Usual channels
Encyclopedia
"Usual channels" is a term used in British politics to describe the relationship between the Whip
s of the Government and the Opposition. Essentially, this is to obtain co-operation between the two parties, in order to ensure as much business as possible can be dealt with in each parliamentary session.
Negotiations in the "usual channels" take place daily, with key roles being played by unelected civil servants such as the private secretary to the Chief Whip. They determine how the time in each House of Parliament is spent, as well as how select committees should be composed, and who should chair them.
In 2002, the Hansard Society
published a report entitled 'Opening Up The Usual Channels', which concluded that the Commons would benefit from greater transparency if the system were to be replaced by a formal "business committee" as used in other legislatures. In 2006, The Constitution Unit
at UCL
made similar recommendations.
In 2009, following the Parliamentary expenses scandal
, a temporary Reform of the House of Commons select committee, the Wright Committee
, was established to consider issues of House of Commons reform. The recommendations in their report included the establishment of a backbench business committee and the election of select committee chairs, which would fundamentally change the way the usual channels work.
Following the general election in May 2010, a Backbench Business Committee
was established in June, which is responsible for determining the business of the House of Commons for one day each week.
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
s of the Government and the Opposition. Essentially, this is to obtain co-operation between the two parties, in order to ensure as much business as possible can be dealt with in each parliamentary session.
Negotiations in the "usual channels" take place daily, with key roles being played by unelected civil servants such as the private secretary to the Chief Whip. They determine how the time in each House of Parliament is spent, as well as how select committees should be composed, and who should chair them.
In 2002, the Hansard Society
Hansard Society
The Hansard Society was formed in 1944 to promote parliamentary democracy. Founded and chaired by Commander Stephen King-Hall, the first subscribers were Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee...
published a report entitled 'Opening Up The Usual Channels', which concluded that the Commons would benefit from greater transparency if the system were to be replaced by a formal "business committee" as used in other legislatures. In 2006, The Constitution Unit
The Constitution Unit
The Constitution Unit is a UK based think tank that specialises in constitutional affairs and comparative constitutional studies. Founded in 1995 by Robert Hazell CBE , it is now based within the Department of Political Science at University College London.The Constitution Unit has done research on...
at UCL
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
made similar recommendations.
In 2009, following the Parliamentary expenses scandal
United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
The United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal was a major political scandal triggered by the leak and subsequent publication by the Telegraph Group in 2009 of expense claims made by members of the United Kingdom Parliament over several years...
, a temporary Reform of the House of Commons select committee, the Wright Committee
Wright Committee
The Reform of the House of Commons Committee was a Select Committee of the UK Parliament. It was established in 2009 to improve the procedures and relevance of Parliament...
, was established to consider issues of House of Commons reform. The recommendations in their report included the establishment of a backbench business committee and the election of select committee chairs, which would fundamentally change the way the usual channels work.
Following the general election in May 2010, a Backbench Business Committee
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee of the British House of Commons was created on 15 June 2010 through the adoption of a new standing order. It was created soon after 2010 general election, but had been proposed during the previous Parliament by the Wright Committee on Reform of the House of Commons...
was established in June, which is responsible for determining the business of the House of Commons for one day each week.