Anthony Barnett (London, OK): The Prime Minister appeared before the liason committee of chairs of Commons select committees this morning. Seems pretty sad. I am reproing below the blog account from the Guardian's Andrew Sparrow of the initial section of the proceedings on so-called 'constitutional renewal'. The question from Vaz is amusing. His reference to the governership of Burmuda is taken from Diane Abbott's speech in the 42 days debate, when she said that the House of Commons on the Labour side had been reduced to a "baazar". if you saw the clip after yesterday's PMQ when Vaz denied he had been offered a knighthood as his 'appropriate reward' but said there was still time, you may have noticed Abbott sitting right behind him - with an expression of grim satisfaction.
Then what should drop into my mailbox but the press release from Jack Straw. I am reproing this in full as it is his overview of the years work on the Green Paper. This is his first para, though:
"Constitutional renewal may on the face of it seem a dry area, not
directly affecting our day to day lives. But in fact the issues we
have focused on in the last 12 months are helping to forge a new
relationship between government and citizen, and ensuring that power
is placed where it should be: with Parliament and therefore with the
people. I am delighted by the progress we have made, with more to
come.
As I argue in What do we do now? however fine their early intentions, the government's 42 days debacle has evacuated parliament of its autonomy. A friend said to me yesterday, "The Commons is a busted flush".
Gordon Brown on Constitutional renewal
Alan Williams, the committee chairman, opens the session. He
says they're going to start with constitutional renewal, with the
questioning led by Sir Patrick Cormack. Cormack starts with
some light questions about whether Brown is still enjoying the job, and
whether he gets any sleep. Brown says he gets "plenty of sleep". Not
what the Whitehall gossip says.
10.05am
Brown says he is transferring powers to parliament. But Cormack
wants to know why the government continues to timetable legislation
(limiting the amount of time MPs can debate bills). "You are preventing
the executive being called fully to account," says Cormack.
10.10am
Alan Beith asks about the plans to change the role of the attorney general. Brown says that, under the plans in the constitutional reform
bill, the attorney general will not be involved in prosecution
decisions, unless national security is involved. But Beith says there
will still be a "conflict of interest", because the attorney general
has a political role and a legal role.
Brown gets testy with this line of questioning. "I don't know if
these microphones are working well enough," he says, before going on to
make his point about the attorney's powers being reduced for the third
or fourth time.
10.20am
"Lord Vaz" (as he's now known in the tearooms) asks about the counter-terrorism bill.
He asks Brown if he accepts that the counter-terrorism bill would
damage Britain's constitutional settlement, because politicians would
get involved in decisions that used to be left to the judiciary when
they condone plans to hold terrorism suspects for up to 42 days. Brown
doesn't agree.
Vaz then suggests that the compensation arrangements proposed for
suspects detained for up to 42 days and subsequently released are
"totally unworkable". Brown points out that the full details have not
been published.
Vaz then asks Brown to confirm no one was offered "a peerage, a
knighthood or even the governorship of Bermuda" in exchange for their
vote. Brown laughs. "Not at all."
10.25am
They're on to the House of Lords now. Tony Wright,
chairman of the public administration committee, says that he has spent
"more time than is good for me" on House of Lords and that he is a bit
alarmed that the government is going to publish plans with a view to
not legislating until after the next election. Why can't Brown deal
with some of the anomalies in the Lords now?
Brown says the government will be publishing its plans "quite soon". But he won't commit himself to taking action soon.
Wright then asks about the English question. Brown says English
votes for English laws (shorthand for the Tory plan) would "split the
United Kingdom". He goes on: "It would divide the UK fundamentally."
Then Wright wants to know why the equalities bill will not cover the
royal family, which still practices "gender discrimination" and
"religious discrimination" (in terms of who can ascend to the throne).
Brown says that to change these rules would involve getting agreement
from the rest of the Commonwealth.
10.35am
Winding up on the constitution, Beith suggests that the government's
reforms don't really amount to much, because he has not been prepared
to consider issues such as decentralising power, or fixed-term
parliaments.
Brown says that what really matters is that individual citizens feel
"more empowered". Referring to the forthcoming community empowerment
white paper, he says: "We are bringing forward proposals that will lead
to individuals having far more power to petition, far more power to
question, far more power to recall."
Beith doesn't seem to impressed. Being able to petition your council? Doesn't sound very radical.
Brown also has slightly tetchy exchange with Cormack, who wants to know if he favours the Scottish parliament
having more power. Brown says the Calman commission in Scotland is
looking into the affair. "Where do you stand?" Cormack asks. In vain.
Brown says it's best to wait until the commission has reported.
JACK STRAW'S PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
077-08 3 July 2008
Jack Straw welcomes a year of constitutional progress
Justice Secretary Jack Straw today marked the one year anniversary of
the Government's constitutional change programme and said the
progress made was a major step forward in renewing Britain's
democracy.
Jack Straw, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said:
"Constitutional renewal may on the face of it seem a dry area, not
directly affecting our day to day lives. But in fact the issues we
have focused on in the last 12 months are helping to forge a new
relationship between government and citizen, and ensuring that power
is placed where it should be: with Parliament and therefore with the
people. I am delighted by the progress we have made, with more to
come.
"One year since we published the Governance of Britain Green Paper we
have consulted widely on a range of important constitutional
questions, including on Parliament's role in decisions on the
deployment of the Armed Forces into conflict. I have introduced a
draft Constitutional Renewal Bill and we have established a Youth
Citizenship Commission.
"This builds on fundamental reforms carried out by the Government
since 1997 including devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland, the transformation of the role of the Lord Chancellor, the
introduction of a Supreme Court, the Human Rights Act and the Freedom
of Information Act."
In a statement to the House of Commons Mr Straw said that on 3 July
2007 the Prime Minister set out a route map for further
constitutional reform, to strengthen the relationship between
government, Parliament and the citizen, and to take steps towards a
new constitutional settlement.
Mr Straw said renewing our democracy is at the heart of the reforms,
building a new relationship between citizens and government and
ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected.
He continued that the Government is committed to surrendering or
limiting powers which it considers should not, in a modern democracy,
be exercised exclusively by the executive.
It has carried out consultations on Parliament's role in decisions
relating to the deployment of the Armed Forces into armed conflict
and the ratification of treaties, the role of the Attorney General,
government's role in judicial appointments, protest around Parliament
and the flying of the Union Flag.
Alongside the responses to the Government's 2004 consultation on the
Civil Service, these consultations informed the draft Constitutional
Renewal Bill and White Paper, which is now being considered by a
Joint Committee.
He said the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contains important
measures to strengthen Parliament and make government more
accountable to the people it serves.
He added the Government also wants Parliament to have the right to
take the final decision about committing armed forces in to conflict.
The Government is committed to rebalancing power between Parliament
and government, and giving Parliament greater ability to hold
government to account.
It is also vital that our institutions are legitimate, trusted and
responsive to the people they serve.
Mr Straw said the Government believes that a clearer understanding of
the common core of rights, responsibilities and values that go with
British citizenship will help build our sense of shared identity and
social cohesion.
In addition, Lord Goldsmith's Review of Citizenship was launched on 5
October 2007 and reported to the Prime Minister in March 2008.
Constitutional renewal in the UK is a long-term dialogue, Mr Straw
said, and in the coming months:
* The Government will publish a White Paper setting out proposals for
fundamental reform of the House of Lords, and
* Communities and Local Government will publish a White Paper setting
out the Government's proposals to empower individuals and communities
by involving them in the design and delivery of local public services
and promoting civic and democratic life.
Notes to editors
1. The Governance of Britain Green Paper was published on 3 July
2007. A copy can be found at
http://www.officialdocuments.gov.uk/document/cm71/7170/7170.asp.
2. The Governance of Britain website can be seen at
http://governance.justice.gov.uk/.
