Hansard Society: Trust in Parliament only falls by 1%

The Hansard Society have published an interesting report this morning. 

The '7th Audit of Political Engagement' provides refuffal to the idea of a 'collapse in political faith' following the expenses scandal. 

Amongst the reports findings, they concluded that: 

Almost three quarters (71%) of people questioned said that they had discussed MPs' expenses over the past year, compared to considerably less than half (41%) who said they had discussed politics or political news.

The survey found that 76% of the electorate believe it is their duty to vote, but just 54% are absolutely certain to do so in the general election

But, most significantly: 

26% of voters said they trust politicians generally – down just one point from the 27% recorded in 2004. Numbers saying they distrusted politicians rose by only three points over the same period from 70% to 73%.

Guardian censor attempt fails

An interesting story broke this morning.

The Guardian, in essence, were to report proceedings from Parliament which would have revealed the existence of a hitherto secret injunction.

The injunction stopped the media reporting a story unfavorable to oil traders Trafigura.

The question, which the Guardian attempted to report, was:

Labour MP Paul Farrelly,

"To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation to protect (a) whistleblowers and (b) press freedom following the injunctions obtained in the High Court by (i) Barclays and Freshfields solicitors on 19 March 2009 on the publication of internal Barclays reports documenting alleged tax avoidance schemes and (ii) Trafigura and Carter-Ruck solicitors on 11 September 2009 on the publication of the Minton report on the alleged dumping of toxic waste in the Ivory Coast, commissioned by Trafigura."

This questioning would, through Hansard and wider reportage, therefore reveal the existence of this injunction and the secret Minton report.

Urgent questions seemed to have been bound around Parliament this morning, eventually seeing the law firm representing the oil company withdraw its opposition to the Guardian reporting the story.

It is interesting to see the actors in civil society at work here, with the press once again bolstering their claim to be the guardians (excuse the pun) of democratic ideals.

Maybe the producers of the BBC's new series of The Thick of It should consider Carter-Ruck as publicity agents rather than a bog-standard law firm...

PMQ's Report Card

With the news this week, from the 'chomping at the bit' School's Secretary Ed Balls, that schools are to introduce American style 'school report cards', what better time to introduce a PMQ's version...

Many blogs, such as Lobby Dog, have already been quick to snatch up the Clown Brown clip today, which features the baffling yet comical 0% increase line. (See below)



What exactly is a 0% increase?

Reports suggest the Prime Minister's official spokesman was equally as confused when quizzed by lobby hacks this afternoon.

PMQs quickly returned to the now familiar ground of Mr Cuts vs. Mr Trust. Cameron, for his part, challenged the Prime Minister to justify reported cuts ahead of (and after) the general election. Gordon, for his retaliation, played upon the idea of their being massive cuts under a future Tory government.

Iain Dale's diary has a good Tory slant on today's proceedings (and sadly the proceedings of every PMQs since Christmas...)

Both arguments seemed largely effective with their own backers but, perhaps as Nick Clegg argued, it is somewhat artificial to assume the outside world is caught up in this discussion.

Clegg, with his questions, seemingly attacked the Tories for cuts, attacked Labour for not being honest and then suggested the need for future cuts now. It was, at best, a shaky position.

Perhaps the most interesting question of the day came from a Labour backbencher (I've forgotten his name, it's been a long, hot day!). He proposed a return to Tuesday and Thursday version of PMQs - did away with under Thatcher. Gordon's responce? 'It's a matter for the speaker'. Well, John, if there was ever a move an' all...

Beckett now bookies favourite

Depressingly, Political Betting are reporting that Margaret Beckett is now the favourite to assume the title of Madam Speaker.

It comes despite new reports from the Telegraph which, again, reiterates the degree of Beckett et als involvement in the expenses scandal. None of the candidates have been 'whiter than white'.

Still, like last Wednesday, what strikes me amongst the claims is the sheer costs of items claimed. Just where are you buying £1000 worth of plants?

Redacting this week

This week has been another of high politics.

The feeling of lunging from one crisis to another has set not just with the government but with Parliament itself. Domestic politics seemed to cover old ground, u-turns, Iraq and MPs expenses. Foreign Affairs have also demonstrated a high-point in politics, demonstrations in Tehran, new agreements in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty and even the Grande Dame of French politics, Mrs Chiraq, keeping the husband in line.

The announcement, at the start of this week, of an inquiry into the Iraq War was interesting in several respects. For Gordon's own reputation it was perhaps damaging. It demonstrated he had held no consultation with own, let alone others, party.

The nature of the inquiry, in private and by a Privy Council body, did no favours for the idea of openness and transparency. The later u-turn, agreeing that parts of the inquiry could be held in public, came after a heavy and largely unprecedented measure of criticism from leading former civil servents and former Army high brass itself.

Speaker Martin's final days have also done little for the reputation of MPs. The delicious hypocrocy of Cameron et al praising his abilities seemed at odds with the line taken only a few weeks ago.

Speaking of Speaker Martin, the man effectively in charge of the House, I wondered if he knew of the process of redaction. Most MPs vermentally assert they had no knowledge of the sheer level of black ink that would be applied to receipt and forms themselves. This again seems a contradiction to the idea of openess in Parliament.

However, this proves crucial in understanding the expenses scandal. Aside from police investigating several MPs, the process of redaction demonstrates that MPs have not been able to largely regulate themselves. The House authorities seem, at no point, to have grasped the seriousness of the level of public distrust and anger, and continue to be blistfully unaware.

Turning to Iran, Martin Amos, the author and poet, made an ominous prediction on the BBC's This Week. The strength of force in Tehran plays, he said, a crucial role.

Indeed, the old guard have so far with held back from a full on assault, perhaps cautious of the lessons of the Revolutionary Bodies own history, emerging from the over-throw of a deeply unpopular ruler. In the coming days and weeks, particular after the intervention of the Supreme Leader, it shall be interesting to see how authorites, and protestors, re-act.

The country now risks being very close to completely overthrowing the Islamic system all together or again surpressing the voices of a very considerable proportion.

Who knows what next week could only hold...

Speaker Beckett?

This weekend, in the strongest signal yet of fear amongst the Labour ranks, former Housing Minister Margaret Beckett predicted a hung parliament.

Writing in The Times, Beckett displays the arrogant tone she has taken to adopting ever since her 'arrival' as Foreign Secretary in the dying days of the Blair government.

Her objective, to me, seems amazingly transparent. In emphasising the current predictions of doom and gloom Beckett hopes to further her stated ambition of becoming the Common's speaker.

What was it that Thatcher said about the oxygen of publicity?

Beckett's attempts at self promotion aside, she would be ill placed as a speaker for a new Parliament. Throughout the previous 12 years Beckett has remained a loyal backbencher, whip and minister. Unlike some of her notable counter-parts she has never, to date, criticised Government policy or personalities. Topped with the news that she herself also has questions surrounding the MPs expenses saga and it becomes a CV heading straight for the rejected pile.

No, she would not be 'best placed' (as she says) to reform and work with who-ever takes the top job. Saying all this, either are much of the other candidates...

Well, leaving aside the election of the speaker, Beckett's comments are interesting.

Predicting a hung Parliament has been something of a echo since as early as 2005. I suspect it would be no bad thing for our democracy to once again see a hung Parliament. The working of Cameron, a future Labour leader and possibly even Clegg could be the shot in the arm the country needs, seeing democractic renewal before their eyes. It could, just as easily, casade in one big infurno of political hustings and leave the 'real issues of the day' outside.

Political analysis have a proved record of getting wrong but I suspect, at the minimum, a smaller Conservative majority as a winner party with negotiations crucial for the future...

Speakers and Parliaments aside, how much longer should we continue to run with the 'Night of the Plastic Spoons' header? We has predicted taking it down on Friday but, in the words of Prime Minister Mandelson, 'there continues to be elements plotting Brown's downfall'.