Downing Street Says » Constitutional Reforms

» Monday, March 8, 2004

Constitutional Reforms

Asked if, in the light of Peter Hain’s differing comments yesterday and today, the Government fully intended to invoke the Parliament Act to force the Constitutional Reform Bill through Parliament or whether it merely might do so, the PMOS said that the Government was committed to getting its legislation on the statute book for reasons that were well known. In our view, the amendment, as framed, amounted to a delaying tactic and a device to kick the proposals into the long grass. A vote was due to take place in the Lords this evening. We would have to await the result before deciding how to take things forward. Peter Hain had simply been underlining the Government’s determination yesterday to get the Bill through. Asked if Mr Hain had been told not to repeat the threat he had made yesterday, hence the toned down version today, the PMOS said that we were taking things one step at a time.

2 Comments »

I remember when Peter Hain had integrity – he has now advanced to the stage in his career wher such virtues would inhibit his salary earning potential.
Yeh – use the Parliment Act to shove something else that we don’t want or need down our throats.
Has this government lost sight of the principles of democracy and honour?
Comment by Roger Huffadine — 9 Mar 2004 on 1:38 pm | Link
In a word (or 4); a long time ago…
Comment by PapaLazzzaru — 9 Mar 2004 on 1:40 pm | Link

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