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The problem is: the entire edifice of our democracy is built on the assumption MPs act with honour.
If they ever did, they don't now. They know they can get away with it. So they do.
We can no longer rely on decency. We need laws.
A thread ... https://twitter.com/RussInCheshire/status/1343326035639750656
If they ever did, they don't now. They know they can get away with it. So they do.
We can no longer rely on decency. We need laws.
A thread ... https://twitter.com/RussInCheshire/status/1343326035639750656
I propose:
1. If an MP says or writes misinformation (factually incorrect) anywhere, they are fined 10% of salary for each offence, and banned from Parliament for 1 month. No vote.
2. If the MP commits this offence 3 times, a by-election is automatically called
1. If an MP says or writes misinformation (factually incorrect) anywhere, they are fined 10% of salary for each offence, and banned from Parliament for 1 month. No vote.
2. If the MP commits this offence 3 times, a by-election is automatically called
3. Set up and fund an independent fact-checking arm of the civil service, responsible for determining if an MP lied. And allow MPs to call one another liar in parliament - it's ludicrous that parliament is a place where liars cannot be called out. It's abused.
4. Replace FPTP with a form of PR, and hold monthly opinion polls. Parties are funded from taxation based on their % poll rating. Total funding across all parties = £1 per voter per year. Absolutely no other funding whatsoever.
4. Replace the Ministerial Code (subject to PM deciding to implement it) with a jury. They decide if Bullying Minister X gets the sack; not her best mate.
6. Extend the code to every MP and every paid advisor
6. Extend the code to every MP and every paid advisor
6. Double MPs pay - no wait, come back - but ban all other jobs
8. Ban ministers from taking jobs in industries they oversaw for at least 5 years after leaving office (unless the job pays less that, say, £20k). Stop the back-scratching and - let's be frank - corruption.
8. Ban ministers from taking jobs in industries they oversaw for at least 5 years after leaving office (unless the job pays less that, say, £20k). Stop the back-scratching and - let's be frank - corruption.
Those are my ideas.
Not that it matters: the Tories have 4 more years to rip apart the fabric of democratic accountability, and you bet your sweet life they will. By 2025, just saving the basics will seem like a win.
Not that it matters: the Tories have 4 more years to rip apart the fabric of democratic accountability, and you bet your sweet life they will. By 2025, just saving the basics will seem like a win.
