5 Scrutiny of political and constitutional
reform in the next Parliament
63. This Parliament has seen significant changes
to the UK's constitution, not least by fixing the term of the
Parliament—thereby removing the Prime Minister's authority
to call elections at a time of their choosing—and bringing
forward plans for devolution to various parts of the UK. It is
likely further changes to the UK's constitution—particularly
in terms of further devolution to Scotland and Wales—will
be taken forward in the next Parliament.
64. The creation of the Political and Constitutional
Reform Committee has improved the coherence and comprehensiveness
of the House's scrutiny of political and constitutional matters.
There is no doubt that the creation of this Committee has brought
an additional parliamentary focus to a substantial part of the
Government's programme.
65. This Committee was established to consider
political and constitutional reform for the lifetime of the present
Parliament. The establishment, or re-establishment, of a committee
with an express remit to examine such issues in the 2015 Parliament
will depend on the will of the House which is to be elected on
7 May. Should the next Government plan to take forward constitutional
reform, we strongly recommend that a select committee be established
to examine the Government's proposals, to keep the progress of
any political and constitutional reform under regular review,
and to continue the work this Committee has undertaken. If such
a committee is not established, we recommend that our work on
political and constitutional reform, and the continuing debate
on the UK's constitution, be taken up by the select committee
with a remit to examine the work of the Government department
with responsibility for constitutional policy.
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