I just watched Prime Ministers Questions for the first time in a wee while, interesting to see the next Prime Minister having Gordon Brown over a barrel. He asked Gordon Brown, who had previously said that there’s a line in Britain that pitted "those of us who are prepared to support the shared values of the union" against "those who are prepared to play fast and loose with the union and put the whole future of the union at risk" and failed to back Wendy Alexander over her referendum calls, if he backed Wendy Alexander over her referendum calls.
Brown responded by stating that Wendy hadn’t said that, when asked again by Cameron if he backed Wendy he again refused to answer the question. It’s quite clear that Wendy has been cut adrift again by Gordon Brown. Although it’s difficult to see how she can remain as leader when the person who put her there refuses to back her it is difficult to see if this really is rock bottom for Wendy’s leadership or just another day.
A further to my last post and whether or not Labour can lodge a referendum bill:
From Scottish Parliament Standing Orders (9.14). Given that the SNP have clearly stated their intent to bring forward a Bill on this subject in the lifetime of this Parliament, any such Members’ Bill would fall.
12. The member who lodged the final proposal obtains the right to introduce a Bill to give effect to it only if—
(a) no later than the end of the period referred to in paragraph 11—
(i) at least 18 other members have notified the Clerk of their support for the final proposal; and
(ii) the members supporting the final proposal include members of at least half of the political parties (or groups formed under Rule 5.2.2) represented in the Parliamentary Bureau; and
(b) the Executive has not given, by the end of the period referred to in paragraph 11 (or has waived its right to give, within that period), an indication under paragraph 13. [see below]
13. An indication under this paragraph is an indication, given in writing by a member of the Scottish Executive or junior Scottish Minister to the member who lodged the final proposal and to the Clerk (who shall arrange for the indication to be printed in the Business Bulletin)—
(a) that the Executive will initiate legislation, within the same session, to give effect to the final proposal; or
(b) that Her Majesty’s Government has initiated or will initiate legislation, during the current or next session of the UK Parliament, to give effect to the final proposal.
The right to give such an indication may be waived at any time during the period referred to in paragraph 11 by notice in writing to the member who lodged the final proposal and to the Clerk; and such a notice shall be printed in the Business Bulletin.
4 hours ago
5 comments:
That's a good spot with the standing orders. Tell me, do you have a life? :-)
Richard,
No I don't but I do have clever sources that provided me with the info.
STB
I`m still pretty stunned that Wendy Alexander has painted Labour into this particular corner.
Duncan McNeil, as Labour MSPs group chair, has stated on record that they will support ANY referendum bill that is brought forward. As you've correctly pointed out the empty threat of Labour bringing a bill forward is a complete non-starter.
Today I`m one happy nat.
I think this is all quite interesting - you clearly spend far too much time reading Standing Orders (or know someone that does)!
I suppose in many ways though (unless I've misunderstood the standing orders) this doesn't actually stop Labour drafting and introducing such a Bill in Parliament.
Of course after it was lodged it would not actually get anywhere, but that surely would not stop Labour promoting the fact that they had introduced a Referendum Bill which had then been rejected by other parties (notably the SNP).
Quite how this would play in the public/media sphere is another matter.
OK, party politics aside, she needs to go.
She's an embarrassment to Scotland. Personally, I wish she could stay for ages. With the Lib Dems in relative collapse, the Tories as popular as ever in Scotland (which is to say, not really), we (the SNP) would have an easy ride for the next 3 years if Wendy stayed.
But good Government (as the SNP aspire to provide) needs good Opposition.
She's an embarrassment to herself, to her Party and to Scotland.
She has to go. Now.
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