The United Kingdom Parliament at Westminster is regarded by many as the foundation of representative democracy and the ultimate authority on parliamentary procedure. Its practices are the model for parliaments not only across the Commonwealth, but in the global legislative sphere. After an unprecedented programme of procedural and administrative reform it now faces up to the daunting challenges of the future. It is a future characterised by the consequences of the global financial crisis and the demands and pressures of a major domestic austerity programme to bring debt under control. Its executive is tasked with achieving necessary savings while sustaining the effective working of one of the busiest parliaments in the world. In this course, some of the most senior members of the executive and its administrative machinery are ready to talk to you personally about their work and to respond to your questions about how they take procedural and administrative processes forward in this unparalleled climate of change.
This programme offers a valuable visit to see first-hand both Houses of the historic Palace of Westminster and a unique opportunity to hear from some of their most senior administrators. They will explain how they have dealt with a period of fundamental reorganisation and how they plan to respond to future demands. Rather than being largely presentation based, the programme actively encourages real dialogue between participants and speakers.