Masculating MPs

Curbing PM Power

176 British soldiers killed in an avoidable war based on a Prime Minister’s mistake or worse. Ten of thousands of Britons died prematurely because a British Prime Minister suppressed the truth on tobacco’s dangers in 1957.

Why should Prime Ministers have the final word on inquiries into their own conduct? Everyone agrees that we should have an inquiry into the Iraq War. We are unlikely to have one for several years when that last soldier leaves. That the Government’s delaying gag. In the meantime memories fade, witnesses die, grief and anger subsides.

The Public Administration Select Committee (chair Tony Wright MP) called today for parliament to have the power to set up our own major enquiries. The Iraq war is our main target. PASC says that Parliament should not have to wait for the Government to set up an inquiry-particularly where Ministers are reluctant to do so. We suggest instead a mechanism for Parliament to establish its own ‘Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry’.

Andrew Pierce of the Times said this morning that Cameron would smother this proposal. As a likely future Prime Minister, Cameron will resist any curb on the PM’s elective dictatorship. He may be right. The best time to clip the power of the executive is when oppositions are not anticipating victory.

In the United States Congress and Senate have full powers to initiate inquiries. Already there it is acknowledged that the ‘weapons of mass destruction myth’ was a lie invented to lubricate war mongering. More than 4,000 American troops have lost their lives.

This parliament has the most rebellious backbench MPs ever. They forced compromises on the compensation on the 10p tax, the 42 days detention and on the new planning laws. If the opposition had the balls to stand up for parliament against the executive, PASC’s proposal could be passed with 40 labour MPs in support.

In a two-way radio with Andrew Pierce this morning, I agreed that there will be horse-trading and the self-interest of the next PM will be a factor. But giving immunity to Prime Ministers is not what the public wants.  Nor do they understand why their elected representatives have been emasculated by the tyranny of the party whips.

This is not just an historic laying of blame. We must understand how we were sucked into Bush’s war in Iraq to avoid the real peril of being conned into an invasion of Iran.

This is no way to run a democracy.

Harm reduction?

Good news on drugs policy. For many years I have slaved away to persuade the Council of Europe (COE) to back a drugs policy based on evidence not political opportunism and cowardice.

In September last, the COE backed my report. The next progress was a meeting of the Council of Minister this week. The news is encouraging. Although their view is couched in obscure Euro-ese, they have welcomed my policy of shifting the emphasis of drug policy. Now, in most of the 48 COE countries cash is wasted on criminal justice solutions of arrest and jails. Far better value is gained from the health solutions of needle exchanges, substitution treatment and injecting rooms.

The Senlis Council and the World Red Cross/ Red Crescent movement have been the initiators and tireless supporters of the policy. It has been a long haul and I will allow myself some mild elation. Also encouraging is that injecting rooms were promoted today in WAG conference at Swansea.

Dare we believe that the tide is turning in the direction of harm reduction?