Equality and Human Rights Commission calls for reforms to make Parliament fit to represent modern Britain

Published: 03 March 2009

Summary

 Equality and Human Rights Commission calls for reforms to make Parliament fit to represent modern Britain

 Detail

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission, will argue that our political institutions need radical reform or Parliament faces losing its legitimacy, when he gives evidence to the Speaker’s Conference today.

The Speaker’s Conference was established in November 2008 to make recommendations for bringing the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons more in line with the population at large. At present, only 15 of the 646 MPs are black or Asian, and women make up just 19 percent of MPs.

The Commission fears that the routes people follow into Parliament are being narrowed due to the professionalisation of politics and the metropolitan bias towards those who can take unpaid internships. The Commission will therefore undertake research into the pathways MPs follow into the House of Commons with a view to identifying barriers which may exist for under-represented groups. The Commission is recommending that Parliament considers introducing an internship scheme so more people from diverse backgrounds can gain experience working for Members of Parliament.

The Commission is also proposing that the Speaker’s Conference considers the implications of limiting the number of terms MPs and Lords can serve and enhancing the House of Lords Appointments Commission to include political appointments. 

Trevor Phillips says: 'The Commission starts from the position that a Parliament which reflects the make-up of the nation it represents will result in better legislation and a higher degree of public confidence in the democratic process.

'Political parties have a major role to play in promoting diversity, and it is up to them how they run their own selections. Local party members don’t set out to vote against a woman or a black man. But like most other people many members have an image in their head of what a politician looks like. If you asked a class of children to draw a picture of a politician then the chances are nine out of ten would draw a picture of a white man in a grey suit.

'That assumption doesn’t leave us when we get older. In a selection meeting anyone who doesn’t fit this image has a mountain to climb before they even open their mouths. This stereotype will be self perpetuating unless parties take action to break the mould.'

A recent Ipsos Mori poll published by the Commission, shows that British people are increasingly comfortable with racial diversity. Forty per cent of 16-24 year olds from an ethnic minority background think there is more racial tolerance than ten years ago. However, they lack faith in political institutions to treat everyone fairly. Voting turnout has dropped to record lows in recent General Elections, illustrating that many people - particularly the young and ethnic minorities - do not think that Parliament reflects and acts on their concerns.

While there is a commitment across all political parties to increase the diversity within Parliament, the current rate of change in the House of Commons in particular is incredibly slow.

The Commission believes that one way of speeding up turnover would be to impose a term limit for MPs. Limiting MPs to serving a maximum of four parliamentary terms - or roughly 20 years – would allow more people from a wider range of backgrounds to enter the House. These limits could also be considered for the House of Lords. However the proposals would need careful consideration as, for example, it would be important to ensure time limits didn’t prevent Parliament benefiting from the experience of long-serving members.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission argues that a quick way to achieve a more representative second chamber would be to enhance the role of the House of Lords Appointments Commission to include political party recommendations as well as independent nominations. The Appointments Commission could then work with the parties to ensure that nominations increase diversity in the chamber rather than reduce it.

Finally, in its submission, the Commission points out that many other public bodies – for example the Police, Armed Forces, legal and teaching professions – as well as many private companies, have changed their recruitment processes to better reflect society and their customers. Parliament should look for examples of good practice from these organisations. These could include mentoring and role models, flexible working, and an internship scheme for sixth formers or graduates such as those operating in Washington or Brussels for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Trevor Phillips will outline the Commission’s proposals in full when he gives evidence to the Speaker’s Conference on 3 March. A summary of the submission can be read here. 

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