Tuesday, November 02, 2010
A cut that needs to be made
On balance I think that the cut in the number of MPs needs to be made. Not only do we need to have equitable constituencies but we also have too many politicians. That is true in Wales in particular where we now have about 1200 Principal Councillors, 60 Assembly Members and 40 MPs.
If there is a 'yes' vote in March there is no justification for having so many MPs as most of the domestic issues and laws will be decided in Wales. Even if voters refuse the request to give the Assembly primary law-making powers, the case for retaining 40 MPs is marginal to say the least.
Where I do agree with critics of the present bill however is in the need to cut the number of Ministers proportionally with the reduction in honourable members. The Daily Telegraph agrees.
They say that the Bill will ensure there are proportionately fewer independent-minded backbenchers in future, and the executive will tighten its grip on the legislature:
This flies in the face of what the Coalition claims to stand for – the diminution of Big Government, a reinvigoration of Parliament and a reduction in ill-considered legislation. If we are going to have a smaller Commons then we need fewer ministers, too.
This is not just about saving money, it is about achieving a higher quality of representation and scrutiny and that means that we need less MPs on the payroll vote and more acting in an independent manner.
If there is a 'yes' vote in March there is no justification for having so many MPs as most of the domestic issues and laws will be decided in Wales. Even if voters refuse the request to give the Assembly primary law-making powers, the case for retaining 40 MPs is marginal to say the least.
Where I do agree with critics of the present bill however is in the need to cut the number of Ministers proportionally with the reduction in honourable members. The Daily Telegraph agrees.
They say that the Bill will ensure there are proportionately fewer independent-minded backbenchers in future, and the executive will tighten its grip on the legislature:
This flies in the face of what the Coalition claims to stand for – the diminution of Big Government, a reinvigoration of Parliament and a reduction in ill-considered legislation. If we are going to have a smaller Commons then we need fewer ministers, too.
This is not just about saving money, it is about achieving a higher quality of representation and scrutiny and that means that we need less MPs on the payroll vote and more acting in an independent manner.
Comments:
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If the number of MPs throughout the UK is to be reduced then Wales should lose its fair share. However, if the issue of what you cal "equitable constituencies" is to be pursued, Wales will lose proportionately three times as many MPs as the UK as a whole.
Wales had more MPs as a result of smaller constituencies becasue it was a small constituet part of the UK and more MPs enabled it (theoretically) to punch above it weight.
What's changed? Is Wales no longer a small part of the UK? Are we suddenly a massive part of Great Britain?
Wales had more MPs as a result of smaller constituencies becasue it was a small constituet part of the UK and more MPs enabled it (theoretically) to punch above it weight.
What's changed? Is Wales no longer a small part of the UK? Are we suddenly a massive part of Great Britain?
# posted by 
: 6:36 PM
: 6:36 PM
What is changed is that we now have a Welsh Assembly which has taken on a large amount of the work of MPs.
But the question we should ask are Wales, Scotland,Northern Ireland and England equal members of the U.K as countries are equal members of the European Union.
If you are a federal party as you claim, shouldn't you bee arguing for more Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland MPs?
If English MPs are able to simply dominate policy on non-devolved issues, how are we equal partners and how is this a fair union?
If you are a federal party as you claim, shouldn't you bee arguing for more Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland MPs?
If English MPs are able to simply dominate policy on non-devolved issues, how are we equal partners and how is this a fair union?
That makes no sense whatsoever. As a Federal Party we should and are arguing for equal representation at a Federal level and more powers at a Welsh level. If English MPs can dominate on non-devolved issues, and I have seen no evidence that they act as a block at all, it is because England is bigger than the other countries. This bill is entirely consistent with our Federalism.
Of course I'm not making sense the current idea of an equal union does not make sense and neither does fedralism.
My point was to emphasise the absurdity of this
What do you mean by
"As a Federal Party we should and are arguing for equal representation at a Federal level and more powers at a Welsh level".
How would this work?
Do you mean the Establishment of devolved Parliaments in England.
But Wales and Scotland are not regions they are Nations and should be treated as thus or do you think Wales is a region like say the South West of England?
Federalism will mean that Wales as a Nation will cease to exist.
The only answer is for Wales to be independent in the EU as Latvia is now.
My point was to emphasise the absurdity of this
What do you mean by
"As a Federal Party we should and are arguing for equal representation at a Federal level and more powers at a Welsh level".
How would this work?
Do you mean the Establishment of devolved Parliaments in England.
But Wales and Scotland are not regions they are Nations and should be treated as thus or do you think Wales is a region like say the South West of England?
Federalism will mean that Wales as a Nation will cease to exist.
The only answer is for Wales to be independent in the EU as Latvia is now.
"What is changed is that we now have a Welsh Assembly which has taken on a large amount of the work of MPs."
Debatable but let's run with that for a moment. If it has reduced the work of MPs then it has reduced the work of ALL MPs, not just the Welsh ones. Why is Wales taking a bigger hit?
Debatable but let's run with that for a moment. If it has reduced the work of MPs then it has reduced the work of ALL MPs, not just the Welsh ones. Why is Wales taking a bigger hit?
# posted by : 1:32 PM
: 1:32 PM
No, the last time I looked the Welsh Assembly had no responsibility for England or Scotlaand, who are also having a reduction in the number of MPs by the way.
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