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06/02/2006
Cameron calls for curb on PM's powers
Conservative leader David Cameron has called for curbs on the Prime Minister's powers, as he announced the establishment of the party's Democracy Task Force.
Mr Cameron said that he wanted the task force, which will be headed by former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, to examine the way the Royal Prerogative is used by ministers to declare war, sign international treaties and make public appointments.
The Conservative leader said that MPs should be consulted on such decisions first, arguing that giving Parliament a greater role in the exercise of these powers would be "an important and tangible way of making government more accountable".
Announcing the task force, Mr Cameron said: "One of the factors causing disillusionment with politics is the decline in the status and power of Parliament. Restoring trust in politics means restoring trust in Parliament - and one way to do that is to enhance the role of Parliament in scrutinising the government's decisions.
"In an important number of areas, there's no formal mechanism for consulting the nation's elected representatives, while in other areas, the Prime Minister is able to do what he wants without consulting Parliament at all."
The task force will examine and consider an enhanced role for Parliament in four main areas, including: committing troops overseas and making and declaring war; making and ratifying international treaties; scrutinising and approving major public appointments; and approving major changes to the structure and organisation of government.
The task force will also consider changes to the process for recalling Parliament, a prerogative power that currently rests with the Speaker, but can be exercised only on the initiative of ministers.
However, the task force will not consider the personal prerogative powers of the Monarch, such as the power to dissolve Parliament and appoint a Prime Minister.
(KMcA)
Mr Cameron said that he wanted the task force, which will be headed by former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, to examine the way the Royal Prerogative is used by ministers to declare war, sign international treaties and make public appointments.
The Conservative leader said that MPs should be consulted on such decisions first, arguing that giving Parliament a greater role in the exercise of these powers would be "an important and tangible way of making government more accountable".
Announcing the task force, Mr Cameron said: "One of the factors causing disillusionment with politics is the decline in the status and power of Parliament. Restoring trust in politics means restoring trust in Parliament - and one way to do that is to enhance the role of Parliament in scrutinising the government's decisions.
"In an important number of areas, there's no formal mechanism for consulting the nation's elected representatives, while in other areas, the Prime Minister is able to do what he wants without consulting Parliament at all."
The task force will examine and consider an enhanced role for Parliament in four main areas, including: committing troops overseas and making and declaring war; making and ratifying international treaties; scrutinising and approving major public appointments; and approving major changes to the structure and organisation of government.
The task force will also consider changes to the process for recalling Parliament, a prerogative power that currently rests with the Speaker, but can be exercised only on the initiative of ministers.
However, the task force will not consider the personal prerogative powers of the Monarch, such as the power to dissolve Parliament and appoint a Prime Minister.
(KMcA)
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