UK loses democracy

[Notch7]

This government plans to limit Parliamentary scrutiny of Government Bills and Legislation to only 50 MP's starting imminently.

As I understand it there will be NO video participation by excluded MP's.

We have a government that is desperate to avoid scrutiny by the press and by the opposition.

Edited to include link and quote:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52848605

"because opposition parties were annoyed by the way the government forced through the ending of the virtual parliament."

"but the word is that the government is insisting that voting must be restricted to those physically present"

and on the parliament.uk site
https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2020/may/speaker-agrees-to-recall-of-parliament/

 

[Mottie]

How come you know about it?

 

[motorbiking]

Its all over the news @Mottie..

oh no... wait.. no it isn't.

 

[Deleted member 18243]

Up the revolution!

 

[ajohn]

Perhaps it's a comment some one has seen about the select committee and others. I'd be inclined to feel that 50 is higher than the number of MP's that are usually on it. Boris was grilled by them recently and the whole thing was broadcast. They complained that Boris hadn't visited them for some time and that they wanted to see him more often.

The MP's are supposed to ask questions. Bit of a problem. Some thought I'm on TV so switched to barrack room style to such an extent that the question if any wasn't apparent. One questioned was fashioned to obtain the answer a bright young Labour man wanted. When he pointed that out that he got it Boris and others laughed. Seemed he hadn't got it to me. When Starmer had his question he looked vaguely amused by the proceeding but did just ask a question. My feeling is that the chairman should have made them stick to questions. A few strayed well away from that.

Hunt is running yet another committee - cv19 related. They often form them. Then comes enquiries.

I've no idea how they decide on numbers in them but from what I have seen 50 seems well over what they actually use. I've always wondered if being in any of these increases their pay packet in some way.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Perhaps it's a comment some one has seen about the select committee and others.

It's relevant to parliamentary attendance.

"The Government has requested that the House be recalled for an earlier sitting on Tuesday 2 June 2020, to sit from 11.30am. The main purpose of the Government’s proposed recall is to bring forward a motion so that the House can take a decision on the form divisions should take - now that the temporary Standing Orders on hybrid proceedings have lapsed.
...
the limit of around 50 Members present in the Chamber must not be exceeded."
https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2020/may/speaker-agrees-to-recall-of-parliament/​

 

[ajohn]

There is a "bit" about what is going on

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52834369

Rees-Mogg seems to have something to do with it. Not a man I would like to see in control of anything.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52606982

 

[Notch7]

Its all over the news @Mottie..

oh no... wait.. no it isn't.

you are right its not in the Telegraph or any right wing rag....I cant think why

 

[Notch7]

How come you know about it?

It was on the BBC site and on the parliament.uk site

 

[Mottie]

It’s just to do with social distancing. No conspiracy here, just another non-story from Notcho the Tory hater. Move on.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

It’s just to do with social distancing. No conspiracy here, just another non-story from Notcho the Tory hater. Move on.

Then why not continue with the virtual and hybrid arrangement that has been used successfully so far?

 

[Mottie]

Then why not continue with the virtual and hybrid arrangement that has been used successfully so far?

Because mistakes can be made maybe?

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Because mistakes can be made maybe?

Mistakes cannot be made when asking questions and scrutinising legislation. That was what the hybrid system allowed, not just electronic voting.

Also, how on earth would MPs who are likely to make a mistake fair as an MEP, or as a Scottish MP? I suppose they could always plead to their constituents, "sorry guv' I made a mistake on voting".

 

[Mottie]

Mistakes cannot be made when asking questions and scrutinising legislation. That was what the hybrid system allowed, not just electronic voting.

Also, how on earth would MPs who are likely to make a mistake fair as an MEP, or as a Scottish MP? I suppose they could always plead to their constituents, "sorry guv' I made a mistake on voting".

Of course they could Himmy.

 

[ellal]

The fact remains that if voting in person returns but only 50 MP's are allowed into the chamber, then who chooses who can attend or not?