Commons Speaker refuses bid to debate government diktats – but it may IMPROVE democracy
Speaking up: Lindsay Hoyle wasn’t quite this active in his speech, but his words were strong.
What was the point of Lindsay Hoyle’s intervention about Boris Johnson treating Parliament with contempt?
He spoke up to say the way the government has used secondary legislation – statutory instruments – to exercise power in the Covid-19 crisis has been “totally unsatisfactory”.
But then he said he’s blocking an amendment of the temporary provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 – that allows Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock to use those powers!
See for yourself:
BREAKING: Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle says the govt exercise of powers on #COVID19 has been "totally unsatisfactory", but rules out Brady amendment to give MPs chance to vote upon any secondary legislation before it comes into effect.
Follow live: https://t.co/GQQxp1Ugqk pic.twitter.com/8ycYrZO3f2
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 30, 2020
He did say that he’ll be extremely sympathetic to motions that call for the government to send ministers to the Commons to defend undemocratic moves to restrict citizens’ freedoms in the future.
And it seems likely that Tory backbenchers will take advantage of this; all is not well between Downing Street and the Tory backbenches.
It raises a crucial question:
Could Tory rebels bring Johnson down – in the middle of a national health crisis – in the name of democracy?
Amazingly, because of Keir Starmer’s assurances of support, it seems the government is more likely to be defeated by members of its own party than by Her Majesty’s Opposition – and that’s an unhealthy position for a Labour leader.
The public will see that Starmer is not doing the job for which he was elected and will turn further against him.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
Vox Political needs your help!
If you want to support this site
(but don’t want to give your money to advertisers)
you can make a one-off donation here:
Here are four ways to be sure you’re among the first to know what’s going on.
1) Register with us by clicking on ‘Subscribe’ (in the left margin). You can then receive notifications of every new article that is posted here.
2) Follow VP on Twitter @VoxPolitical
3) Like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VoxPolitical/
Join the Vox Political Facebook page.
4) You could even make Vox Political your homepage at http://voxpoliticalonline.com
And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
If you have appreciated this article, don’t forget to share it using the buttons at the bottom of this page. Politics is about everybody – so let’s try to get everybody involved!
Buy Vox Political books so we can continue
fighting for the facts.
The Livingstone Presumption is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
Health Warning: Government! is now available
in either print or eBook format here:
The first collection, Strong Words and Hard Times,
is still available in either print or eBook format here:
I would like to go to your court case at Bristol on Friday 2 October (I just live in Bath). I’ve tried to contact the court to ask if I am allowed to be there. No reply. Can you tell me how to get permission to go there?
I’ve just learned that if you do attend, you might not be able to get into the court! Social distancing. Very annoying!
But my understanding is that you don’t actually need permission to go. You just turn up and say you want to attend Mike Sivier v The Labour Party.