Busaholic
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Jun 2014
- Messages
- 14,090
I've had almost no support on here for getting rid of this noisome act, so a little in advance of results from the General Election I'd like to quote from a letter in today's 'Times' newspaper which, as you may know, I'm unable to provide a link to, but I can assure you I am quoting directly.
It is from Lord Lisvane who as Sir Robert Rogers was Clerk of the House of Commons 2011-2014, with donkey's years before that in more junior positions.
Wise words imo: thoughts?
It is from Lord Lisvane who as Sir Robert Rogers was Clerk of the House of Commons 2011-2014, with donkey's years before that in more junior positions.
'Whatever the outcome of the election, I hope that an early casualty of the new parliament will be the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. It was the creation of understandable political expediency, but it has serious flaws. Given that the average length of parliaments since 1945 has been three years and ten months, setting the fixed term at five years was a mistake, not explained away by the claim that this would allow more strategic decision-making.The act has two, and only two, humane killers, the motions for 'an early general election' requiring a two-thirds majority, and of 'no confidence' if not followed within fourteen days by a confidence motion. But it makes no provision for a government losing on a matter which previously would have been regarded as one of confidence : the finance bill, for example, or even the Queen's Speech, and having to limp on without the authority to govern....However,the act has served one purpose: it demonstrates that constitutional change should not be made in haste, and in response to short-term pressures. That is a lesson to be remembered in the weeks ahead.'
Wise words imo: thoughts?