ABSTRACT
Parliament is the traditional guardian of our liberties. This chapter discusses the Reform of Parliament itself, the Reform of Local Government and legislation on the reports of several Royal Commissions. The role of Parliament is very different from what it once was. Formerly its main function was to stop the Executive from interfering too much with the life of its subjects. Individual Members of Parliament habitually urge the Executive to intervene more, to do more and to spend more. The willingness of a Member to react against excessive infringements of liberty is clearly bound up with the Party system. Some of the same forces which beat upon each Member and circumscribe his sphere of independent action also gravely affect the efficiency of the Government machine as a whole. The case for Parliamentary reform is complicated by the need to recognize that atmosphere is more important than Standing Orders.
