Philip Cowley, political scientist and blogger, gave a fascinating talk challenging the commonplace notion that today's MPs are the most supine in history. Dr Cowley explained why our parliamentarians have never been so rebellious and what it means for the future of British democracy.
Philip Cowley opened by considering how critics from both left and right have complained that parliament is more pliant than it has ever been:
Dr Cowley then went on to compare the parliamentarians of present day with their counterparts in the 1950s and concludes that parliament is today unprecedentedly rebellious:
Dr Cowley rejected the idea that increasing rebellion is the consequence of Tony Blair's announcing his departure and highlighted extensive rebellion in the 2001-2005 parliament:
Finally, he looked the future and considered what, if anything, will change in parliament if Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister: