Thank you Gordon Brown… having been told yet again by the doctors (and the Whips) to “take things easy and rest” the prime minister has gone and paid a visit to Her Majesty and called a General Election.
Semi-joking aside, 6th May was the worst kept secret in all Christendom. Given that the local elections were already scheduled to take place on that day, it made no sense to hold the two polls on different days – although that did last happen in 1992 (when the General Election was in April and the Council polls just four weeks later).
Of course, until next Monday I remain a Member of Parliament. Then the current parliament is formally dissolved and a Writ is published for elections to the new parliament. As I type, MPs are currently pushing legislation through streamlined parliamentary procedures so that some Bills can become law in this session. Commonly known as the wash-up, the procedure is usually non-contentious, although this time round the Digital Economy Bill is causing real concerns to people (if Twitter is anything to go by). I agree. I think a Bill of this magnitude probably needs full parliamentary scrutiny.
The good news from the wash-up though is my Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill was included on the list of Bills agreed between the Government and Opposition and, thanks to Sally Keeble MP for stepping in once again, it completed its Commons stages today. Tomorrow it is in the Lords and – with a bit of luck – it should become law! To everyone who supported my bill, thank you!
My private members bill succeeding is actually quite a nice way to end this parliament. After all the (self inflicted) bashing politics and politicians have taken in recent years, let the Debt Relief Bill serve as a reminder that most people are involved in politics for the right reasons, to help change the world… and sometimes, just sometimes, we manage to do just that!
Over the next month I plan to blog from the campaign trail…
Thank you for your championing the Vulture-stopping cause. I appreciate your illness has meant that a lot of the work has fallen on others, not least Sally Keeble and Sir Gerald Kaufman, but it wouldn’t have got through if we hadn’t been able to bridge the party devide and do the right thing. As you say, it gives politics and politicians a good name for once- keep up the good work!
Steph. Pennells, Chair, Jubilee Debt Campaign, Manchester Group.
And thanks for your support, too. I am really proud that it is now the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010… of course, that’s not the end of the process – it’s one issue ticked off but there’s still so much more to do on international development. Did you notice the plug Sir Gerald gave to you and Holy Innocents, Fallowfield, in his brief contribution to the third reading? ;o)
Andrew, we are all hoping your Vulture Bill is passed. It is a fantastic step in the right direction and not to be too OTT about it, it could save lives or at the very least improve the lives of millions of people. Well done.
What are your plans for the next term?
Yes I’m delighted too. It is great that after the ‘object’ incident, the party managers got agreement to put the Bill through wash-up. I’ve just been watching Prorogation in the Lords (on TV) and it’s now the Debt relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010… thanks to all who supported!
Next term – let’s see what happens on 6th May!!
Have you checked out any polling in your own seat?
Only the extensive voter ID we have, and of course we had two local by-elections last year, which Labour held with increased majorities… still a lot of hard work to do though!
What is happening with this? Is it now law??
It is now law. It is the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 after receiving Royal Assent yesterday
That is amazing… you ‘made’ a law. How does that feel? To put it into perspective, how many MPs actually get to this position?
A handful of private members bills usually make it into law every year, but of course this year was shortened by the dissolution of parliament by 7 months. Also because my Bill had been ‘objected’ to, we had thought that was probably the end of the road. Good on the Whips’ for finding a place for this bill in the Wash-up procedure to make it law. It’s a great feeling!
Sir, which countries will most benefit from this Bill and who will suffer as a result?
There are 40 Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) identified in the schedule to the Act, including the likes of Liberia and Zambia. Who will suffer as a result? The Vulture Funds, who won’t be able to buy up historic debts cheaply and then sue in the British Courts for that sum plus interest and other charges. It only applies to those 40 poorest countries and to their historic debts.
Are there any independents running against you?
Nominations have only just opened and don’t close until 20th April, so I won’t know for sure until then. So far I have just Lib Dem and Tory candidates declared, so we’ll see!