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Original poster

Ministers to be given power to change the law without consulting parliament

18 replies

Caligula · 21/02/2006 20:52

Just stumbled across this article from the Times and found it frankly rather alarming.

who wants the abolition of parliament bill?

WTF are this authoritarian government on?

OP posts:
Hallgerda · 21/02/2006 21:14

Scary stuff. I should think the Lords will give it short shrift though, and after they've given it a decent savaging the Commons may wake up to the sinister nature of the proposals.

I know I shouldn't really make light of this very serious matter, but it's not even the Government's original idea - take a look at this book. Things are bad if the powers that be are getting their repressive legislation ideas from comic novels!

kittyfish · 22/02/2006 09:47

Scary as hell but doesn't suprise me at all as the Labout Govt is the definition of 'control freak' in the dictionary. One of the many reasons I voted against them.

Original poster
Caligula · 22/02/2006 10:35

Found a letter about it - hope this comes to public attention and someone stops them in their tracks

letter in the times

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Original poster
Caligula · 22/02/2006 11:25

Ah here's another article, this one by Marcel Berlins

guardian article

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kittyfish · 22/02/2006 11:43

Thanks for the links Caligula. All very 1984 isn't it?

Bugsy2 · 22/02/2006 12:14

Thanks for this Caligula. Seems very worrying to me. Ministers are supposed to be accountable to Parliament, which is in turn accountable to the people who elected it.
Can't believe Tony Benn isn't speaking out about this, given his entrenched belief in the power of Parliament.
I guess we should all start writing to our MP's imploring them to vote against this measure.

WideWebWitch · 22/02/2006 12:21

Bliar is mad

ruty · 22/02/2006 12:46

he is, isn't he? when did it happen?

Kelly1978 · 22/02/2006 12:50

It won't happen. It goes against one of the fundemantal principles of english law - the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy. And after all the fighting to retain the idea inline with the changes that the EU has brought there is no way that they will give it up just like that. I wonder if it just a plan to try to get ministers delegated legislation rights, but I can't even see that working. Lords will throw it straight back.

ruty · 22/02/2006 13:01

sorry, i meant, when did he go mad? I really can't tell.

Hallgerda · 22/02/2006 13:02

I think Freddie Stockdale came up with a far better title for his fictional abolition of Parliament Bill: Miscellaneous Provisions No. 4 Enabling Bill sounds delightfully spooky.

I wish I shared your optimism Kelly1978, but I don't recall that our political leaders were entirely straight with the electorate about the constitutional consequences of joining the then Common Market (I'm actually in favour of the EC, but...). I really must write to my MP... Thanks for the wake-up call, Caligula!

fairyjay · 22/02/2006 13:04

I thought they already did - or at least manipulated it to their own ends!

kittyfish · 22/02/2006 14:02

I too will be writing to my MP about this.

Hallgerda · 22/02/2006 15:14

This from Hansard made my blood boil about the arrogance of Government ministers. How dare Mr. Hoon dismiss such an important matter in this way!

Original poster
Caligula · 22/02/2006 21:07

Hoon is unbelievable, isn't he. Mind you, they all are.

I think Blair went mad quite early on.

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kittyfish · 22/02/2006 21:08

I think I'd go mad if I had to look at two jags all day.

Original poster
Caligula · 22/02/2006 21:10

Yeah - I notice his wife has never given an interview. I wonder if Mrs Prescott is bonkers?

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ruty · 22/02/2006 21:15

Hoon is definitely mad. completely bonkers.

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