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Random Thoughts for 2nd February 2013
No comments on Random Thoughts for 2nd February 2013This is the latest in my series of Random Thoughts posts with links, things found on the web and other stuff that has occurred to me between 28th January 2013 and 2nd February 2013. This is largely catching up on the political news in January. David Laws announced as chair of manifesto working group I don’t have as much problem with Laws in this role as I know some will have — However, it does…
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Speaker Bercow backs Select Committee amendments proposal
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the polite parliamentary row between two Liberal Democrat MPs, Sir Alan Beith and David Heath, over proposals to give select committees the power to table amendments to legislation in their own name. This suggestion, which would strengthen the powers of backbenchers, was supported by Sir Alan but opposed, on behalf of the Government, by David Heath. At that time Government opposition was strong enough to stop the…
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Beith versus Heath: A fight sexier than that over Twitter?
Or, while the Commons decides it can use iPads, nobody notices the Government blocking strengthened powers for Select Committees. Unusually a Parliamentary debate on House of Commons procedures got a high level of interest and press coverage last week. This was of course because MPs were debating whether or not they should be allowed to use Twitter, or more accurately “hand-held electronic devices”, in the chamber. I followed the debate via BBC Parliament and it…
