Recall of MPs

HC 373, First Report of Session 2012-13 - Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:

House of Commons - Political and Constitutional Reform Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £17.50

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The Government's draft Bill on the Recall of MPs aimed to restore faith in the political process after the expenses scandal; the report 'Recall of MPs (HC 373)' warns that the restricted form of recall proposed could reduce public confidence in politics, by creating expectations that are not fulfilled.

Under the Government's proposals, constituents themselves would not be able to initiate a recall petition. Furthermore, the circumstances that the Government proposes would trigger a recall petition are so narrow that recall petitions would seldom, if ever, take place.

The Committee believes that the new House of Commons Committee on Standards, which will include lay members, already has the sanctions it needs to deal with MPs who are guilty of misconduct, including recommending the ultimate sanction of expulsion from the House of Commons in cases of serious wrongdoing. The Committee argues that the option of expulsion must be actively considered and that the House must be prepared to act.

The Committee recommends:

• that the Government replace the requirement for a single designated location for signing the recall petition with a requirement for multiple locations;

• that people with an existing postal vote should automatically be sent a postal signature sheet in the event of a recall petition; and

• that constituents in Northern Ireland should have the same options for signing a recall petition as constituents elsewhere in the UK, rather than being restricted to signing by post.

Extent	146 pages	ISBN	9780215045744
Size	A4	Price	£17.50
Format	Paperback	Published	28 Jun 2012
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges