House of Lords Reform Bill

Debate between Angela Eagle and Anne Main

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ms Eagle]

We had a triple lock on that issue.

[Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con)]

The Liberal Democrats stood on a manifesto that said:

“Liberal Democrats will do things differently, because we believe that power should be in the hands of people, not politicians. We will give people a real say in who governs the country”.

I would say that people need no bigger say than on the constitutional changes that are being proposed. I do not see what is any different about the need to have a referendum and talk to people about who is going to be governing the country.

--- Later in debate ---

[Ms Eagle]

I do not think that is the logic of what I was trying to say. I was merely pointing out that having such long terms and not allowing for re-election would be only a marginal improvement on not having an election at all.

[Mrs Main]

rose—

[Ms Eagle]

I have already given way to the hon. Lady.

[Mrs Main]

On this point.

[Ms Eagle]

Go on, then.

[Mrs Main]

On the hon. Lady’s point about safe seats and unaccountability, the average time in office for a Member of Parliament is two terms, which was previously eight years. The Bill would enshrine safe seats for 15 years, which is double the expected length of time spent here by a Member of Parliament who has to face the public.

Finance (No. 2) Bill

Debate between Angela Eagle and Anne Main

Monday 11th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Ms Eagle]

I shall give way in due course, but not at the moment.

I was just saying that the Somme offensive cost—

[Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con)]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Is this rather long revisiting of first world war history directly related to the Finance Bill’s Second Reading?