29-10-02

“Time to modernise parliament” says Barrett

John Barrett, the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today backed major reform of the House of Commons working hours and practices.

His statement came hours before a major vote in the House of Commons on proposals to reduce the long summer recess and to start sittings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11.30am and finish at 7pm.

In a statement, Mr Barrett, said:

"Ever since I was elected to Parliament last year, I've been convinced of the need for major reform of how the House of Commons works.

"The current hours stem from a time when MPs had other jobs, often working in the City in the morning and in Parliament in the afternoon. I believe that practice should end and that being an MP, representing your constituents and holding the Government to account, should be a full time job in itself. The modernisation programme should be designed to reflect this and not to provide an opportunity to earn a second income.

"Tonight's vote on the reforms is likely to take place between 10pm and midnight. Nobody is at their best at such a time of the evening and if we are to better represent the people we serve, we must work more sensible hours.

"People should also be able to see on that day's evening news what the Government has done and how Parliament has scrutinised their work. Reforming the working hours will give us just that.

"I also believe the current practice where oral parliamentary questions need to be tabled two weeks leaves many MPs unable to raise topical issues of importance. Reducing this time will help Parliament hold the Government to account, one of the major roles of backbench MPs."

ENDS