Ascendant Assemblies in Britain? Rebellions, Reforms and Inter-Cameral Conflict

THE relationship between assemblies and government is central to the nature and quality of representative democracy. Over the course of 2006 a reduced government majority in the Commons, a more active House of Lords and plans for reform of the Welsh Assembly will make for lively relations between the executive and assemblies in Britain. The presence of many Labour MPs who were rebellious in the previous Parliament means that we can expect to see members voting against the government on contentious issues, although this may be tempered by the greater costs of such action under a reduced government majority. The government’s smaller Commons majority may also put MPs in a stronger position to push for reform of the chamber.