Free Parliament Research Articles

The Campaign for a Free Parliament, 1659–60

The clamour for ‘a free parliament’ in the winter of 1659–60, the most widely articulated public demand since the outbreak of civil war, has not received attention proportionate to its significance. Here the contours and chronology of the movement are reconstructed. Its goal was the summoning of an assembly which, through the restoration of parliamentary representation and the emancipation of the electorate from voting restrictions and military interference, would possess the authority to speak for the nation and secure a national settlement. The outcome was that essential instrument in the peaceful return of the monarchy, the Convention. The term ‘a free parliament’ was a slogan, used for a variety of political ends. Yet it was a unifying phrase which allowed the two parties opposed to the republic, the royalists (who had been denied parliamentary representation in 1642) and the presbyterians (who had been forcibly removed from parliament in 1648) to suspend their differences. The movement also connected national politicians of both parties to intense grievances in the regions. Local sentiment was voiced in a cascade of manifestos, published in the names of counties and towns, which illustrate the hold of parliament on public feeling.

The Irish Viceroyalty in the Restoration Period

In 1660 someone transcribed into the ‘Town Book’ of Belfast a copy of ‘Verses presented to General Monck’:Advance, George Monck, and Monck St George shall be,England's restorer to its liberty,Scotland's protector, Ireland's president,Reducing all to a free parliament;And if thou dost intend the other thing,Go on, and all shall cry God save the king.

Extension of the Life of Legislatures

One of the most fundamental of democratic rights is the right to representation in a free parliament. A legislature which is in a position to prolong its own life indefinitely can nullify that right.That is why the United States Constitution lays it down that there must be a general election for the House of Representatives, and for one-third of the Senate, every two years. Nothing except a constitutional amendment can change this; and the process of amendment is so elaborate and difficult, and takes so long, that we can be certain that there will never be any lengthening of the term of either House of Congress unless American public opinion emphatically and overwhelmingly desires it. The same is true of the individual states. If Congress or any state legislature tried to prolong its own life, the “act” would be void, and any citizen could have it annulled by appealing to the courts.In Canada, the Dominion Parliament can prolong its own life, but only “in time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection” and only “if such continuation is not opposed by the votes of more than one-third of the members” of the House of Commons. In other words, one-third plus one of the members of the House of Commons can prevent prolongation even in the midst of war, invasion, or insurrection. Any extension “act” passed contrary to these provisions would be void, and any citizen could have it annulled by appealing to the courts.

"Mother of free Parliaments"

"Mother of free Parliaments"

"Mother of free parliaments"

"Mother of free parliaments"

"Mother of free parliaments."

"Mother of free parliaments."

"The mother of free parliaments"

Journal Article "The mother of free parliaments" Get access Edward Latham Edward Latham 161, Friends' Road, E. Croydon Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Notes and Queries, Volume s9-XI, Issue 279, 2 May 1903, Page 357, https://doi.org/10.1093/nq/s9-XI.279.357c Published: 02 May 1903

"The mother of free parliaments."

"The mother of free parliaments."