The shifting landscape of prime ministerial accountability to parliament: an analysis of Liaison Committee scrutiny sessions

Journal article


Bennister, M., Kelso, A. and Larkin, P. 2016. The shifting landscape of prime ministerial accountability to parliament: an analysis of Liaison Committee scrutiny sessions. The British Journal of Politics & International Relations. 18 (3), pp. 740-754. https://doi.org/10.1177/1369148116633438
AuthorsBennister, M., Kelso, A. and Larkin, P.
Abstract

Prime ministerial power is always contingent, based on the utilisation of personal and institutional resources, subject to various formal and informal constraints. Parliament is both a political resource to be utilised, but also a veto-player. In the absence of formal mechanisms setting out the requirements for UK prime ministerial accountability to parliament, a fluid and essentially personalised relationship has developed. Regular prime ministerial appearances before the House of Commons Liaison Committee, begun in 2002, have added to parliament’s scrutiny toolkit. This article considers the accountability of the prime minister to parliament by analysing the emergence and development of the Liaison Committee evidence sessions, and draws on interviews with participants and examination of the session transcripts, in order to assess the value of this scrutiny mechanism within the broader framework of prime ministerial-legislative relations

Year2016
JournalThe British Journal of Politics & International Relations
Journal citation18 (3), pp. 740-754
PublisherBlackwell
ISSN1467-856X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1369148116633438
FunderNuffield Foundation
Publication dates
Print23 Aug 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Oct 2016
Accepted21 Dec 2015
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/87xv3/the-shifting-landscape-of-prime-ministerial-accountability-to-parliament-an-analysis-of-liaison-committee-scrutiny-sessions

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