Independent MPs asks to change the rules of the committee of Parliament

Two independent MPs are calling for changes on seats on parliamentary committees, saying that the current system is “undemocratic”.

Shockat Adam and Iqbal Mohammed, who were elected as independent MPs in 2024, want to sit on select committees, who can interrogate ministers; Or bill committees, which examine the law in detail.

Speaking to BBC News, Mohammed said that there was a similar opportunity to contribute to the call and be a “good MP”.

His comments heard a process committee earlier this week, where MPs heard of their experiences as independent members.

During the hearing, both Adam and Mohammed said that the committee’s lack of membership opportunities affected their ability to fully represent the components.

Adam, who represents the Leester South, said it felt as if independent MPs were “not able to contribute with their expertise” in the committees.

“We are still elected as any other person of any political party, we have the same mandate.

“This is an area we remember and I think my constituents remember,” he said.

Speaking to BBC News after the hearing, Mohammed, who represents Davesbury and Batley in West Yorkshire, said that his desire to sit in a selection committee was about equal opportunity.

“It is a good citizen, an opportunity to contribute just like a good MP and other MPs.

“It comes as a little undemocratic, but the objective is not the same or other people have to be replaced or kicking out; it is on the same occasion to contribute to our country’s rule,” he said.

Under the current parliamentary rules, independent MPs are not automatically entitled to select or membership of bill committees.

For select committees, political parties control the process and allocate seats in proportion to the size of parliamentary intake of each party.

This means that the Labor Party gets the largest part of the select committee seats, then Conservatives, followed by Liberal Democrat and so on.

However, parties are voluntarily capable of leaving a seat for an independent MP or an MP from a separate party, such as the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas was given a place in the Environment Audit Committee from 2015 to 2024.

All MPs can ask questions in the Commons Chamber and participate in the debate in and in Westminster Hall, as well as Submission of written questions to ministers,

Mohammed said that his background in science and engineering was something that he could bring to a selected or bill committee.

He has also mentioned the “broad width of experience”, independent MPs along with their alliance as well as their interest in foreign affairs -many people won their seats on Pro -Gaja platforms.

“We are at a point in history where the public has lost confidence in politics and politicians – and I am involving myself in that group because I am now part of that elected group. And anything we can renovate and impartiality, fairness, transparency, balance of that belief … I think it’s only a good thing,” he said.

Five independent – Adam, Mohammed and former labor leader Jeremy Corbin – wrote to the speaker in September that they were forming a “independent coalition” in Parliament.

It is known as a technical group, differs from a political party because members are bound by shared interests and ideology rather than an official organization.

This inspired the Procedure Committee to initiate inquiry in the event of parliamentary groups and independent MPs as a whole.

A spokesperson of the Procedure Committee said: “The Procedure Committee has investigated the status of independent MPs in the House Processes.

“The investigation is still on and the committee will report back with its proposals in the appointed time.”