ckn Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Is there any wonder why we're all so narked with our glorious MPs when this is the state of our Commons on a non-Brexit day? You can ignore the content of the speech for the purposes of this, just look at how empty it is when the main TV channels aren't covering anything. "When in deadly danger, when beset by doubt; run in little circles, wave your arms and shout" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Possibly because its only the main players in a piece of legislation that are there to spend a decent amount of time debate the point. I've found these sessions more informative than the bear pit of a full house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckn Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 1 minute ago, JohnM said: Possibly because its only the main players in a piece of legislation that are there to spend a decent amount of time debate the point. I've found these sessions more informative than the bear pit of a full house. True, but then it’s wrecked by whipped votes on MPs who only know what the whipping instruction tells them. "When in deadly danger, when beset by doubt; run in little circles, wave your arms and shout" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidM Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I caught a little bit of the debate on prostrate cancer yesterday I think it was and there was three there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff9of13 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 23 minutes ago, ckn said: True, but then it’s wrecked by whipped votes on MPs who only know what the whipping instruction tells them. Perhaps, like the rest of us mere mortals MPs should use the secret ballot? "it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Browny Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 12 hours ago, Griff9of13 said: Perhaps, like the rest of us mere mortals MPs should use the secret ballot? Hang on, careful what you wish for. It is pretty important to be able to hold MPs account for what they have and haven't supported. Let's not give them impunity. I can confirm 30+ less sales for Scotland vs Italy at Workington, after this afternoons test purchase for the Tonga match, £7.50 is extremely reasonable, however a £2.50 'delivery' fee for a walk in purchase is beyond taking the mickey, good luck with that, it's cheaper on the telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedan Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 Just because they aren't in the chamber doesn't mean they aren't working. The chamber is just the most (only) visible part of the process. They'll be on select committees and/or doing constituency work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff9of13 Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Just Browny said: Hang on, careful what you wish for. It is pretty important to be able to hold MPs account for what they have and haven't supported. Let's not give them impunity. You are of course right. However it's not much of a democracy where people are openly be bullied into voting a particular way is it? Didn't Thatcher enforce the unions to adopt the secret ballot for that very reason? "it is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Browny Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 31 minutes ago, Griff9of13 said: You are of course right. However it's not much of a democracy where people are openly be bullied into voting a particular way is it? Didn't Thatcher enforce the unions to adopt the secret ballot for that very reason? I don't need convincing on our democracy. But at a local level, where an MP doesn't have the cover of saying 'well that's what I was told to do', it is very powerful for people to point out that he/she voted for tuition fees / Brexit / the Poll tax, and could they explain that decision. I can confirm 30+ less sales for Scotland vs Italy at Workington, after this afternoons test purchase for the Tonga match, £7.50 is extremely reasonable, however a £2.50 'delivery' fee for a walk in purchase is beyond taking the mickey, good luck with that, it's cheaper on the telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckn Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Dunedan said: Just because they aren't in the chamber doesn't mean they aren't working. The chamber is just the most (only) visible part of the process. They'll be on select committees and/or doing constituency work. Constituency work is why they routinely book Friday off as Commons sitting days. Also, most MPs aren't on Committees, and if they are they're rarely sitting that often that the Commons is that empty. The Commons rules are that you can't take part in a debate on a given day unless you've been there except for toilet breaks and official stops to daily practice, this is to stop people just coming in, spouting waffle and then not having the common courtesy to hear others. Maybe work with something around that on their eligibility to vote on a bill. "When in deadly danger, when beset by doubt; run in little circles, wave your arms and shout" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrek Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Off on a "democratic access tour" of Parliament next week, will they let me in wearing my Nirvana themed Remain t-shirt I wonder.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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