Pro-life MPs seek free embryo vote – The Observer

Posted January 28th, 2008 in embryology, news, parliament by sally

“Gordon Brown is facing a revolt by cabinet ministers who are demanding a free vote over the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, claiming that the ethical issues it raises are matters of conscience.”

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The Observer, 27th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs’ expenses may be revealed in detail – The Guardian

Posted January 22nd, 2008 in expenses, news, parliament by sally

“The House of Commons has been ordered to reveal the full details of the expenses claimed by six MPs, including Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, it emerged today.”

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The Guardian, 22nd January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

EU reform Bill passes its first hurdle – The Independent

Posted January 22nd, 2008 in constitutional reform, EC law, news, parliament by sally

“The Government comfortably won the first round of its gruelling battle over the European reform treaty last night, after facing angry accusations of betraying the voters.”

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The Independent, 22nd January 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government braced for revolt to force EU referendum – The Guardian

Posted January 21st, 2008 in constitutional law, EC law, news, parliament by sally

“Senior ministers are bracing themselves for the most significant revolt Gordon Brown has faced when Eurosceptic Labour rebels join forces with the Conservatives to try to force a referendum on the EU’s Lisbon treaty.”

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The Guardian, 21st January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inquiry launched into Hain donations – Financial Times

Posted January 15th, 2008 in news, parliament, political parties by sally

“Peter Hain remained in the line of fire on Monday as a parliamentary inquiry was launched into his donation errors and the Conservatives stepped up the pressure on the embattled work and pensions secretary.”

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Financial Times, 14th January 2008

Source: www.ft.com

MPs may lose right to set own pay – The Guardian

Posted January 11th, 2008 in news, parliament, remuneration by sally

“Ministers want to strip MPs of the right to set their own salaries, the leader of the Commons, Harriet Harman, said today.”

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The Guardian, 10th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

666 church motion doomed – The Independent

Posted January 11th, 2008 in Church of England, news, parliament by sally

“A motion calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England appeared on the House of Commons order paper today – bizarrely numbered 666, the number associated with the Antichrist.”

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The Independent, 10th January 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ministers to delay reform of honours system – The Guardian

Posted December 19th, 2007 in news, parliament, peerages & dignities by sally

“Ministers will publish a white paper on Lords reform in the spring following today’s damning parliamentary report into the ‘cash for honours’ scandal.”

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The Guardian, 19th December 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

MPs demand debate on treaty – The Guardian

Posted November 27th, 2007 in EC law, news, parliament, treaties by sally

“The deal secured by Gordon Brown on the EU reform treaty is subject to fresh doubts today as a committee of MPs warns that the government has failed in its pledge to retain control of justice and home affairs matters. The European scrutiny committee has demanded a fresh debate on the treaty before it is signed by heads of government because of ‘ambiguous’ wording in the treaty.”

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The Guardian, 27th November 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Grace and favour showdown looms as Speaker fights for pension perk – The Times

Posted November 20th, 2007 in news, parliament, pensions by sally

“Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, is fighting an attempt by Gordon Brown to scrap the ‘grace and favour’ pension that comes with his job, The Times has learnt.”

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The Times, 20th November 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Protecting the country’s silver – The Times

Posted November 20th, 2007 in legal services, parliament, special report by sally

“Lord Hunt of Wirral tells Edward Fennell about the dogged, systematic and determined work on the Legal Services Bill.”

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The Times, 20th November 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Bill could ban tax exiles from House of Lords – The Guardian

Posted November 16th, 2007 in constitutional reform, news, parliament, taxation by sally

“A forthcoming constitutional reform bill could include measures to stop tax exiles from sitting in the House of Lords, the cabinet secretary said yesterday amid further questions about the tax status of the millionaire Tory donor Lord Ashcroft.”

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The Guardian, 16th November 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lords claim up to £300 a day tax-free – The Guardian

Posted November 12th, 2007 in expenses, news, parliament by sally

“Hundreds of peers are exploiting a loophole on expenses to give themselves a tax-free income of up to £48,000 a year, it was claimed today.”

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The Guardian, 12th November 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk  

Expert View: Passing new laws is no substitute for running the country – The Independent

Posted November 12th, 2007 in bills, parliament, special report by sally

“Most of the 32 measures that were outlined in last week’s Queen’s Speech will need a new Act of Parliament. Add to those the hardy perennials, such as the Finance Act, the odd Private Member’s Bill and other bits and pieces and we might end up with somewhere around 30 new Acts on the statute book by the end of this parliamentary session.”

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The Independent, 11th November 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Don’t die in parliament, says stupidest law – Daily Telegraph

Posted November 6th, 2007 in news, parliament by sally

“A ban on people dying in the Houses of Parliament has been named the most absurd legislation in Britain.”

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Daily Telegraph, 6th November 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Queen’s Speech 2007

Posted November 6th, 2007 in bills, news, parliament by sally

“The Government has set out its programme for reform in the first Queen’s Speech of Gordon Brown’s premiership.”

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Source: www.number10.gov.uk

Proposal to cut Scottish MPs out of English votes ‘would put Union in peril’ – The Times

Posted October 29th, 2007 in constitutional law, news, parliament, Scotland by sally

“The constitutional relationship between England and the rest of the United Kingdom has been thrown to the centre of the next general election after senior Conservatives backed plans to strip Scottish MPs of the right to vote on English matters.”

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The Times, 29th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Judges face trial by MPs in plans for new method of selection – The Times

Posted October 26th, 2007 in constitutional reform, judiciary, news, parliament by sally

“Senior judges could be questioned by MPs under plans outlined by ministers yesterday to reform the way judges are chosen.”

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The Times, 26th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

The Governance of Britain – War Powers and Treaties: Limiting Executive Powers – Ministry of Justice

Posted October 26th, 2007 in armed forces, constitutional law, parliament, treaties, war by sally

“This consultation document seeks views on the role of Parliament in decisions to commit the armed forces to armed conflict abroad and on the ratification of treaties. It follows on from the ‘Governance of Britain’ green paper.”

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Ministry of Justice, 25th October 2007

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Constitutional reforms will enshrine right of MPs to vote on going to war – The Independent

Posted October 25th, 2007 in constitutional reform, news, parliament by sally

“Some of the most sweeping changes to the powers of Parliament are to be announced today, including a guarantee that MPs will have a vote before British troops can go to war.”

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The Independent, 25th October 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk