PARLIAMENT’S WATCHDOGS: INDEPENDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF FIVE CONSTITUTIONAL REGULATORS

Indeed, commentary on the role of these watchdogs has, in the main, been led by politicians and the media: MPs have criticised IPSA, the Electoral Commission and the EHRC,10 while the media lament the weaknesses of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACoBA), the House of Lords Appointments Commission (HoLAC), and the regulation of public appointments.11 1.11 A full analysis of these U. [...] By statute, the committee includes the Secretary of State responsible for elections, the Minister for local government, the chair of the select committee responsible for scrutinising elections (in 2022, Clive Betts MP, chair of the DLUHC Committee), and five other backbench MPs appointed by the Speaker.82 The power to appoint five members effectively gives the Speaker control of the party balance. [...] By statute, the Speaker’s Committee comprises the Leader of the House, the chair of the Standards Committee, and five other MPs appointed by the House of Commons. [...] Indeed, in the case of SCEC, the government stated during the passage of PPERA, ‘there will be no requirement on the Speaker to ensure that the membership of the Committee as a whole reflects the balance of the parties in the House’.103 3.21 The chief executive of IPSA is an Accounting Officer,104 answerable to the Speaker’s Committee for the proper expenditure of public money. [...] 34 3.25 The PCS is appointed by resolution of the House of Commons on the recommendation of the House of Commons Commission, following an open competition.118 The term of appointment is for five years, which may not be renewed.119 The post-holder may, likewise, be dismissed following a resolution of the House; though this may only be moved by a Member of the House of Commons Commission, after the.