The mad wave of protests targeting not just American embassies and business, but also western diplomatic missions, is getting nastier by the day, while elected Islamists leaders in Cairo openly ask western democracies to change the law to criminalise expressions they see as critical of their interpretation of Islam.
Category Archives: Democracy/Parliament
House of Lords Reform Bill
The government ( Deputy Prime Minister office) publish the house of lords reform bill.
the final electoral period Government proposes 360 elected peers, 90 appointed ones and 12 bishops and other spiritual lords.
here is summary of the proposed structure of the House of Lords:
I In the first electoral period the House of Lords is proposed to consist of—
120 elected members, 30 appointed members, then up to 21 Lords Spiritual ( Bishops and religious figures from other churches and faiths) . In addition to any ministerial members, and the transitional members for that period.
II – in the second In the second electoral period the House of Lords is to consist of: 240 elected members, 60 appointed members, up to 16 Lords Spiritual, in addition to any ministerial members, and the transitional members for that period.
III- Then In each subsequent electoral period the House of Lords is to consist 360 elected members, 90 appointed members, and up to up to 12 Lords Spiritual, and any ministerial members.
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In reply to the committee report the Government states that it accepts that a mainly elected House of Lords is likely to be more assertive, as it has been after every major reform to its membership. However, the Government believes that this will enhance the ability of Parliament as a whole to hold the executive to account.
Summary of the Bill:To make provision about the membership of the House of Lords; to make provision about the disclaimer of life peerages; to abolish the jurisdiction of the House of Lords in relation to peerage claims; to make other provision relating to peerage; and for connected purposes.
Link to the Bill on the house of lords site
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/houseoflordsreform.html
Culture Media and Sport Select Committee on Phone Hacking
Just a short link to the report
The report finding is a bit daft. It finds Rupert Murdoch ‘ not fit to run an international company.’ This is a businessman, who has, for near three decades, running, perhaps the world’s most successful media business in recent history, created thousands of jobs world wide, revolutionised broadcasting and television satellite service. How would anybody take this report seriously.
See the report in full..http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcumeds/903/903i.pdf
Miliband ought to focus on NHS IN PMQs instead of alienating Journalists
After months of failing to score points during PMQs, Labour leader Ed Miliband made good progress in the past few weeks by focusing on the government controversial NHS reform bill but he is in danger of losing jouranlists support.