There is talk of a vote of no confidence on Douglas Carswell’s Motion and of the Speaker being removed if he does not remove himself during his statement, which is hard to believe of a man like Speaker Martin, who has managed to show himself to be dishonest, a bully and a complete ignoramus about British constitutional structures (such as they still are).
Even Jackie Ashley of the Guardian thinks that “Gorbals Mick” must go, though her using that nickname makes it sound like the toffs are ganging up on the poor working class bloke. Nor does she seem to be able to grasp what it is that is wrong with the man and his behaviour now and throughout his Speakership.
Iain Martin of the Telegraph seems to think that getting rid of Speaker Martin is a sign of badly needed parliamentary reform. Well, no it isn’t. If it happens it will be a return to the real parliamentary tradition of having a Speaker that is not the Government’s errand boy. Can we bring Betty Boothroyd back from the Lords?
A real reform would mean the Commons actually taking legislative powers back from the EU and the various quangos to whom they have given those powers away. Still, doing something that has not happened since 1695 is a step in the right direction.
Now if only we could start thinking about separating the legislative and the executive.
But that’s enough British politics. Out there in the big world there is one very good piece of news. Manmohan Singh, India’s Anglospheric, forward looking Prime Minister has become the first full-term premier to be re-elected.
The Congress party and its coalition partners soared ahead with 260 seats in the country's 543-seat Parliament, just shy of a majority. It was Congress's biggest win in 20 years.The BJP is also known for being Hindu extremist and not averse to the odd spot of terrorism itself in its own cause. And, as an Anglospherist ally said to me, you cannot just write off 15 per cent of the population who happen to be Muslim. No more can you write off other parts of the population who may be Hindu or Christian or nothing much and would like to have a better life and see India take its rightful place in the world.
The BJP coalition, led by 81-year-old L.K. Advani, who is nicknamed Iron Man for his tough stand against terrorism, is set to take 160 seats.
Does India now have a better government than either Britain or the United States?
No, that's not "enough British politics." Not until some real change is achieved. Removal of Speaker Martin being only the first step. Next, how about removal of the 2003 Chancellor who via "The income tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003" slipped in the second home free exemption clause 292 whereby, "No liability to income tax arises in respect of of an overnight expenses allowance paid to a Member of the House of Commons in accordance with a resolution of that house." etc etc and it goes on to allow for the 2nd home scandal.
ReplyDelete(Private Eye 1236 page 29)
every one outside the Eu and USA has a better government, or despotic leader would be a better description. you could vote at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/there-is-nothing-british-about-the-eu.html and say your bit, please.
ReplyDeleteChris Edwards
I don't think you can have looked at too many governments in Africa, certain parts of Asia (China, hmmm?) and parts of the former Soviet Union if you say that everyone outside the EU and USA has a better government. A little sense of proportion, please.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I have been under the impression that I have been saying my bit loud and clear for some years. Not a fan of petions, I am afraid. We are past that stage in history.
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