house of commons needs urgent reform

• argument 1: Executive dominance in parliament and weak scrutiny

  The government, especially when it holds a majority in the House of Commons -> dominates the legislative agenda and can use procedural tools such as 'guillotine motions' to limit debate -> its legislation passes with minimal opposition -> Government defeats on legislation are rare under majority governments -> As of june 2025 - 26 bills passed - no defeats by labour -> even if they incur setbacks like winter fuel payments and MP rebellions -> PM shows dominance as governing party's leader - lack of scrutiny of legislation
• Counter argument 1: Effective Legislative Output: Despite criticisms, the Commons regularly passes complex legislation and responds to national issues, showing it can function effectively within its current structure. The system of committees and debates does allow for scrutiny, and major government defeats do occur - passage and scrutiny of the Border Security Bill and the Employment Rights Bill in 2025. - For instance, the Border Security Bill faced several groups of amendments in the House of Lords, which the government must now address in the Commons, potentially leading to further debate and legislative “ping-pong” between the two Houses. This process shows that, despite criticisms, the Commons is actively engaged in passing and refining significant legislation, with mechanisms in place for scrutiny and amendment at each stage
• Argument 2: Lack of Modernisation and Representation: Critics argue that the Commons’ procedures, traditions, and working hours are outdated, making it less accessible and less representative of modern society. Calls for reform often include demands for more family-friendly hours, digital voting, and greater diversity among MPs. - ongoing debate over parliamentary working hours and digital voting. In 2024 and 2025, several MPs, including members of the Women and Equalities Committee, publicly criticised late-night sittings and unpredictable schedules, arguing these deter people with caring responsibilities—especially women—from standing for Parliament - Despite the successful use of remote voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commons reverted with calls for the reintroduction of digital voting and more flexible working arrangements largely unheeded.
• Counter argument 2: incremental improvement in the House of Commons is the ongoing reform of select committee powers and increased transparency in legislative processes. For instance, the passage and scrutiny of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2025 has involved streamlined procedures and clearer requirements for public interest justification, reflecting efforts to modernise how committees operate and how legislation is examined. Additionally, the Commons has expanded digital access to documents and debates, making parliamentary business more transparent and accessible to the public. These changes show that the Commons is capable of adapting and improving its procedures without the need for urgent, radical overhaul.
• Argument 3: The limited scrutiny of secondary legislation highlights a clear need for reform in the House of Commons. Most statutory instruments are processed using either the negative or affirmative procedure, which means MPs can only approve or reject them in full, with no ability to amend details or hold extensive debates. -> While committees in the House of Lords on Statutory Instruments do examine these instruments, their focus is mainly on technical quality or policy merits, cannot stop legislation from proceeding unless the Commons takes further action. -> draft Scotland Act 1998 Order 2025. This statutory instrument was debated in Legislation Committee, but when it reached the House of Commons, MPs can only vote yes or no. This process allows important policy changes to be made with only minimal parliamentary oversight, demonstrating how the current system restricts the Commons’ influence over secondary legislation
• Argument 3 counter: Checks and Balances Remain ->  The existence of the House of Lords as a revising chamber, as well as judicial review and media scrutiny, provides additional checks on government power. ->

  2024–25 session, the House of Lords has played a significant role in amending and delaying government legislation, including the ongoing debates and amendments to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. -> The Lords frequently asks the Commons to "think again" by tabling amendments, prompting further scrutiny and sometimes forcing the government to make concessions -> This system means the Commons is not the sole line of defence against executive overreach, reducing the pressure for immediate reform -> the judiciary continues to provide oversight through judicial review