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New Commons Speaker John Bercow today moved to increase the power of backbench MPs by warning ministers to stop sitting on important information.
He ordered the Government to clear a huge backlog of unanswered questions from backbenchers before they go on their summer holidays.
“Such questions, and timely answers to them, are an important means by which this House calls the Government of the day to account,” he said. He wrote to all ministers warning them to comply and told MPs there will be a system to expose ministers who fail to do so.
In another move to empower backbenchers, he proposed that the three deputy speakers should be elected rather than chosen by party whips.
Reader views (1)
Definitely a step in the right direction, and if he will now stop electioneering and politicking by the PM from the dispatch box and get him to answer questions rather than speculate on opposition parties policies, progress will have been made.
Brave words, but let him follow up, with sanctions (but what sanctions?), and no curtailing the debate on the expenses bill.
Seems a bad bill prepared in haste, let us not repent at leisure, better that it fall rather than pre-empt what might come.
Further, he should also champion letting the police have their head in enquiries into expenses, even though he is also in the firing line. That he must express from the chair.
I still reserve judgment.
- Hugh, Middx, 02/07/2009 15:33
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