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You can watch our Director @emilyfdeath give evidence to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee alongside @DrHannahWhite for @instituteforgov and @estrangeirada of @POLISatLeeds live from here: http://www.scottishparliament.tv
Introductory statements: There are several examples of parliamentary procedures being scaled back as a result of #COVID19 restrictions. This could be an opportunity to bring about positive parliamentary reform, and to reflect on how legislators can work for their citizens.
Q: Can you give us examples of where parliaments weren’t prepared and the difficulties they encountered?
@DrHannahWhite: Westminster was not well prepared for the unavailability of their premises. Parliaments need to imagine and prepare for a more varied range of crises.
@DrHannahWhite: Westminster was not well prepared for the unavailability of their premises. Parliaments need to imagine and prepare for a more varied range of crises.
@emilyfdeath: No one was ready for the scale of the challenge. Some legislatures had an advantage when they had already planned for such circumstances, or had developed IT systems in place. Digital and virtual planning should be a big part of emergency preparedness.
@estrangeirada: Flexible procedures in crisis are essential. NZ parliament moved very quickly because they thought of their procedures and how to adapt. Ireland didn’t exactly meet the challenge exactly because of lack of flexibility on how to meet as a parliament.
Q: What strategies have legislatures adopted to ensure their members can still vote?
A: In Westminster, remote voting systems allowed safe, rapid voting, which is essential because MPs not being able to vote reinforces the power of the executive in a time of crisis.
A: In Westminster, remote voting systems allowed safe, rapid voting, which is essential because MPs not being able to vote reinforces the power of the executive in a time of crisis.
On the role of committees during the pandemic:
Committees have adapted more easily and have been able to meet more readily than parliaments, holding governments to accounts by meeting regularly. Digital tools need to be ready to facilitate this and promote scrutiny.
Committees have adapted more easily and have been able to meet more readily than parliaments, holding governments to accounts by meeting regularly. Digital tools need to be ready to facilitate this and promote scrutiny.
Q: How can we ensure that everybody is able to use the new systems in a way that reduces barriers for equal participation?
A: Technological accessibility can sometimes an issue. In Angola, local government buildings can be accessed when internet or electricity are not available.
A: Technological accessibility can sometimes an issue. In Angola, local government buildings can be accessed when internet or electricity are not available.
(cont.)
Greater flexibility has also enabled opportunities for training. However, training isn’t just about IT skills, but also about making digital conversations feel natural.
Greater flexibility has also enabled opportunities for training. However, training isn’t just about IT skills, but also about making digital conversations feel natural.
Q: How do legislatures hold governments to account?
A: It is essential to monitor attacks on democratic institutions. In Westminster, there’s been a small shift in favour of the executive. In the future, we need to ensure that scrutiny is effectively enforced by parliament.
A: It is essential to monitor attacks on democratic institutions. In Westminster, there’s been a small shift in favour of the executive. In the future, we need to ensure that scrutiny is effectively enforced by parliament.
On staff and institutions being able to work as normally as possible:
Covid-safe procedures are essential. It is also crucial to make sure that staff still feel that they are part of a team.
Covid-safe procedures are essential. It is also crucial to make sure that staff still feel that they are part of a team.
Q: How can we allow debates and interventions in virtual meetings?
A: A lot of different systems have been tried, but the lack of eye contact, of spontaneity, are very difficult to overcome. Virtual meetings remain a very different format to in-person parliaments.
A: A lot of different systems have been tried, but the lack of eye contact, of spontaneity, are very difficult to overcome. Virtual meetings remain a very different format to in-person parliaments.
Q: How have parliaments responded to additional demand from constituents?
A: Constituency work is often perceived as more important at this time, but a solution to higher demand could be to increase budget for more equipment. It is also essential to train staff at the same time.
A: Constituency work is often perceived as more important at this time, but a solution to higher demand could be to increase budget for more equipment. It is also essential to train staff at the same time.
