Brown-ed off!
NEWCASTLE MP SLAMS GOVERNMENT FOR IGNORING VOTE RESULT
LABOUR Chief Whip Nick Brown has led criticism of the Government’s announcement that it will make a statement when it loses Commons votes.
The announcement, by Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom, a Tory Cabinet Minister, suggests that the Government won’t necessarily change policy when it loses a vote, as it did over Universal Credit last week. Mr Brown, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East, said: “It’s not a new rule that’s needed, it’s to revert to the proper conventions, which are that if the House expresses an opinion, then the Government responds to it.”
There is anger among Labour MPs – and some Conservatives – about the Government’s decision to ignore votes which follow debates led by opposition parties, known as Opposition Day debates.
Tory MPs have been told to abstain on recent Opposition Day motions, which ensure the Government loses. Last week, the Com- mons voted unanimously to pause the roll-out of Universal Credit. A Labour motion calling for more funding for social care was approved by the Commons without a vote on Wednesday, after Conservatives declined to oppose it.
But critics say this reduces the House of Commons to a debating society without power. The Government has come under fire from Conservative MPs including Sir Edward Leigh, the MP for Gainsborough, who said last week: “The road to tyranny is paved by executives ignoring parliaments.”
Ms Leadsom’s announcement appears to have been a response to the criticism. She said that when the Commons approved a motion tabled by an opposition party, a Government minister would respond within 12 weeks. She said: “This is to allow thoughtful consideration of the points that have been raised, facilitate collective discussion across Government, especially on cross-cutting issues, and to outline any actions that have been taken.”
However, the comment makes it clear that there is no guarantee that the Government will change its policies in line with the will of the Commons.
Labour claims there is a convention which states governments should rethink their policies when they lose an Opposition Day vote. Mr Brown highlighted a vote in 2009 when the Commons voted for a Lib Dem motion offering former Gurkhas equal right of residence. At the time, some 36,000 former Gurkhas were being denied UK residency. As a result of the vote, the Labour Government of the day changed its policy. Mr Brown said: “When the same thing happens when the Tories are in government, they ignore the view of the House. Where is the pause in Universal Credit turnout?”
Commons Speaker John Bercow has appeared to criticise the Government’s approach, saying last week that ministers should “respect” properly “the will of the Commons”.
The road to tyranny is paved by executives ignoring parliaments Sir Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough