Moonbat MP

'Luddite'  was the word used by Prof Nutt about the decision to sack him. This is hardly fair. After all the Luddites were ignorant and they had not been elected to run the country. Unlike our Government and Opposition spokespeople they had an excuse.

Science has never had its rightful place in parliament. A fine example was quoted by Ben Goldacre today in the Guardian. It was a comment by Bosworth MP David Tredinnick, He recently said,"In 2001, I raised in the house the influence of the moon, on the basis of the evidence then that at certain phases of the moon there are more accidents. Surgeons will not operate because blood clotting is not effective and the police have to put more people on the street."

Any attempts to challenge Tredinnick's ideas are based, he explains, on "superstition, ignorance and prejudice" by scientists who are "deeply prejudiced, and racially prejudiced, too, which is troubling."

He memorably suggested using alternative medicine to end the foot and mouth epidemic. His fellow Tories cast their eyes to heaven when he offers his 'medicine'. This week he asked me to sign an EDM. I refused because it is foolish and politically inept. Undeterred he raised his crusade on Thursday at Business Questions.

The area confined to use by MPs and their guests in the Commons Terrace cafeteria has recently been reduced. It was often underused while non-MPs were crowded into an adjacent area. Sensibly the space allocated to MPs has been reduced to benefit non-members. MPs grabbing more living space on top of the expenses scandal would not be welcomed by our voters.

Nor will his dingbat ideas on conducting surgical operations on the phases of the moon. I am falling into the first stages of despair on this irrational anti-scientific parliament.

Annual parliaments

The only one of the six points of the Chartists that has not been implemented is annual parliaments.

Not until today did I find out the reason why they were so keen on so many elections. The Newport based Chartist group Accent has reproduced  Chartist membership cards. In quaint but persuasive language they argued for 'ANNUAL PARLIAMENTS:  thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation, since though a constituency might be bought once in seven years (even with a ballot), no purse could buy a constituency (under a system of universal suffrage) in each ensuing twelve-month, and since members, when elected for a year only, would not be able to defy and betray their constituents as now.'

They had not reckoned with a 'purse' as deep as Lord Ashcroft's. Another day-long day devoted to honouring the Chartists at Newport Riverfront theatre were roused by the inspired singing of Cor Cochion Caerdydd. Cardiff Reds Choir described themselves as revolutionaries. They have revived many old Chartist and Socialist Songs that have not been heard for generations.

The indefatigable Ray Davies was in splendid voice. Not bad for a 78 year old.

Fixed

The dangerous gap in the railing in the new Kingsway Park has been blocked. 

Thanks to my constituent Mrs Rowe, who reported the omission and car park manger Mr Hines who promptly corrected the problem.

Comments

[Kay Tie]

"No Government has the power to gag their advisers when they are acting outside of their advisory roles."

Well, being driven to suicide has worked before.

[Paul Flynn]

Thanks for the unanimity on the dismissal of Professor Nutt. Cannot disagree with a word said by the four postings. The quotation from the Misuse of Drugs Act is very useful. In a report I saw David Nutt stressed he was speaking in a personal capacity. No Government has the power to gag their advisers when they are acting outside of their advisory roles. Prof Nutt is a respected academic. His views cannot be silenced.

[patrick]

Glad to see Les King now resign over the Nutt issue. I hope that every government science advisor quits over the next week.

What is the point or purpose in taxpayers paying for scientific advisors to advise a government that is deaf to scientific facts?

As they (the scientists) no longer serve any purpose then why bother to even replace them when they resign while Gordon rules?

Labour's election slogan

'Making science redundant'

[John]

The view of the Tories on drug policy and personal freedom is even worse than Labour. Their coke sniffing cannabis smkoking leader wouold increase the penalties for drug use because he thinks it acts as a deterrant. Didn't stop him did it nor does killing drug dealers as they tried in Thailand new ones just appear to take their place.

The lib dems are the only party to question the current drug policy. Mr Cameron was on a committee that suggested we should question drug policy now he is leader he has disowned that original thought.

[Kay Tie]

"This is a very shameful time for Labour they will have to do something very radical to ever get my vote again.The tories will be just as bad if not worse the LibDems with there opposition to the war and a sensible drugs policy is the only party left with any credibitlity what a sad day for British politics"

Well, we might be in the situation where the LibDems are the official opposition to keep the Tories under pressure: personal freedom is something that does chime with parts of the Tory party and the LibDems ought to be able to push that door open.

Let us hope Labour is utterly destroyed in the aftermath of the next election and we can put a lot of the authoritarianism back in the box. Thankfully it looks like Damien Green will be Home Secretary and he now has a personal perspective on abuse of police powers..

[John]

Paul it seems that very few of the present government have actually read the misuse of drugs act

Professor Nutt acted within his remit, which is laid out in Section 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, c38. In fact, not only does Professor Nutt's remit include giving advice on policy, but he also has the power to give advice on whether the law itself should be altered. The relevant section of the Act is as follows:

"1. — (2) It shall be the duty of the Advisory Council to keep under review the situation in the United Kingdom with respect to drugs which are being or appear to them likely to be misused and of which the misuse is having or appears to them capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem, and to give to any one or more of the Ministers, where either the Council consider it expedient to do so or they are consulted by the Minister or Ministers in question, advice on measures (whether or not involving alteration of the law) which in the opinion of the Council ought to be taken for preventing the misuse of such drugs or dealing with social problems connected with their misuse..." (My Emphasis)

it is clear that Mr Johnsons decisions in regard to the Misuse of Drugs Act are illegal, because being ignorant of Section 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act means that he quite literally does not know the first thing about the law which delineates his powers. The result is a clear abuse of power. He is on very shaky legal ground indeed.

This total mis handling of prof Nutt and the ACMD not just over the last few days but since G Brown took office have even furthur brought into disrepute if it was at all possible those who lead us.

This is a very shameful time for Labour they will have to do something very radical to ever get my vote again.The tories will be just as bad if not worse the LibDems with there opposition to the war and a sensible drugs policy is the only party left with any credibitlity what a sad day for British politics

[Kay Tie]

Oops, forgot the link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6898172.ece

[Kay Tie]

A piece in The Times today about libel tourism. Just awful. The Human Rights Act specifically carves out libel laws as exempt from the Act. Time to do something about this (protecting just NGOs is not sufficient).

The only thing that gives me pause for thought in this is that the odious McShane thinks the same as me. He's normally a reliable litmus test in the Alf Garnet vein: you agreeing means you're wrong.

[Kay Tie]

I think recall powers would do the job of annual elections.