Legislation at Westminster: Parliamentary Actors and Influence in the Making of British Law

Meg Russell and Daniel Gover's book "The Legislative Process in the House of Commons and the House of Lords" provides a fascinating account of the political dynamics that shape the legislative process in Britain. It examines the passage of twelve government bills through both the House of Commons and House of Lords, including highly contested changes such as Labour's identity cards scheme and the coalition's welfare reforms. The study draws from more than 100 interviews with legislative insiders and considers the behavior of distinct parliamentary actors, such as the government, opposition, backbenchers, select committees, and pressure groups. The book shows that parliamentary influence is far greater than commonly assumed, asserting itself in various different ways, from visible amendments to more subtle means of changing government behavior. Its findings make an important contribution to understanding British politics and the dynamics of legislative bodies more broadly.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 24 January 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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The Westminster parliament, a prominent political institution, plays a crucial role in approving new laws. However, a common perception holds that Britain's legislative process is heavily influenced by the executive branch and that parliament is relatively weak. This book aims to challenge these misconceptions by presenting the most comprehensive study of its kind in over forty years. Meg Russell and Daniel Gover shed new light on the political dynamics that shape the legislative process, providing a captivating account of the passage of twelve government bills through the House of Commons and House of Lords. These bills encompass highly contested changes such as Labour's identity cards scheme and the coalition's welfare reforms, alongside other relatively uncontroversial measures.

In addition to examining the parliamentary record and amendments, the study draws from over 100 interviews with legislative insiders, offering valuable insights into the behavior and motivations of these actors. The book begins with introductory chapters that provide an overview of the Westminster legislative process. It then delves into the contributions of distinct parliamentary actors, including the government, opposition, backbenchers, select committees, and pressure groups. The authors examine their behavior in the legislative process, their objectives, and the significant influence they exert on policy decisions.

The final chapter reflects on Westminster's overall influence, which is often underestimated. The book asserts parliamentary influence through various means, ranging from visible amendments to more subtle strategies of altering government behavior. Its findings make a substantial contribution to understanding British politics and the dynamics of legislative bodies more broadly. The book's accessibility and relevance will appeal to both specialists and non-experts alike.

\n Weight: 534g\n
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198840510\n \n