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    Queen's Speech: Constitution

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    Member News

    Humanists welcome Government commitment to human rights, democracy, freedom and rule of law

    BHA pays tribute to humanist former MPs

    Small firms urgently need post-election certainty, warns business group

    MPs and legal aid

    Protocol between the Lord Chancellor and the Law Commission for England and Wales

    25th May 2010

    Legislation due to be introduced include five-year fixed parliaments, a referendum on a new voting system and cutting the number of MPs.

    European Communities (Amendment) Referendum Lock Bill

    The European Union Bill is a result of the Tories' manifesto pledge to 'restore democratic control' and institute a 'referendum lock'.

    Both the Conservatives and 15 Lib Dem rebels voted in support of a referendum on Lisbon, but were defeated by the government.

    Under the Bill any future treaty that transferred competences from Westminster to Brussels would have to pass a referendum.

    A UK-wide vote would also have to be held before Britain could join the euro – this is in line with the Liberal Democrats manifesto commitment, which also recognised that the present economic circumstances were not favourable for UK membership of the single currency.

    The government will also consider a further United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill making it clear that Parliament is the ultimate source of UK legislation.

    Scotland Bill

    The Bill implements the proposals made by the Calman Commisison, granting the Scottish Parliament more powers over taxation and borrowing.

    The provisions of the Bill have not been fully outlined, but in enacting the recommendations of the Calman Commission it already sets to disappoint the Scottish National Party.

    In their manifesto, the Tories said that they would produce a White Paper in May 2011 which would deal with the recommendations of the Calman Commission, and would legislate on these in the next Parliament.

    It could be that the commitment for a White Paper remains, in which case the full scope of the Bill may not be clear until then.

    Parliamentary Reform Bill

    The Parliamentary Reform Bill and subsequent legislation will include the introduction of fixed five year parliaments, a referendum on a new voting system and give voters the right to recall MPs judged guilty of serious wrongdoing.

    One of the most complex and controversial bills covers parliamentary reform, a subject on which all parties agree action is needed after last year's expenses scandal.

    Under the proposals, the prime minister will not be able to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament unless he can win the backing of 55 per cent of MPs in a Commons vote.

    The Liberal Democrats were keen on the idea of a fixed term Parliaments to stop their Conservative coalition partners calling a snap general election if they felt they could secure an overall majority.

    The plan for a five-year parliament means the next general election would be on May 7 2015.

    Constituents will also be given the right to recall the MP if they are guilty of "serious wrongdoing".

    Parliamentary Privilege (Draft Bill)

    On the back of the expenses scandal, a draft Parliamentary Privilege Bill will be published to clarify the extent to which MP's can use parliamentary privilege to defend themselves from wrongdoing.

    It will also ensure that the job of MPs is fair and adaptable to modern circumstances.

    This draft Bill is part of the government's programme of political reform which is aimed at increasing accountability and transparency.

    It builds on a 1999 Joint Committee report of the current problems associated with parliamentary privilege.

    Keep track of the bills via our legislation page.

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