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The widening of the electorate was a challenge for a country that celebrated the antiquity and strength of its parliamentary tradition. Democracy produced some stresses and strains as governments determined to reshape the state sometimes found themselves frustrated by the formalities and delays of parliamentary procedure. Political parties fighting elections on a national basis needed to exert stronger discipline over their MPs, a process that could lead to disillusionment and disengagement among the electorate. Parliament itself could seem remote to many electors, its reputation tarnished by a series of scandals. Yet in some ways parliament has become more effective, providing more detailed scrutiny of government policies and decisions than ever before.