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VIEWPOINT
FOR 28 MAY 2009
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR
It has been another
very exciting week starting with my shock discovery that there were
short odds on my becoming the next Speaker, followed by further
revelations about MPs’ expenses and then the gradual realisation that
the expenses crisis may lead to real efforts to improve the ability of
the House of Commons to hold the Government of the day more effectively
to account.
Even
to be suggested as the next Speaker is an amazing compliment for any
back bench MP but it is not a post that I would seek.
I believe my
duties on the back benches, the Health Select Committee and for local
people are too important and would all be lost by becoming the Speaker.
I shall be backing Frank Field, Labour MP for
Birkenhead
, as he has
shown himself to be a thinking rebel and a thorn in the side of the
Government over several issues.
He also has ideas for reforming the
House to make it more effective.
He would be a strong and independent
Speaker.
________
The best result of
everyone’s anger about the alleged abuses of MPs’ allowances is the
realisation that the way the House of Commons works has to be
changed.
-
Although party whips are essential I think their powers must be reduced
.. ..
for instance, membership of Select Committees - at present decided by
whips and rubber stamped by the House - should be decided by the House
itself.
-
There should be many more ‘free’ votes (votes without a
whip) .. ..
and, if the Government lost such a vote, it would not be a defeat
for them but a demonstration of reacting to the wishes of Parliament
representing the people.
-
If there were more ‘free’ votes then the
point of debate, to make people change their minds, would be restored.
There would be more reason for debate.
-
And if the length of all speeches,
including those by front benchers, was limited, more MPs would have the
opportunity to contribute.
-
Scrutiny of Bills in committee and on the
floor of the House should be increased so that no longer could large
parts of Bills be passed without any debate.
-
What is even more galling
is that at present amendments to a Bill from the Government that are not
debated because of lack of time are automatically passed while
opposition amendments not debated automatically fall. How unfair is
that?
It will certainly be exciting to see if changes really do happen
and if the present Government grasps the opportunity of re-connecting
with people as a vital election ploy or if the opposition parties will
make all the running.
________
I enjoyed a visit to the House of Commons last
week by students from
Baxter College
and
Stourport High School & Sixth Form Centre.
One of the Commons
doorkeepers kindly came in his own time to
take them on an informal tour as the official tours were fully booked.
Then a member of the Education Department staff gave them a stimulating
quiz. I was impressed with their interest, participation and knowledge
especially as I got the answer to one of the quiz questions wrong!
R.T.
© Independent
Kidderminster Hospital & Health Concern 1995-2009
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