Many people in the UK internet community this evening will be thinking, "what a difference half an hour makes in politics" and giving themselves a pat on the back. The PM looked haggard and striving hard, with no success, to appear the saviour of the world at PMQs today. David Cameron's performance was effective - insofar as it showed the inability of the PM to reply to a simple question.Why has half an hour today made a difference? Well Gordon Brown and his allies didn't like the Court ruling, made last year, which said that MPs expenses should not be exempt from FOI enquiries. Gordon and his cohorts thought otherwise so, with typical arrogance and ignorance, he decided to have a vote on the issue tomorrow. The English press stated labour had called a three line whip for the vote.
The Tories thought otherwise, or rather Iain Dale and mysociety thought too. They embarked on a blogosphere protest this week, using facebook along with other sites and, within a few days, they changed the decisions of other unionist MPs - leaving labour out in the cold.
Shortly after PMQs today Gordon Brown decided that the vote would not go ahead "because the opposition had changed their tune and decided not to support the government". Pity in some ways that the vote didn't go ahead. I would have enjoyed seeing Gordon and his bunch of trough-diggers being flounced.
What does that say about Gordon Brown? Not a lot more than we already know.
What does it say about David Cameron and his party? They're beginning to listen to the public and long may it continue.
What has this to do with the Scottish Parliament?
Our MSPs rules state that they must disclose information regarding their expenses. There is little requirement for many MSP expenses FOIs to be made. (I make no allowance for Lord Foulkes who has a new career of submitting FOIs which cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds).
Westminster should take a look at Holyrood and how the SNP continue to expand the information to the public.
This also shows the power of the internet and blogging. Long may it reign.
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17 comments:
If Brown had called a vote with a three line whip and lost would that not constitute a vote of no confidence?
The man's a coward.
Some of the experts are saying that scunnert but the English papers seem to think it would have been a just another nail in Brown's coffin.
It would need not another few nails in Gorgon's coffin, more likely a stake through the heart.
Hello Faux Cu, I'll bet there are plenty around him who are tempted to do the deed. After all no labour seat in Scotland is safe these days.
Hello Sub
To change the btack just a wee bit, how many David Marshalls are lurking in the background of ZaNuLab (Scottish Empire Branch) who must be pushing corks up the rear end to stem the downwards flow.
Oh buy, and if this comes out before Brown, or his successor, calls or is dragged into the nest Westmidden election.
It would take a D notice to stop this info being published so how will they defuse it?
It appears that Peter Hain has just been "slammed" by the Standards and Privileges Committee for his omission to register donations ], described as
"serious and substantial failures"
But as didn't real mean to do it he, he has said he is sorry and is being let off with a scolding.
Wendy Alexanders allround then
http://tinyurl.com/a5w5wk
Forgot link to the piece on Guy Fawkes
http://www.order-order.com/
This one is for Subrosa personally
http://tinyurl.com/a5w5wk
So, I have nae chance then, bugger.
Faux, quite a few political commentators are saying exactly that. I think the Herald was brave enough to mention David Marshall's name.
Let me tell you faux, money doesn't make a bit of difference.
Harriet Harperson has now said that all info on MPs pigtroughing will not be published nen bloc, as in Scotland.
Instead it will only be available be FOI which means limitations on cash costs and answers specific to one MP.
So that is how they are going to stop this getting into the public domain before the next GE..
Pianowire and Glock needed here
Volunteers anybody
Subrosa
So money doesn't make any difference?
How much should I charge.
Who am I to judge faux? Much depends on the quality of the goods on offer.
So that's the latest then? Only one MP at a time for an FOI?
I can see the likes of Iain Dale etc getting a lovely list of people just itching to write. Won't be a difficult task.
Anyone up for writing the FOI enquiry for David Marshall?
I'm up for it
It that had gone through where would it all stop?
OK then Faux, you draft the FOI letter and we'll copy it. That ok with you?
Hello Darwen, super idea for a website and I do hope the locals appreciate all your hard work.
It would never have stopped Darwen and I doubt if it will stop now. MPs can claw in a fair bit of pocket money a day by having several receipts for £24.99. Even one a day is £125 a week (for a 5 day week which is a lot to ask for in some cases).
The fact that MPs police themselves and make their own rulings is the main problem. That has to be stopped, but don't ask me how.
Tell you wot Sub
I am in Scotland from the 3rd until the 12th of Feb
3rd to 6th in Glasgow and 6th pm until the 12th in Freuchie at the Lomond Hills Hotel with my old mate Ronnie.
How can we meet?
I think you are not too far North from Freuchie?
How can we meet and exchange e-mails before?
Mrs Faux Cu III will be in attendance and we hope to meet Observer in Glasgow and maybe Meths / Hugh / etc / etc in Glasgow for a few beers on Friday the 5th in or around Byers Road.
I have a dump e-mail address
jacquesmac@hotmail.com
bisous
Morning Faux. It's quite a way to Freuchie for me but I'll email you.
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