 2015 to February 2016. politics-27062577. The 2015 Administration online-actually-115437272.html It is often said Report-2014.pdf I was an adviser to the APPG Committee report queried ‘whether this [criticism by MPs and officials that women’s voices are 302 uk.businessinsider.com/pizza-shops- 314 www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/ for this Report. 337 Interviewees are not named for reasons of of PMQs] was a gender specific issue’. This is not always picked up properly by the existing unisex-bathroom-goes-viral-2016-1. Having members/apg/ anonymity. not, however, the test of whether a parliamentary equipment. had to take my ageing father into a women’s 330 Report for the House of Commons practice is masculinised. Some men may very toilet in a pub, a unisex/gender neutral toilet 315 www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/ Administration Committee on the findings of 338 See the Acknowledgements. well be put off by the particular masculine 289 Rogers and Walters, 2015, 12. would have been most welcome. cmallparty/160603/women-in-parliament.htm the interview study with Members on women’s performance demanded by PMQs. Similarly, experience in Parliament. It adopted a qualitative 339 See the Acknowledgements. some women might very well relish it. 290 This would be facilitated by a move to 303 The Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo. Primarolo was 316 allmalepanels.tumblr.com/; www.owen. approach with interviews (23 Members) and ‘on Estate’ electronic voting. one of the MPs for my university city, the MP for org/pledge focus groups. The aim was to ‘give a real sense 340 ‘So a gendered hierarchy is not merely 275 House of Commons Service 2015, 11. Bristol South 1987-2015. of some of the issues experienced by women, revealed by the absence of women from 291 Rogers and Walters 2015, 372. The 317 www.theatlantic.com/business/ particularly as a result of living and working in influential or decision making forums, but by the 276 Rogers and Walters 2015, 142. obvious example here is the German Bundestag 304 Following Pitkin on symbolic representation archive/2015/10/the-odds-that-a- two geographical centres’ (2015, 4). 17, one-to- denigration of their ideas when they do articulate www.galinsky.com/buildings/reichstag/index. (1967, 100). See also Lombardo and Meier (2014). panel-would-randomly-be-all-men-are- one interviews, one paired interview, one focus them’ (Crewe 2015a, 214-5). 277 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/wp-content/ htm; nearer to home, the National Assembly for astronomical/411505/; ‘qz.com/ group; Labour MPs over-interviewed; women 20 uploads/2014/02/Tuned-in-or-Turned-off- Wales and the Scottish Parliament building are 305 The majority of the Collection dates from 524694/524694/ to 3 men interviewed. See also www.parliament. 341 www.publications.parliament.uk/ Public-attitudes-to-PMQs.pdf ; www.bbc. also illustrative. to the late 18th century to the current day. uk/documents/commons-committees/admin- pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151110/ co.uk/news/uk-politics-26133375 The works are used widely by departments 318 This report contains precise committee/Interview-study-Members-leaving- halltext/151110h0001.htm 292 R&R offers up the possibility of of the House involved in public engagement, recommendations for select committee Parliament-report%20-%20April%202016.pdf 278 blog.hansardsociety.org.uk/pmqs2015/ reconsidering what maximises visitor see www.parliament.uk/art. composition and witnesses. experiences. A point made by Oonagh Gay.

66 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT THE GOOD PARLIAMENT 67 342 Galligan and Meier (2014, 19) note that Portugal allows for temporary substitution; Estonian MPs may request a suspension of their mandate for raising a child under three.

343 www.aph.gov.au/~/media/02%20 Parliamentary%20Business/24%20 Committees/243%20Reps%20Committees/ Procedures/NursingMothers/FullReport. pdf?la=en

344 Not all disabled or gay MPs will be ‘out’; the gendered definition of manual labour might mean that women’s jobs are less likely to be included. See Criddle (in Cowley and Kavanagh, 2015, 342) and Jones (2011, 144). See Appendix 7 for tables for Sex and BME representation.

345 Criddle, in Cowley and Kavanagh 2015, 357.

346 www.disabilitypolitics.org.uk/; www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21464655.

347 Criddle (in Cowley and Kavanagh 2015, 349), citing Andrew Reynolds. www.bbc.co.uk/ news/uk-11398629; www.theguardian.com/ society/2015/apr/05/10-per-cent-population- gay-alfred-kinsey-statistics. See also www.academia.edu/21837364/Standing_Out_ Transgender_and_Gender_Variant_Candidates_ and_Elected_Officials_Around_the_World.

348 All data from the House of Commons Department for Information Services.

349 Changes to sitting times on Wednesdays were agreed on 19 December 1994 and came into effect on 25 January 1995. The changes applied on an experimental basis until the end of the 1994-95 Session [HC Deb 19 December 1994 cc1456-1498 (debate); cc1500-1507 (decision)].

350 On 2 November 1995, the House agreed to make Wednesday morning sittings in the House permanent, hansard.millbanksystems. com/commons/1995/nov/02/parliamentary- procedure.

351 Thursday sittings began at 11.30am from 11 January 1999. See HC Deb 16 December 1998 cc986-1058 and HC Deb 20 November 2000 c101. Sittings in Westminster Hall replaced Wednesday morning sittings from the beginning of the 1999-2000 Session, initially on an experimental basis (See HC Deb 24 May 1999 cc81-132). Sittings in Westminster Hall were made permanent from the beginning of the 2002-03 Session and the Standing Order providing for Wednesday morning sittings in the Chamber was repealed.

352 HC Deb 29 October 2002 cc689-843.

353 HC Deb 26 January 2005 cc327-386.

354 HC Deb 15 July 2012 cc333-385.

68 THE GOOD PARLIAMENT