The Government has just defeated an attempt by a cross-party group of MPs to widen the remit of the committee investigating the circumstances of the arrest of Conservative MP Damian Green and the search of his office by a mere four votes. The amendment – moved by Sir Menzies Campbell – was also signed by […]
Alex Johnstone, Shadow Minister for Climate Change in the Scottish Parliament, says he looks forward to scrutinising the Scottish Climate Change Bill. He said: “Scottish Conservatives support a Scottish Climate Change Bill with meaningful targets for reductions in carbon and other emissions. We look forward to scrutinising this Bill in Committee. “We particularly welcome provision […]
In conjunction with Orange, an organisation called Future Technology has brought out a report entitled Future of Politics. Having spoken to MPs, think tanks, academics and bloggers, the report makes a number of conclusions: UK politicians will need to "keep up with a new generation of ‘digital natives’ who expect MPs to get up to […]
Yesterday it emerged that the committee the Speaker announced he was setting up to consider the issues surrounding the arrest of Damian Green would not only have a Government majority, but that he would not be able to select its membership either. The Lib Dems have since announced their intention to boycott the committee. Now, […]
The House of Lords also debated the Queen’s Speech yesterday. The Bishop of Bath and Wells is one of the Lords Spiritual and so does not have a party affiliation. Nonetheless he made a highly entertaining and thought-provoking maiden speech that ConservativeHome readers shouldn’t miss. (There are some uncharacteristic typos in the Hansard report. These […]
Yesterday saw the second day of debate on the Gracious Speech. The Home Secretary was in action again straight after fielding questions about Damian Green. Unfortunately, very few MPs were present for much of what went on. Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve, who is on fire at the moment, spoke very persuasively. "On the substance […]
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith came before the House of Commons yesterday to make a statement on the Damian Green arrest. She was very much on the defensive: "As the statement issued by Sir David Normington on 28 November made clear, he was informed by the police at about 1.45 pm on 27 November that a […]
Yesterday the House of Commons debated the Queen’s Speech. Herewith some extracts of contributions from Conservative members. David Cameron was on very good form. He was funny, and coped ably with questions about Damian Green before turning his fire on the Government: "Let me tell the Prime Minister what is wrong with this Queen’s Speech. […]
Two developments this morning: The 7-member committee announced by the Speaker yesterday may now not in fact meet for months, until after the police inquiry has finished – rather than being the "speedy and immediate" inquiry that was expected. The membership of the committee will not after all be the decision of the Speaker, but […]
David Melding, Shadow Minister for the Economy and Transport in the Welsh Assembly, has criticised the Labour-Plaid Cymru administration for rejecting legislation on the Welsh language. Mr Melding had proposed a Legislative Competence Order (LCO) calling for the establishment of a Languages Commissioner and the affording of official language status to both Welsh and English. […]
Hansard has the full report of the Speaker’s statement on Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green and subsequent contributions from MPs here. There will be a debate on the issue on Monday. Some highlights from yesterday are reproduced below. The Speaker is to be commended for one thing: offering no public comment before addressing Parliament: "In […]
Her Majesty the Queen addressed Parliament today. Herewith a few points. It was mildly amusing to hear her address the room as "my Lords and members of the House of Commons", without using the words "ladies and gentlemen"! (But only mildly amusing.) The speech – written of course by the Government – referred to the […]
Conservatives in the European Parliament have indicated their pleasure with a deal MEPs struck with the Council of Ministers on CO2 emissions from cars. Legislation that will go before the European Parliament this month will now require carmakers to reduce emissions to 130g per KM between 2012 and 2015. The original proposal was that it […]