Davids Blog

House of Commons, Wednesday, 7th March

Posted by David on Wednesday, 07 March 2007 20:45:14

Busy day yesterday in Brussels at the launch of Movement for European Reform, followed by a fairly typical Wednesday in the Commons for PMQs.

The Brussels trip was great. We took sixth formers from London schools and listening to their reflections on what they'd seen and heard at the conference on the Eurostar on the way home was the highlight of the day. One group set a test for William Hague and me - and enjoyed humiliating us as we failed to answer some of their toughest questions (in which decade did the Dodo become extinct? Please....)

You can see the film for the detail of what was discussed and what the aim of the conference was. What was refreshing was that we had representatives from 15 different European countries and there was real enthusiasm for a message of flexibility and freedom rather than the current agenda of bringing back the constitution.

I focused on Afghanistan at PMQs: it is very tough what our troops are doing and I want them to know they have cross party support. At the same time, as opposition leader it is right to press the PM on the need for the necesaary equipment and more NATO assistance.

After PMQs I went to see the new HQ for the Conservative party in Milbank. Impressive, modern and for once almost all of the different departments in one place and working together. One of the odd things in this job is the presents you get from political parties in other countries. Someone in our International Department handed me a gold coloured box with a scroll with my name on it - in Mongolian.

Last duty today is to vote on the House of Lords. In my view a modern democracy needs a strong second chamber - and predominantly elected so that it has real authority. I'll go for 80 per cent elected. But this is the House of Commons, it's all free votes - and anything can happen.

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Posted by Mark23 on Wednesday, 07 March 2007 22:08:03

David, what will happen with a majority elected (80%+) house of lords is that legislation will become more at the knees of populism and the more a political leader can sway the emotions of the masses - and if you think this can't happen look at what Blair has done with terrorism and fear in the past few years - the more legislative power they will yield.

The House of Lords made sure that politicians knew that they couldn't pass legislation for mere political reasons - for example creating terror laws which are already covered in our legislature, simply to look tough on the media and to abdicate your own blame.

When you constantly complain about the legislating addiction of this government, why do you overwhelmingly support a majority elected chamber?

What particularly concerns me is that the House of Lords have really saved this country from some very ill thought out, authoritarian legislating that New Labour have tried to pass through for assent.

How does your stance on civil liberties sit with your support for a more political second chamber?

Posted by DaveGould on Wednesday, 07 March 2007 23:30:16

"How does your stance on civil liberties sit with your support for a more political second chamber?"

A more PARTY political second chamber.

Turning a sensible, balanced, wise second chamber into a rubberstamping clone of the first chamber.

Both the authority/legitimacy arguments hold no water. Authority is all about power and nobody expects the House of Commons to give any power back to the House of Lords, even if the latter was elected.

Yes we need a strong second chamber and we have just crippled it.

Posted by PJP40 on Thursday, 08 March 2007 00:18:44

I can not agree more with the second comment.

It was my group that set the quiz btw..... Was good fun. Some others they both struggled with:

Which bird did Noah release from the Ark? Which Celestial body is closest to the earth?

 

Comment edited by PJP40 on Thursday, 08 March 2007 00:22:38

Posted by GavinAyling on Thursday, 08 March 2007 11:45:43

House of Lords reform is long overdue. Let us hope that this reform results in a substantially different second house.

Perhaps proportional representation will be used in the second, revising house...

But what will the second house's powers be? Will it be able to propose legislation? Will it be able to create Statutory Instruments? Will it be a challenge, constitutionally, to the legitimacy of the House of Commons?

Interesting times lie ahead.

Posted by DaveGould on Thursday, 08 March 2007 15:48:01

"House of Lords reform is long overdue."

Why is it?

"Let us hope that this reform results in a substantially different second house."

What's wrong with the second house as it is now?

"Perhaps proportional representation will be used in the second, revising house..."

Would be vastly better than FPTP, but much much worse than what it is now.

"But what will the second house's powers be?"

Exactly the same insignificant powers it has now.

Posted by canvas on Saturday, 10 March 2007 11:43:27

I think that gold coloured box with the Mongolian scroll sounds very interesting! Perhaps it should go into the office of Boris Johnson - next to the old cake?? :)