A01=Peter G. Richards
Author_Peter G. Richards
backbench influence
British legal controversies
Category=JPQ
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_society-politics
House of Commons
independent MP voting patterns
legislative process
Members of Parliament
political decision making
social policy reform
UK Government
voting behaviour analysis
Product details
- ISBN 9781032782775
- Weight: 430g
- Dimensions: 138 x 216mm
- Publication Date: 01 Apr 2026
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
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Originally published in 1970, this book has a dual purpose. Firstly, it is a study of how Parliament works when the party whips are withdrawn. The author shows how backbenchers can create legislation of great importance; he demonstrates the obstacles, political and procedural to social reform; he relates the votes of MPs to their personal characteristics e.g. age, religion and occupation, and he argues that Parliament achieves a fresh vigour and authority when MPs think and act independently of party policy. Secondly, Parliament and Conscience analyses 6 major controversies in British society in the late 20th Century: the death penalty, homosexuality, abortion, theatre censorship, divorce and Sunday entertainment.
