by René Lavanchy
Plans to shift control of Parliament from government to MPs are doomed to failure because ministers are acquiescing in having them killed off by stalling tactics, an MP and reform campaigner has warned.
House of Commons Leader Harriet Harman has arranged for debate on a number of proposals put forward by MP Tony Wright’s reform committee, when Parliament returns from recess on Monday.
But Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North and a member of the Parliament First group, is unhappy that Ms Harman has chosen to use motions which can be defeated by a single MP shouting “object”. A further debate and vote have been scheduled, but he and other MPs on the reform committee fear that the large number of votes will leave MPs confused and open to manipulation by government whips.
Meanwhile, Parliament First has defied Ms Harman to demand a vote next month calling for a “business committee” to schedule readings for government legislation. Currently, parliamentary business is controlled by government through the Commons leader.
Mr Allen told Tribune: “There are a number of people prepared to screw up the business. You only need one person to shout “object”, which is why we think government haven’t been helpful. If it was something government would’ve wanted, they would not have built in this obstacle.”
Ms Harman has offered a motion on a backbench business committee. However, this committee would only be able to schedule non-government business.
Mr Allen said: “Government should get its business, but Parliament should get its scrutiny, and the only way is for parliamentarians to decide the actual timetable.”
More than 50 MPs from all major parties have signed a resolution for a full-powered business committee, and are hoping to force a vote on the issue when MPs debate the reform proposals on March 4.
One supporter, Liberal Democrat Evan Harris, said: “Now this amendment has the support of both major opposition parties and the nationalists, as well as scores of backbench Labour MPs, it looks as if Harriet Harman will have to support it or be seen to be standing in the way of necessary reform.”
