Parliamentary Book Shelf

The Voice of the . Norton of Louth. In this little the internal criticism. Their defeat The 1922 Committee by Philip book he outlines the history of was the first step in a process that Norton, Conservative History the 1922 Committee, its structure, led to a leadership review and Group, London, 2013, 86p. operation and its importance in the replacement of Mr. Heath by British politics. . anada and the United The 1922 Committee survived For nearly 20 years, from CKingdom supposedly share because in its early years it the end of Mrs. Thatcher’s a similar form of government was seen as a neutral forum government through the known as the Westminster for conveying information to administration of Model but the argument can be members and, at times, serving and then the long period in made that we follow it in name to rally support for leaders like opposition during the Tony Blair only. The reason is not our Baldwin in 1931. It was during government the 1922 Committee federal constitution or the limits the Second World War that the appeared to have lost some of on parliamentary sovereignty Committee became more of a its influence as its leadership imposed by the Canadian Charter force for policy, taking issue with was divided between different and the Supreme Court or any various policies supported by the factions of the Conservative other obvious constitutional war coalition on matters of coal Party. distinction. rationing and wages for example. The Coalition agreement The real differences are more The Committee also developed following the 2010 election has, subtle and take the form of its independent reputation by in the author’s opinion, opened various practices and attitudes inviting speakers who were not a new role for the Committee that have kept Parliament Conservatives to address the as “the authentic voice of the a central part of the British committee. Clement Attlee, the Conservative Party in Parliament” approach to governance (the Labour Leader, was even invited (p. 31). Its influence can be seen debate on Syria being one recent to speak to the Committee at one in the way it has slowed down, example) while the Canadian point. and in some case stopped, the version seems to sink lower and more radical institutional reforms lower in public esteem. Following the Suez crisis in 1956 the Committee began to of the Liberal Democrats such One unique British institution focus more on leadership. Under as electing the Upper House is the 1922 Committee. It Prime Minister Heath and introducing proportional consists of all Conservative representation. private members in the House of Tory MPs began to vote against the government in greater As Lord Norton points Commons. When in Opposition numbers, on more occasions, out in the conclusion, there this includes everyone except and with greater effect that is disagreement over the th the Leader and when in ever before in the 20 century. significance of the 1922 (p.20). Government includes all the Committee in British politics party backbenchers. The government suffered six but he suggests it has played Philip Norton is one defeats, three of them on three and continues to fulfill seven of Britain’s most prolific line whip. Following his loss important functions. Some but parliamentary scholars and since of the 1974 general election Mr. not all of these are performed by 1998 a member of the House Heath tried to get his supporters our party caucuses which are the of Lords where he sits as Lord elected to the executive of the closest thing we have to the 1922 1922 Committee in order to stop Committee.

44 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2013 First, he argues the committee of the parliamentary party was In Britain and in Canada is a channel of communication to narrow the choice to two two frequent criticisms of which can warn the leadership but if 15% of the parliamentary parliamentary government are of impending problems, rally party write to the Chairman of the dominance of the executive the troops or simply serve as a the 1922 Committee requesting and the power of the party sounding board for trial balloons. a confidence vote such a vote is leaders. Apologists for the The committee also plays a then held. If the leader loses, status quo would argue that it role in the development of the the election of a new leader is was always like this and indeed platform for elections. Third, triggered, with the defeated executive dominance is one of the the committee is a kind of trade leader not being eligible to stand. strengths of the parliamentary union for backbenchers where The chair of the 1922 Committee system at least when compared to they can discuss issues such is the returning officer and key the potential for stalemate in the as pay, benefits and services. official in the organization of US Congressional system. Fourth, the 1922 Committee has party leadership contests. The story of the 1922 maintained the integrity of the Committee shows there are party during periods of coalition. ways for a parliamentary system Fifth, on specific issues the 1922 to hold the executive and the Committee can influence the party leaders more to account. policy of the Government. Sixth, Canadian parties would do well it can challenge and remove to take a closer look at the 1922 ministers with Sir Thomas Committee and reflect upon Dugdale, Lord Carrington, Leon how such a body could change Brittan, Edwina Currie, David our political and parliamentary Mellor and Tim Yeo being cited system. as examples. Gary Levy The final function, choosing Bell Chair Fellow and removing the Leader of Department of Political Science the Conservative Party has Carleton University changed several times in the last century. Between 1965 and 2001 Tory MPs alone comprised the electorate. After the electorate became the entire party the role

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