Enlightened Parliament

 

Fiat Lux

Daylight Saving might happen this time.

I have been a supporter and a leader of more campaigns than I can remember to let there be light. The arguments are overwhelmingly in favour. Daylight hours do not match our waking hours as neatly as they should. Much daylight is wasted while we sleep in the mornings.

The trial that was carried out in the eighties was wickedly misrepresented by the tabloid press. They irresponsibly reported every accident involving a child before nine o'clock in the morning as a result of the experimental new hours. Of course they left unreported the decrease in accidents in the evening. There was    also some misplaced nationalism from the Scots.

The first campaign group in the Commons for Daylight Saving was chaired by Tony Wright MP in the late eighties. There have been half a dozen attempts since.

It is slowly dawning on me that this is an enlightened parliament. The news that dozens of new Tory MPs will refuse to repeal the Hunting Act reinforces the impression that many of them are seriously progressive. One very bright one has joined the Afghanistan Withdrawal Group. If that is New Toryism, it's welcome.

If this parliament is sensible  enough to keep hunting banned, there are clever enough to give the country more light.

 

 

 Unkindest cut

Tory AM Darran Millar defended a string of Tory cuts in Wales on the Politics programme today- except one.

He said that Tories in the Welsh Assembly are united against the closure of the Newport Passport Office. There is extraordinary unity in Wales that is determined that Wales will not suffer an unfair share of the job cuts.

The campaign being conducted by the local newspaper the South Wales Argus has been energetic, resourceful and passionate. The Secretary of State appears to be behind the campaign. I want to avoid stirring up false hopes but if this campaign fails it will not be because of any shortcomings in the case presented by all parties.

The outrage expressed is genuine against a foolish proposal that would dampage the lives of 250 local families and undermine the local economy. 

 

Fear not

I am trying to avoid joining the mass nervous breakdown of fear about the ink-jet bomber. Apparently he is also the 'shoe bomber' and the 'underpants' bomber'. His record suggests he  is shaping up to be the most incompetent bomber ever. Yet even incompetence can terrify our jittery politicians. Brace yourself for an orgy of fear-mongering.

 

Comments

[Kay Tie]

"His record suggests he is shaping up to be the most incompetent bomber ever."

Or maybe those are just the decoy bombs, and he's really smart.

[Richard T]

Why can't we just leave the clocks to tell the same time all year round? I'd be happier with GMT as it is as near as possible 'natural' time with 12 noon at midday but I'd go along with BST as long as it was year round.

I admit to coming from a selfish perspective since it has always taken the best part of a week for my body clock to settle.

[DG]

Your mature coments about the new parliament are very welcome Paul; it makes a really nice change from name-calling and the cringe-worthy braying we see on BBC Parliament.

[Paul Flynn]

There is an intake of superb talent on the Labour side. They are also some very impressive new Tories and LbDem MPs.