Today I put down these three new Early Day Motions. The Government has lamentably failed to implement the Ministerial Code. It was set up as a reform five years ago. It was used once by Gordon Brown in an investigation of the conduct of a Labour Minister. It has never been used by the Coalition Government is spite of three substantial complaints against ministers.
The threat of war from the same USA lobbyists who brought us the Iraq war is serious.
The public's perception of Gongs for MPs will be angry. Even MPs know nothing about this. I would welcome a nomination that I can turn down and then use the title H.R.H. Has Refused Honour.
Threat of war
That this House recalls that 179 brave British soldiers died in pursuit of non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq: that 414 soldiers died in Afghanistan protecting the UK from a non-existent Taliban terrorist threat to Britain: declares that no British lives should be risked to defend the UK from non-existent long-range Iranian missiles carrying non-existent Iranians nuclear weapons.
Ministerial Code
That this House regrets the failure to investigate legitimately three alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code by the former Defence Secretary, the Communities Secretary and the Culture Secretary, notes that the former Independent Adviser said at the time of his resignation that he should have investigated the alleged breach of the code by the former Defence Minister; condemns the failure of Government's to respect the unanimous view of the Public Administrative Committee that the replacement Independent Adviser is unsuitable for his role; calls on the Select Committee to do its duty and investigate the degradation of the valuable reform enshrined in the Ministerial Code.
Parliamentary honours
That this House believes that the highest honour attainable by a democrat in this country is achieving the office of Member of Parliament; is surprised that without the knowledge or consent of parliament a committee has been set up to give four knighthoods and 21 minor honours to Hon members and other political staff; believes that this act of self-aggrandisement will be regarded with contempt by the public; andasserts that the committee’s dominant membership of chief whips and other establishment figures brands it as an unwelcome instrument of patronage that will expose recipients of awards to ridicule.
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