Tag Archives: MPs

Problems of the long recess

Lord Norton 10/09/2008 – 11:27 pm

I have already commented on the fact that the long recess has meant that MPs and peers have not been able to question ministers on events in Georgia.  Had Parliament been sitting since the end of July, we would have had statements on a range of issues, including the economy, events in Georgia, world trade talks, the loss of personal data, ongoing negotiations in Zimbabwe, and the failure to get […]

Written at 11:27 pm on 10/09/2008, by Lord Norton


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Where we live

Lord Norton 02/09/2008 – 5:45 pm

The New Local Government Network has just published a paper arguing the case for an elected second chamber based on an analysis of the principal homes of the current members of the House.  It argues that London and the Home Counties are disproportionately 'represented' while some parts of the UK have relatively few peers living in them.  The report can be found at: http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public […]

Written at 5:45 pm on 02/09/2008, by Lord Norton


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Mental health and Parliament

Lord Norton 20/07/2008 – 9:11 pm

According to The Sunday Times, the Government is planning to change the law so that people who have had certain mental health problems and are presently barred from being elected to Parliament can stand for election.  People who have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act are barred from standing even if they have made a full recovery. The Government's proposals strike me as eminently sens […]

Written at 9:11 pm on 20/07/2008, by Lord Norton


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The moral dilemma

Lord Norton 03/07/2008 – 6:02 pm

Earlier today, the House was debating the increase in world food prices.  There were some interesting speeches, including from Lord Alton of Liverpool on the cross-benches.  He touched upon the extent to which problems such as world poverty may be neglected when people in developed countries come under economic pressure.   It is the enduring dilemma: are we only ethically responsible at times […]

Written at 6:02 pm on 03/07/2008, by Lord Norton


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Should abstentions be recorded?

Lord Norton 24/06/2008 – 9:04 pm

When MPs and peers vote, they enter lobbies on either side of the chamber and their names are published as voting either 'Aye' or 'No' (MPs) or 'Content' or 'Not Content' (peers).  People outside Parliament thus know how members have voted: it is also a useful resource for researchers, as it facilitates analysis of voting behaviour.  However, abstentions are not recorded.  A member may delib […]

Written at 9:04 pm on 24/06/2008, by Lord Norton


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