Proceeding contribution from Oliver Heald (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 4 November 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

I agree with the Minister that there are elements of separated powers in Britain, because each of the institutions has fought for its rights. The judges fought for theirs, Parliament fought for its right over the King, and so on. However, the compromise was that we had to have representatives of all the main interests right at the heart of power, at the Cabinet table, because the Executive are not separate from our Parliament. The Government fell into error by breaking the role of the Lord Chancellor, and that is why we have to have a massive concordat and a great big Bill to deal with this. I still worry that Ministers do not understand that we do not have a true separation of powers, as they do in America; that is not our system.

Secondary information

Type: Proceeding contribution
Reference: 498 c907
Session: 2008-09
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Devolved matters Audit Costs Court of Appeal Legal profession Human rights Judiciary Expenditure Legislative competence Judicial Appointments Commission for England and Wales Medical examinations Northern Ireland Pay Public appointments National Assembly for Wales Public expenditure Ministers Limitation of actions National Audit Office Scotland Tribunals Supreme Court Resignations Auditor General for Wales Lord Justices of Appeal
Legislation: Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill 2008-09 to 2009-10
Link: View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk

Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

Secondary information

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