MPs are due to debate proposals to modernise Commons procedure on February 23rd which have been drawn up by a cross-party committee chaired by Labour MP Tony Wright. The proposals include the election of select committee members and chairmen and giving power to the Commons over its agenda (rather than the Government), partly through the creation of Business Committees.
The Shadow Leader of the Commons, Sir George Young was alarmed to read in the Times this morning that the Government is going to use a procedure for making the proposals which could see any recommendation voted down after an objection from just one MP.
At Business Questions today, Sir George asked Harriet Harman:
"There is now widespread suspicion that the Government have adopted an approach that is simply designed to fail. Today’s edition of The Times reports that we will be voting only on an unamendable order, which could be blocked by a single Member. Is that consistent with the spirit of consensus to which the right hon. and learned Lady has constantly referred? The last time a similar package of reforms was debated in the House, in 2002, we had a debate and then we voted on a series of resolutions on the recommendations of the Modernisation Committee. Why is that not an appropriate precedent for the Wright Committee?
"Will the House be able to vote on the resolutions of which the Government approve as well as on those that they do not? Does the Leader of the House agree with my suggestion that we should postpone the February recess by one day and debate the Wright report earlier than she proposes, given that we are seriously beginning to run out of time? Yesterday she admitted that she was not much good at reversing. Today she risks stalling."
Harriet Harman's reply does not instill confidence:
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