The government published a Bill (following consultation) designed to provide for a comprehensive statutory framework for inquiries set by Ministers to look into matters of public concern.
Source: Inquiries Bill [HL], Department for Constitutional Affairs, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill (pdf) | Explanatory notes (pdf) | Consultation document | DCA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Nov
The government published proposals for legislation for the civil service, designed to provide a statutory basis to underpin the role, governance and values of the civil service.
Source: A Draft Civil Service Bill: Consultation document, Cm 6373, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2004-Nov
A think-tank paper said that the cult of the gifted generalist in the senior civil service was hampering public service reform. Government departments should be led by chief executives appointed directly by ministers to ensure that their policies were effectively implemented.
Source: Ed Straw, The Dead Generalist: Reforming the civil service and public services, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report (pdf) | Demos press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
A survey of public attitudes found widespread lack of trust in politicians and many senior public-office holders, and that public expectations of the conduct of people in public office remained high.
Source: Bruce Hayward, Ed Mortimer and Tim Brunwin, Survey of Public Attitudes towards Conduct in Public Life, Committee on Standards in Public Life (0800 692 1516)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | CSPL press release
Date: 2004-Sep
A survey found that nearly two-thirds of respondents agreed that the existing system of government needed quite a lot or a great deal of improvement; and over half believed that Britain was becoming less democratic . Almost every person interviewed (99 per cent) wanted one or more democratic reforms, such as a substantially elected House of Lords, proportional representation for elections to Westminster, or limits on how much people could donate to political parties.
Source: Helen Margetts, Nick Sparrow, Stuart Weir and Mark Ross, The State of British Democracy 2004, Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (01904 625744)
Links: Findings (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | JRRT press release (Word file)
Date: 2004-Jul
A new book considered the question of whether there was a 'crisis of democracy', despite measures of constitutional reform - characterised by low turnout at elections, cynicism about politics and politicians, and disengagement among young people. It concluded that talk of a crisis was premature.
Source: Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd, Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy?, Constitution Unit/University of London, available from Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Summary (Word file)
Date: 2004-Jun
A report examined the case for a code on non-broadcast political advertising. It concluded that a statutory code was unsustainable. But it recommended that political advertisers abide by the fundamental principle in the existing advertising code - that adverts should be prepared with 'a sense of responsibility to consumers and society'.
Source: Political Advertising, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Electoral Commission press release
Date: 2004-Jun
A report explained the five different electoral systems in use in the United Kingdom, discussed their strengths and weaknesses, and described the implications for any change in the voting system at Westminster.
Source: Independent Commission on Proportional Representation, Changed Voting Changed Politics: Lessons of Britain's experience of PR since 1997, Constitution Unit/University of London (020 7679 4979)
Links: Report (pdf) | Constitution Unit press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Mar
A report highlighted how government departments could identify key policy areas which would benefit from faith communities experience, and said that faith communities should be able to work more closely with the government to build strong active communities and foster community development and civil renewal.
Source: Working Together: Co-operation between Government and Faith Communities, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Report (pdf) | Home Office press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Mar
The government published a revised code of practice on official consultations, which would come into effect from April 2004. The code and the criteria within it would apply to all public consultations by government departments and agencies. Non-departmental public bodies and local authorities would also be encouraged to follow it. The new code contained a stronger commitment to providing feedback to those consulted.
Source: Code of Practice on Consultation, Regulatory Impact Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7276 2194)
Links: Code (pdf) | Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2004-Jan