Lords debate Constitution Committee report
5 July 2010
The House of Lords debated the Constitution Committee’s report on The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government on Tuesday 6 July.
- Video and Audio: Debate on The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government Report (approx 5pm)
- Lords Hansard: Debate on Constitution Committee Report
- Report: The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government
- Archive Press Notice: The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government
The report, published in January, stated that power within the Cabinet had become increasingly centred around the Prime Minister and recommend that the methods of holding the Government to account should be updated to reflect that change. They argued that the UK constitution was not set up to reflect the increasingly presidential style of Government and that:
"Structures of accountability should mirror structures of power, and where structures of power have changed, the structures of accountability should be adjusted accordingly ... Parliament should ensure that its accountability mechanisms adapt to the changing nature of policy formation and delivery."
The debate, opened by former Constitution Committee Chairman Lord Goodlad, featured contributions from a range of Peers with expertise on constitutional issues. Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Government Spokesman for the Cabinet Office responded for the Government.
Further information
Members of the public and journalists are able to attend debates.