Only 136 out of a possible 646 MPs voted at today’s heated debate to exempt themselves from the Freedom of Information Act. It now passes to the Lords for consideration.
Private Members’ Bills are debated on Fridays when most MPs spend the day in their constituencies. Surely this demonstrates that urgent matters like this should be heard mid-week.
Five years ago, the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons recommended that they should review Private Members’ Bills, including the possibility of whether they could be transferred to another slot in the week which might be more convenient for MPs.
It’s a shame that so few turned up to debate this important issue. I believe our elected Members should have nothing to hide (unless for reasons of national security), they should work openly and transparently.
John Redwood voted against the exception and succinctly summarises why he felt it was unnecessary. Bravo John.
Iain has the full list of how MPs voted.
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I cannot see why anyone would have voted for this bill. I sincerely hope the house of lords does the decent thing and sends it to the scrapheap. The FOI act has been one of the few good things this government has done for the process of government
I’m astonished that Anne Widdecome voted for this.
There was a real cynism in introducing this bill in this way, knowing the mechanism.
I gather it was a Tory MP who proposed this amendment?
This was a disgrace; Let’s hope the House of Lords have the sense to throw it out.
Richard, let’s hope the Lords see sense and throw it out.
Q9, it’s shameful for any MP to agree to this, whatever party.
This is my take on my own blog…..
“…so one of my first acts as prime minister would be to restore power to Parliament in order to build the trust of the British people in our democracy.� 11 May 2007
“I want to build a shared national consensus for a programme of constitutional reform that strengthens the accountability of all who hold power.� 11 May 2007
“Gordon has also spoken about the sovereignty of Parliament. If MPs have voted this measure through then that is a matter for them”, his spokesman saidâ€? – 18 May 2007
Hypocrite. I guess we’d better get used to it.
They’ve got a cheek!
Do we not all have thesame rights as MPs
And does thisexemption only apply while they are in office.
I repeat I want to have a look at the earnings of Tony & Cherie Blair – and their shares & property portfolio. And I’m prepared to wait seven weeks or is it six.
Incidentally wasn’t there a handful of Tories that had to reveal (and be embarrased) by their finance in the past – as well as a handful of labour donors.
And does Cherie Blair qualify for this exemption too? – Democracy, what democracy
The Democracy of Us & Them???