Problem not solution

A last gasp attempt to expel sleaze  from parliament appeared on the Commons Order paper today. The Commons authorities are  nervous of Early Day Motions that criticised MPs or Lords. 

It took an interview yesterday with a top Commons official to get these words into the pubic domain.  I stick by my guns recorded in select committee minutes that appointing a former minister turned businessman to police other post ministerial appointments is not a reform. This is more of the same problem.

Lord Lang was interviewed by the Dispatches team. He later sent in his CV seeking  fresh appointment. 

CONDUCT OF LORD LANG

07.04.2010

Flynn, Paul

That this House believes that Lord Lang, having been appointed to the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, should refrain from seeking any further business appointments; considers that the holder of this post should hold no such appointments in principle; and calls on Lord Lang to consider his position and the advantages to the reputation of Parliament of replacing him with an independent chair who would be unencumbered by outside paid interests.

Canvassing is fun

To steady the nerve of those who have never peviously canvassed I have written a helpful guide named 'Canvasssing is Fun'.  It's a challenge to the publication 'Root canal surgery is joyful' and was received with a measure of cynicism tonight by my band of 20 canvassers. My guide starts,'If you have not tried it, you have a treat in store. The great majority of people you meet will be pleasant and welcoming. They liked being asked  their opinions. Most are happy to state their preferences. 

In the warm evening sunlight tonight canvassing was a pleasure.  I've always gone to great lengths to keep in touch with my constituents. Tonight there was a party atmosphere - greeting friends old and new. There was one glorious moment, the sort that candidates dream about. Most of my constituents recognise me and answer my greetings accordingly. Tonight I was speaking to a pensioner over his door Inter-com. He told me firmly that he was a Conservative. I was about to bid him a swift goodbye as I had advised in my guide. Then he added, 'But here in Newport we have a very good MP.' Bliss. He came downstairs to have a face-to-face chat. He will vote Labour.

Half an hour later a man in a van slowed down and shouted 'Are we going to win?" 'Definitely' I said, 'I'd put money on it!' It was euphoria speaker. One swallow does not make a summer but one Tory voting Labour does help.

On another day

The objections to the Digital Bill died with a whimper as parliament did. The objections were expressed eloquently and at length. 

Those objections  have been made very persuasively to me by several constituents. There were also strong points made by creative industries on copyrights in the two days of debate. It extended over a long period compared with other bills  and I heard, at least, 80% of it. None of the three main parties opposed the bill and the vote was overwhelming 197 to 40. Concessions were made and the bill will not come into effect for a year.  The line of my party was to  support the bill. I was persuaded by Tom Watson and others that there are still serious objections.  I ended up doing something I rarely do on these occasions and that is abstain. 

There are as many good arguments for as there are against. There may be a more considered debate in the next parliament. 

Comments

[HuwOS]

http://rockandahardplace2010.blogspot.com/2010/04/day-1-its-on-baby-its-on.html

Chris Addison is apparently doing an election blog, definitely worth a read.

[Kay Tie]

"you aren't, I believe, the kind of person to vote for or against something without having any real convictions on it"

Paul might have the next time he tries to use a public WiFi hotspot and finds they've been shut down due to the onerous legal liability placed on the owner by the DEB.

[HuwOS]

On the digital economy bill, Paul.

From your earlier comments, I had figured you would probably not vote on it.
It might have been a vote catcher for whatever techy minded people are in Newport but you aren't, I believe, the kind of person to vote for or against something without having any real convictions on it, knowing that it is going to pass or not without regard to your vote purely to give the impression of supporting a view that you do not hold.

I hope though that, on the possibility that you are re-elected that you will perhaps take the opportunity to have a debate/discussion with those interested of your electorate as I think you may find that there really are not as many arguments for certain elements of DEB as there are against those elements.

[DG]

Make it a Vintage Item Treasure Hunt (aka Charity Shop Sweep) and you're on :) (Mothball Alley only though - the ones near the bus station have got a bit pricy lately!)

[HuwOS]

How about a pound shop crawl?

[DG]

If anything apart from the Ryder Cup car park happens on that site in the next 5 years, I'll take you and your whole family for a slap-up meal... in the restaurant quarter at Friar's Walk.

[HuwOS]

It's good, although we shouldn't get over excited, the only thing that is currently promised is 140 homes over 4 years.
But any good news at the moment is very welcome.

[Tony]

Anyone seen this ?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8609984.stm

Now thats a boost for the local economy right enough - homes, jobs and a business park ..