Member News
The shadow leader of the House has said that MPs have "just 15 or so days" to put in place new rules to create a backbench business committee.
In an article in this week's edition of The House Magazine, Sir George Young said the changes will "lay the path towards a more collaborative way of handling our business are reforms that were necessary and long overdue".
However, he warned that the "tight timescale" means the arrangements may not be in place before the general election.
Earlier this month MPs voted in favour of a backbench committee to schedule some Commons business and the election of select committee chairmen and members.
"The government has said it will find time to debate all of the changes to standing orders," Sir George said.
"But there must be a concern that this may not happen before dissolution.
"Such a delay would jeopardise the ability of the backbench committee to be up and running in time to set the first topical debate of the new Parliament, as I would wish.
"Whatever the outcome of the election, it is vital that we maintain the momentum over the next few months and continue to make the broader changes that are needed to restore people’s faith in politics."
He added:
"The House has suffered something of a cardiac arrest; our task now must be to revive it and ensure that it becomes the beating heart of democratic life."
Sir George said that while the government "dragged its feet, it was the reformers, supported by the Conservatives, who were pushing the pace of reform".
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd