08 Sep 2009
The Commons committee with the job of dragging Parliament into the digital age is seeking brief emailed submissions on what it should do.
The Committee on House of Commons Reform has issued a call for evidence on issues it should consider, particularly on "enabling the public to initiate debates and proceedings".
MPs are considering variations on the Downing Street e-petitions system that would guarantee they would have to debate any petition receiving more than a specified level of support — feared by some to be the start of a slippery slope towards "popularising" Parliament.
The concern is that it could enable pressure groups such as motorists to dictate policy by putting down a petition with such huge support it cannot be ignored — like the petition on the Downing Street web site against road charging, which effectively killed off the proposal.
MPs fear being put under such pressure on some issues that they are forced to vote for or against them in a way that placates public opinion rather than deal with them according to their own judgment.
Submissions need to begin with a short summary in bullet point form, have numbered paragraphs and be in Word or a rich text format with as little use of colour or logos as possible and be in by 12 October.
Perhaps MPs fearing being put under such pressure on some issues that they are forced to vote for or against them in a way that placates public opinion rather than deal with them according to their own judgement is because they are withholding information and deserve the rebuff. If the voter is to be finally given more say than only at elections then tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - success depends on transparency.
Posted by: Ivan the Terrible 14 Sep 2009
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