New Government & Parliament so far - your view?
Posted by Jo Swinson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, at 17:29, Thu 22 July 2010:
We're now ten weeks into the new Parliament, and a new coalition government. Before Parliament rises next week for the summer recess I thought it would be good to ask for your views on what has happened so far.
There are more than 200 new MPs, thankfully many of whom seem reform-minded! Already we have seen elections to Select Committees, removing a power of patronage from the whips and requiring MPs to persuade MPs of all parties of their suitability for these positions. There is a new backbench business committee, again to remove power from the government to set all the topics that the Commons debates. And of course we have a very different type of government, with a coalition between the Lib Dems and Conservatives implementing an agreed programme mixing elements of both manifestos.
Do let me know your thoughts!
Best wishes,
Jo Swinson MP
0141 762 2209
swinsonj@parliament.uk
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Posted by William Hatch, 20:21, Thu 22 July 2010: (Is this post abusive?) #
Jo As a committed Labour supporter you would probably expect my comments,but I am seriously trying to be objective.
Honestly I believe that what I am witnessing is the acquiring of power at the expense of principal,particularly when I see a person like Vince Cable squirming in his seat and biting his tongue as he watches his party sell their souls and betray their members, in for example their turnaround on vat which will effect the poorest in society including pensioners and low income famlies
Then we have Nick Clegg at Question time on the supposed illegality of the Iraq war and the response from David Cameron and the tory partners who voted in favour,but cheering Nick Clegg to the rafters at the same time Is there no integrity left?
And the Prime Minister demoting Britain to a supporting role in the Second World War and calling us a junior partner What an insult Is this the same leader of the Party who accused Tony Blair of being George Bush's poodle?
In Scotland we had a new Secretary of State for 10 days [Danny Ferguson] who during the election supported the abolition of the post and we now have Michael Moore 'Who's next?' They wont even consider David Mundell as he is the only tory left in Scotland
I have also noticed that on at least 4 occasions on political programmes the refusal or unavailabilty of the coalition MP's to appear to defend their policies and bringing out David Mundell who has no relevance in Scotland to defend coalition policies This is treating the electorate with contempt
I have not even mentioned Michael Gove yet.
Seriously Jo if what has happened up till now is an example of coalition Government you are seriously deluding yourself that in the forthcoming Holyrood Elections you will not suffer a major defeat, as if I was a Lib Dem voter or tory I would feel utterly betrayed.
Unfortunately you are your partners have lodged yourselves in power for 5 years with little chance of your removal on a United Kingdom basis What kind of arrogance is this? that you can deliberately build in a majority Also the referendum on voting reform which yur partners in the Tory will actively campaign against What a mess.
I never thought that I wuld agree with the tory's on anything but I now more than ever agree with them on first past the post rather than this present muddle which surely cannot last much longer I'm afraid the electorate were guilty of sleep walking into this situation on the basis of the promises made but which were tossed out when gaining power for powers sake and personal ego.
Biily Hatch
Posted by david mccance, 20:28, Thu 22 July 2010: (Is this post abusive?) #
the last time i heard from you guys was when you wanted me to lend you my vote in order to keep out the tories, little did i know,but in answer to your quiestion i m all for reform if it s in the peoples interest but i don t think we will get that kind of reform from you guys.