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‘Modernising’ Behind Closed Doors: The Committee for Bringing Parliament Up to Date Holds All Its Meetings in Private

Exclusive: Cross-party group meant to help restore trust in politics has so far refused to hold any of its sessions in public

Sovereigns Entrance in the Victoria Tower of the Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament. Contributor: Radharc Images / Alamy Stock Photo

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The official committee which was set up by the Government as part of its bid to restore trust in politics, by reforming the House of Commons, has not held any public meetings since its launch last October, instead holding five sessions in private between MPs.  

The committee has set out three aims: to drive up standards, improve the Commons culture and working practices, and reform Parliamentary procedures to “enhance effectiveness”. 

But little is known about discussions which have taken place internally so far. 

The official report from the last meeting, on 3rd December, says only: “The committee considered its ongoing engagement event programme and evaluated progress on the call for views so far. As part of hearing from representatives of the smaller parties, the committee had a private briefing with Reform UK representatives.”

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A November meeting summary was similarly brief, stating only: “The committee considered its forward programme, including a briefing with clerks on procedural matters and continued conversations with representatives of smaller parties.

“The committee held a private meeting with representatives from Trade Unions representing Parliamentary staff and staff working for Members of Parliament and with the Members and Peers’ Staff Association.”

A sparse report from the meeting held behind closed doors

The only full set of minutes published, also in November, reported that the committee agreed to “examine witnesses in public, except where it otherwise orders.” But there do not appear to have been any public hearings held or scheduled.

Tom Brake, director of the campaign group Unlock Democracy and a former Lib Dem MP, told Byline Times the committee should “open its doors” to the public.

“The Modernisation Committee is new and sensibly has taken some time to get established.  But I hope it will now open its doors to allow the public to share their views on how Parliament could be modernised for the benefit of every UK citizen.  I doubt they will be shy in putting forward their proposals,” Brake said. 

A Modernisation Committee spokesperson said: “Over the past few months, the committee has been hard at work talking to people inside and outside of Parliament about the changes they want to see. 

“The Modernisation Committee will be considering these as it sets out to drive up standards, improve the culture and working practices and reform procedures to make the House of Commons more open and accessible to people from all walks of life.”

A Commons source said Committees often work in private as well as holding public hearings in order to discuss business, plan inquiries, and to agree reports and recommendations. 

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The Committee is understood to be currently in the “early stages” of gathering views. Once collected, they will analyse all the input to inform their next steps. “When they’ve reached their decisions, the intention is to make this public in a coordinated way,” the source added. 

They are expected to publish contributions to the call for views, where contributors have agreed to go public. Submissions are likely to be published by the end of January. 

Last year, the Committee held engagement events with MPs, MPs’ staff, House staff and others as well as gathering views from the wider Parliamentary community and external stakeholders. Hundreds of individuals submitted their views to the committee.

Defenders argue the Committee Chair and Leader of the House of Commons has appeared publicly before the Procedure Committee to discuss the Committees work and will appear in front of the Standards Committee today (Tuesday) in a session on outside employment and interests. Minister Lucy Powell is expected to back a clampdown on MPs taking contracts with media companies. 

Today Byline Times revealed that MPs earned a million pounds in media gigs and paid speaking appearances in 2024, with the vast majority swept up by just five Reform and Conservative MPs, largely on GB News

The line up of meetings held by the Modernisation Committee

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Josiah Mortimer also writes the On the Ground column, exclusive to the print edition of Byline Times.

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