Walter Bagehot: “Subject to two considerable defects I think Parliament passes laws as…”

On the record

Subject to two considerable defects I think Parliament passes laws as the nation wishes to have them passed.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

He acknowledges that while Parliament generally reflects the nation's wishes, it still has significant shortcomings.

More from Walter Bagehot

The power of free interchange of ideas being wanting, the ideas themselves were barren.

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

And again, in political matters, how quickly a leading statesman can change the tone of the community!

The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.

Other voices in this conversation

Walter Bagehot: “Subject to two considerable defects I think Parliament passes laws as the nation wishes to have them passed.”