The Guardian reports.
Britain’s main political parties are heading for a pre-election clash over the introduction of English votes for English laws after the Labour party announced that it would boycott a “Westminster stitch-up” on the issue.
William Hague, the leader of the Commons, is chairing a cabinet committee that will examine proposals to introduce English votes for English laws, known by its acronym of Evel, at Westminster.
Of course it's a stitch-up in that it wouldn't happen if the coalition parties didn't see some party advantage to be gained. So what? It is a genuine issue just the same.
So the Labour party is seen to put party advantage ahead of a commonplace issue of democratic accountability. No surprises there, if the situation were reversed, the Conservatives and Lib Dems would be just as devious.
Many of us would much prefer to see a Labour party where democracy is an ineradicable part of its basic raison d'être. A party which fights for the interests of ordinary voters against the rich and powerful without ever sacrificing principle to expediency. A moral oasis in a corrupt world. Yet it ain't so. Never was.
4 comments:
As I recall Ramsay Macdonald has a long lasting affaire with Lady Margaret Sackville and was often entertained by Lady Londonderry. At least they were a better class of people than these bourgeoisie bankers.
Let the game commence.
Father Jack would have solved it!
'Ah, but that would be an ecumenical question'...
Everyone flummoxed, and of course, it is a smokescreen which they all love pondering while laying on the expenses.
Demetrius - good point, our lot aren't even classy.
James - yes, the wriggling is good fun because it is so transparent.
Michael - some would be happy enough pondering for the rest of their lives.
Post a Comment