Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 November 2009
07:5233847#1
This article appears. I will post a full link when I get one later::::::::::
"A new Conservative government may keep parliament sitting through next August in an attempt to show its determination to implement its manifesto commitments, a source has disclosed. The move would send a message of a symbolic break with the current parliament's self-serving practices, the source said...
Working through the summer would also show the willingness of the Cameron government to make personal sacrifices as it asks Britain to take some very tough medicine, including public sector pay freezes and job losses.
With MPs' standing at an all-time low, largely owing to the expenses scandal, the shadow cabinet is aware that extraordinary steps have to be taken to restore trust. It would also be taken as a dramatic symbol of the Tory slogan "we are all in this together".
Some shadow cabinet members are arguing that the Conservative government would rapidly be seen as just like its predecessors if it administered some unpalatable spending cuts in the emergency budget only to head off on an extended summer holiday less than three weeks later. They also fear political momentum would be lost."
::::::::
What do you think? Would you see it as a 'symbolic break' with the past?
We all see their long 'holidays' and it receives much comment but we know MPs spend a lot of that time in their Constituencies. Personally I am torn on the subject, I can see the reasoning but new MPs do need time to settle into their constituency roles as well...
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 November 2009
08:2633852#2
I suppose Cameron and has cronies will have to sit through the summer recess to decide how best to spend their windfall they will receive from the change in the inheritance tax they intend to implement within their first few days of gaining power.About £70 million in total for Conservative MP's alone...
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 November 2009
09:0633857#3
What nonsense Marek. The highly popular pledge that only millionaires would have to pay inheritance tax is a first term pledge not a first year and certainly not a first budget one. That has been made clear. Sad and pathetic Labour attack lines, I thought you might do better than that.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 November 2009
09:4133858#4
BarryW
Read todays press and watch the BBC news for confirmation of the above. It's not something I have plucked from the air but information gathered from respected news agencies who have the manpower,ability and experience to research articles before releasing them into the public domain. They can't all be lying and uttering nonsense or simply backing Labours sad and pathetic attack lines as you so put it.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 November 2009
10:1833859#5
It is nonsense, full stop. Following a typical piece of hypocracy in the Mirror showing Labour's spin operation is not dead yet, just desperate.
Yes the IHT threshold will increase to £1m but that will not be an immediate priority. GO has said so. It will have to wait its turn and was downgraded in priority only a matter of months ago.
Labour, remember, because this policy when announced was so popular set out to take the sting out of it with its own 'effective' increase to £700,000 - a bit of slight of hand but even so.
Back to the topic of this thread
Here is the link to the Guardian article. Dont you want to comment on the actual subject of the thread then Marek?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/nov/24/tory-parliament-mps-sit-augustGuest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 November 2009
11:1833860#6
I think its a damn good idea that MP's should sit longer and have shorter vacations ...it's just a pity the Tories will not be in power to be able to implement the changes they desire.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 November 2009
14:3333867#7
Good point Marek they are not there yet and the way things are moving now they will still be siting on the same side of the house as they are today,but will have to move up for the rest of us.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
25 November 2009
16:1033870#8
Though I can't personally see the red team winning the race next spring (?) I'm also reminded of the saying regarding counting chickens!
If Parliament are to sit through the summer is that a good thing? I must admit, though, that MPs seem to have disgustingly long holidays compared to the rest of us.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 November 2009
18:0033876#9
i would have thought that august closedown would not really be too much.
a lot of france does the same, what gets up most peoples noses is the early shutdown then coming bcak in october.
mind you, to be fair to some of them, they do need longer breaks in order to get to spend all their expenses.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 November 2009
18:3033881#10
Do remember that just because Parliament is not sitting it does not mean they are on holiday all that time. Parliament is only part of the job and if it does sit during August then they will not be doing so much Constituency work. From the end of September until Parliament resumes you have the conference season and that can very busy, before during and after conference.
This suggestion as well, please remember is that it is just for this year, not on an ongoing basis.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
25 November 2009
18:4333886#11
Barryw
In reply to your original post(and avoiding the politics)
Its realy got to be about, if the MP's can show by clear accountability that the recess is required then maybre look at that.
And DC needs to look at what would be achieved by staying on during August?
If MP's(l,ots of them) do constituentcy work it would be wrong to pull them away from that, so a lot of thought needs to go into this one