Andrew Pelling

The Twelve Days of February

20 January 2010

Excess Recess - again

Perhaps still feeling the ill effects of Christmas excesses, MPs were voting today on what might be called ‘The Twelve Days of February’ – otherwise known as the half term recess. A case of eight Maids a-milking it.

Parliament is scheduled to shut up shop on Wednesday 10th February and return on Monday 22nd. However, I will be coming in to work here in Parliament on each day of the recess – including weekends.

After only five and a half weeks back it cannot be that the strain is showing, and with both front benches refusing to allow increased sittings on Fridays for Private Member’s Bills, it is surprising that it is felt there is time to spare. Many Hon. Members, not least me, could put the time to good use.

Having a February recess is pretty ridiculous. I do not pretend that my colleagues will be rushing for the airport and all points south on the evening of Wednesday 10th February, but equally it is not as if we haven’t important work to be doing here in Parliament.

I would like to speak on any number of issues. To name but a few:

• Revitalising Parliament – having a debate on the Wright Report which discusses this issue, which the Government is refusing to hold
• The threatened closure of Croydon’s Land Registry and the need to save public sector jobs in our town
• The appalling service provided by First Capital Connect to Croydon commuters
• The need for more police on Croydon’s streets
• The malign influence of the media on perceptions of female beauty
• The need to secure more funding for Croydon to cope with asylum seekers
• The Freedom Pass and why it should be preserved intact
• A referendum on EU membership
• Effective snow clearance and gritting

Would it be such a radical suggestion (it would) to give over this week to topical debates? Parliament could do much to redeem itself and the Government could show it embraces Parliamentary scrutiny.

The chances of this are, of course, nil.