The central institution of democracy, parliaments are uniquely situated to adapt society’s laws to its changing needs. Nevertheless, their work can seem opaque to citizens and it is not uncommon for them to have low opinions of MPs and parliament itself. As such, it is important for parliaments to promote access to their work and provide venues where citizens can share their views.
Parliaments vary in their exact methods of lawmaking but all aim to be representative of the people by providing a forum for discussion and debate and acting as a check on executive power. MPs are usually elected from particular constituencies, which makes them more likely to be responsive to local issues and concerns. Similarly, most parliamentary systems allow citizens to submit demands for consideration by a committee or directly to the House of Commons as a petition.
Moreover, the very fact that the most significant government policy announcements must be made in Parliament, means that MPs can hold ministers to account by asking questions of them about specific proposals. In addition, a select committee may be appointed to conduct an in-depth investigation of a particular policy area, questioning government ministers and producing reports. The ultimate sanction that a parliament can apply to the government is through a vote of no confidence in the entire administration, which leads to either a resignation from office or a general election.
In addition, many parliaments run outreach programmes to encourage citizens to learn more about the institution. This may involve organising open days, giving school children the chance to tour the building(s) and attend debates, running advice surgeries for constituents to meet their representatives, or providing a variety of other informational materials that can be accessed online.
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