The House of Lords broke no constitutional conventions in referring back Osborne’s vindictive tax credit cuts. The Tories and their media supporters are talking utter garbage on the question. Taking Britain’s appalling “constitution” for what it is, the arcane rules of procedure were not breached.
Ever since David Lloyd George and Herbert Asquith forced, by threat of massive creation of peerages, the 1911 Budget through and with it the start of National Insurance and the demise of the workhouse, there has been a convention that the Lords do not oppose or amend Finance Bills.
But the tax credit cuts were not in a Finance Bill. Osborne instead tried to sneak them through by statutory instrument. This is secondary legislation whereby a Minister signs off laws under powers delegated to him by primary legislation. Secondary legislation gets much less parliamentary time and committee scrutiny. If Osborne had put the tax credit proposals in a Finance Bill, as they certainly should have been – it is Osborne who was breaking parliamentary convention here – rather than sneak them under the table as secondary legislation, the Lords would indeed not have been able to stop them without breaching constitutional convention. Which just goes to show it doesn’t always pay to be a weasel.
Osborne is hoist by his own petard.
Aah, Tories say. But there is another convention that the Lords do not block secondary legislation.
They are making that one up. There is no such constitutional convention and there are plenty of examples of the Lords blocking secondary legislation. There is a huge quantity of secondary legislation, thousands and thousands of laws – ministers continually are signing off legal changes.
But the entire basis of the secondary legislation is that parliament has delegated to ministers, in Acts, powers to sign off uncontroversial matter. This can be, for example, the detail of regulations needed technically to enforce primary legislation, and the occasional updates needed. Only a very low percentage indeed of secondary legislation ever gets queried by the Lords, but that is not because of a constitutional convention. That is because most of it is dull stuff. But when the government abuses its authority and tries to smuggle vital changes through secondary legislation, the Lords not only has the constitutional right to challenge this abuse, it has the constitutional duty to do so.
I wish they would do it more often. For example, when the Labour Party used Westminster secondary legislation to cede 6,000 square miles of Scotland’s sea to England without parliamentary scrutiny.
Finally, there is a constitutional convention that the Lords do not oppose manifesto commitments on which a government has been elected. But the Tories rather carefully did not put tax credit cuts in their manifesto, and indeed in campaigning said they would not do it.
The British constitution is appallingly undemocratic. The fact that an undemocratic chamber has fended off a proposal from an undemocratic executive which gained the votes of only 37% of the voting electors, is not a blow struck for democracy. It is however a temporary victory for human decency in mitigating an attack on the poor.
It is also an achievement for Jeremy Corbyn. Nobody can truly believe that Labour peers would have been organised to do this under Yvette Cooper or Liz Kendall.
UPDATE Wings Over Scotland has a very different take on the Labour Party performance. That the Labour Party was not radical enough to go for the “fatal” option I am afraid I find unsurprising. It remains a deeply conservative institution. But I had not previously encountered the argument that 90% would lose the money from universal credit anyway, and it is stunningly cynical. But on close consideration, I cannot work out what it means. Either there must be some additional cut to universal credit, or that those who lost tax credit could have regained it on universal credit anyway. If anybody could explain that one further, I should be grateful.
The SNP’s Calum Kerr puts on his thinking cap, to produce his take on everything that is good about and reasons why we should stay in the EU. Expecting to be over-whelmed, to be finally convinced of this anti-democratic lobbyists-paradise’s doubtful worth, or at least to slightly offset its verifiable many harms, the reasons he gives are ..wait for it ..some waffle about roaming costs for mobile-phone users abroad and something as vague about healthcare when abroad.
So basically stay in the frighteningly corrupt EU to subsidise gormless fuckwits yapping away into their mobile phones and texting inanities whilst on their hols, and to save others costs of travel insurance and pay their hospital bills when they walk into a lamp-post whilst yapping away into their mobile phones, squirt suncream in their eyes or break their necks coming down an Alp at speed on two planks of wood whilst switching gas suppliers. This makes the improved sewage treatment claims look positively rational. Are there any advantages at all for those who do not and never intend to ever own a mobile phone, and/or have not and it is likely will never be in the circumstances where travelling abroad became a realistic or in any way at all a desirous possibility.
Look out too, for unfortunately David Mundell is at liberty again after a heavy sesh.
We know USDOTGOV engineered the trading of arms for hostages via cocaine in Iran Contra. Nothing done about that. Nothing will come of this either…
http://www.covertbookreport.com/did-the-cia-pull-a-black-bag-job-on-the-university-of-washington/
“On Friday, October 2, 2015, the University of Washington Center for Human Rights (UW CHR) filed a lawsuit against the CIA in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, alleging that the agency has failed to meet its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The UW CHR is seeking the release of U.S. government documents relating to the 1981 Santa Cruz massacre in El Salvador, as part of its mission to conduct research in support of front-line human rights organizations around the world. Earlier this year, the UW CHR released the first comprehensive report on the massacre, as well as an 18-minute documentary featuring survivors and human rights advocates.
“We believe that the CIA is unlawfully withholding documents regarding a commander of the military operation that resulted in the Santa Cruz massacre, as well as files on a U.S. citizen caught up in the operation,” said Angelina Snodgrass Godoy, Director of the UW CHR.”
So the Grim Reaper, aka IDS, has come up with the bizarre idea to put DWP staff into foodbanks, as if the poor hungry women and children aren’t frightened enough, they’ll now have to see the SS Social Security staff in the foodbank.
In one foul swoop the Grim Reaper has probably frightened off many hungry folk from food banks all over the country.
What next for foodbanks will Michael Fallon, post guards at the foobanks doors, or maybe the not so pretty Priti Patel, will means test hungry folk as they fill their bags with food.
http://www.thenational.scot/comment/the-national-view-suspicion-over-dwps-food-bank-outposts-is-understandable.9346
Is he related to the dacre who runs a certain car German posy brand garage in Norwich and who also owns land and housing and is into Christian schools? Ba’al
I’d like to see IDS in a foodbank. Jointed, vacuum-packed and frozen.
Many jobs in Britain depend on SME’s exporting goods to Europe, exiting the EU could be disasterous for them.
The EU already has free trade agreements in place with 45 countries, including a new deal signed with South Korea in March which will bring an estimated £500m a year to the British economy.
Further trade agreements are currently being negotiated with India and Canada, with potential trade deals with the US and Japan in the pipeline.
If the UK left the EU, we would have to start negotiating these trade deals from scratch.
Moreover, without the weight of the world’s largest common market of 500 million wealthy consumers behind us, we would end up with far less favourable terms when negotiating with the world’s economic superpowers.
Yes the EU is corrupt and reform is required, leaving the EU however could be disasterous for our economy as a whole, their would a long list of countries willing to take our place.
“I’d like to see IDS in a foodbank. Jointed, vacuum-packed and frozen.”
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Baal, I think you’d need to get in line, of a very long long queue.
Infact by the time you reached IDS I’m pretty sure he would have defrosted again.
Katie: “To that end, one of the most intriguing comments that came out of this whole affair from Germaine Greer was the bit where she was quoted saying that transwomen didn’t look, talk or behave like real women.”
It’s disappointing, but not terribly surprising to hear Germaine Greer talking like that. She’s said a good few things which are so off the mark over the years, particularly from someone that intelligent and educated who purportedly aims to be on the side of justice. What is a “real” woman supposed to be anyway? A particularly butch lesbian doesn’t exactly fit the stereotype of a “real” woman either, and can be distinctly less feminine than a lot of men, let alone transwomen.
If a man talked about gays not “looking, talking or behaving like a real man” he’d get a collective roll of the eyes these days. The right of the T part of our society has been overlooked very badly, even as the LGB section gain substantial rights. Perhaps Greer is just getting old, and is behind the times. Hope that doesn’t sound too ageist 😉
Things must be bad, when even the banks are slating the “white elephant” aka Hinckley Point nuclear power station.
Plans for Britain’s first nuclear reactor in almost 30 years have come under sustained attack from politicians and City bankers.
A report from a top bank this weekend warned that the cost of the £25billion Hinkley Point C plant was ‘becoming harder to justify.
HSBC concluded: ‘We see ample reason for the UK Government to delay or cancel the project.
Tory Energy Secretary Lord Howell of Guildford – the self-described ‘pro-nuclear’ architect of a drive into nuclear power under Margaret Thatcher – has told the House of Lords that the reactor plan in Somerset was ‘one of the worst deals ever for British households and British industry’.
He added that he would ‘shed no tears if it was abandoned.
There you have it folks China’s Silk Road expansion, has reaped the benefits.
“Good to know Murray’s Blackshirts are trying to shut me up, means I’m doing something right.”
_______________
Pft…. Poppycock, your not that important Fred, remember that.
After two years of scaremongering and threats:
https://mobile.twitter.com/britnatabusebot
Your insignificant ramblings hardly constitute a raised eyebrow.
Though I do enjoy our we chats Fred.
London Labour’s branch manager in Scotland had me laughing, when she spouted this drivel.
” SNP supporters are robots they’re given a chip, and told what to say and do.”
Has she any idea what she’s just said? Coming from a obedient London Labour lapdog, that’s priceless.
http://wingsoverscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dugbots.jpg
The Whitehall Gazette aka the Telegraph rampi g up the fear factor, as Andrew Parker, tries to help Theresa May bolster the “Snoopers Charter.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11962037/Islamic-State-planning-mass-attack-on-Britain-warns-head-of-MI5.html
Soon we’ll surpass the Patriot Act in public restrictions.
Who was that mentioned Brown Shirts again.
Katie I signed that petition just after you put the link up. Her treatment is outrageous. Cannot imagine what is happening to her.
The Metro says that consideration is being given to moving her.
http://metro.co.uk/2015/10/29/prison-service-considering-removing-transgender-woman-tara-hudson-from-all-male-prison-5468490/
We think of Chelsea Manning – in prison too but for a long time.
‘Manning was sentenced in August 2013 to 35 years’ imprisonment, with the possibility of parole in the eighth year, and to be dishonorably discharged from the Army. Manning is a trans woman who, in a statement the day after sentencing, said she had felt female since childhood, wanted to be known as Chelsea and desired to begin hormone replacement therapy. From early life and through much of her Army life, Manning was known as Bradley; she was diagnosed with gender identity disorder while in the Army.’
I think GG’s comments and regulations as to what women should look and act like were very possibly be directed by her insatiable need for media attention. She’s a media tart extraordinaire.
Chilcot Report to be ready by July 2016, or there abouts but don’t hold your breath.
Sir John Chilcot say the two million word report should be ready by then.
Of course Sir Money Bags John who receives £790 quid a day whilst working on the report, won’t be in a hurry, to publish,afterall, he’s already strung it out for nine years, a good little earner, I might add.
I think I’ll put my name forward to publish the report on Syria or Libya, and earn a tidy wee sum.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/10/29/date-set-for-publication-of-chilcot-iraq-inquiry-report_n_8415586.html?utm_hp_ref=uk
Here’s a brave man. The ostracism must be immense.
Labour veteran Sir Gerald Kaufman claims ‘Jewish money’ has influenced Conservatives
October 28, 2015
Veteran Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman has accused Israel of fabricating the recent knife attacks in the country and claimed the Conservative Party has been influenced by “Jewish money”.
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/148290/labour-veteran-sir-gerald-kaufman-claims-jewish-money-has-influenced-conservativ
Immediately taken up by the Spectator to have a go at Corbyn.
Will Jeremy Corbyn condemn Gerald Kaufman’s comments about ‘Jewish money’ influencing the Tories?
http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/will-jeremy-corbyn-condemn-gerald-kaufmans-comments-about-jewish-money-influencing-the-tories/
The author of the Spectator piece. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bradley
Blair has been trying to get ahead of the report by ‘apologizing’ for everything except removing Saddam.
http://www.corporacioncervesur.com/new.asp?news/article-3285619/Pull-plug-Chilcot-inquiry-says-Blair-minister-Former-Attorney-General-hits-scandalous-delay-publication-report.html
This is the kind of power that cuts across the spectrum and includes oppression of non Jews, and the Jews as in case of Gerald Kaufman a Jew whom cannot talk about the “Jewish Money” and “Jewish influence” because it is verboten!
Although the attack is targeting Corbyn as the nanny and gate keeper not doing his job properly in suppression of Kaufman’s observations.
============
bLiar has got a lot on his mind, the books that are currently being penned are going to leak the facts into the public domain more and more.
While George W. Bush is proud of everything he’s ever done, Tony Blair came dangerously close to facing reality this weekend when he admitted there were “elements of truth” in the view that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was the principal cause of the rise of ISIS (among other catastrophic results).
At the same time, Blair lied that it was an honest mistake based on bad “intelligence,” and claimed there was no clearly superior alternative anyway:
“We have tried intervention and putting down troops in Iraq; we’ve tried intervention without putting in troops in Libya; and we’ve tried no intervention at all but demanding regime change in Syria,” he said. “It’s not clear to me that, even if our policy did not work, subsequent policies have worked better.”
Now, your average unindoctrinated 10-year-old might conclude that overthrowing foreign governments has been a disaster any which way it’s done, and therefore ought not to be done at all. World Beyond War’s mission is to help unindocrinate those who can’t yet see their way to that conclusion.
Please help us by signing and asking others to sign the peace pledge at http://worldbeyondwar.org/individual
Forward this email to everyone you can!
http://worldbeyondwar.org/?can_id=ad2274ba3fcc11256079644a48ff414e&source=email-a-war-criminal-apologizes-sort-of&email_referrer=a-war-criminal-apologizes-sort-of
Rattle those NATO sabers.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-29/nato-looks-station-thousands-troops-border-russia
Any Rangers fans on here?
‘Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been declared bankrupt in the wake of losing an £18m damages claim.
Ticketing firm Ticketus successfully sued the 44-year-old for damages in 2013 over his part in the takeover of the Ibrox club in 2011.
The bankruptcy petition was filed after Mr Whyte failed to pay a judgment debt, currently worth some £20.8m, including interest and legal costs.
Mr Whyte also faces criminal charges over his part in the Rangers takeover.’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34667114
Katie’s petition is doing well, at over 112.500, and rising fast..i’ll put that on my fbook page. shocking antics by bath magistrates, Scoundrels
Mary
Well done Gerald Kaufman.. I have come across numerous cases of murdered teens, many girls, where a Knife has been planted. Sickening what they are getting away with –
http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/10/israeli-soldier-caught-on-video/
A very frightening Place it must be, here is a soul destroying piece –
” Ismail was shot after he refused the policeman’s order to remove his hands from his pockets. Pictures of Ismail, lying in his pool of blood, his body stripped of its clothes by Israeli police, confirm the Palestinian story, there is no knife or screwdriver around…
“When I get to Beit Hanina, I get down to buy some bread from our local baker. As I stand on the counter, an old man walks in distressed and anxious. I look at his face and ask him what’s wrong. He looks at me and says: “Have you ever seen anyone get shot in front of you?” I tell him, fortunately no. He says: “I saw it, just now, they were chasing her, five of them, taunting her, trying to pull her hijab, frightening her, she was petrified.” I tried to calm him down, but he continued: “The moment she crossed the road, a border policeman jumped out of nowhere and fired five shots point blank into her body. It was an execution, it was merciless and I can’t get the image out of my head.” The old man was talking about Farah Bekir, a 17-year-old student from the nearby Abdallah Ben Al-Hussein High School. It later occurred to me that the Israeli man that was waving a large Israeli flag was standing at the very same spot where Farah was shot, celebrating her shooting wave after wave….
” It appears that the police and military rules of engagement have been relaxed to the point where almost any Palestinian who is seen as acting in a suspicious manner can be killed on the spot. This is in line with a recent Facebook post written by an Israeli peace activist working for ICAHD USA confirming that, according to his sources in the Israeli government, the Israeli leadership has given the green light to policemen and soldiers to shoot first and ask questions later. Anyone who shoots a Palestinian is instantly rewarded with praise from the Israeli public, lauded as a national hero who has done his share to save the people of Israel.
https://gramnet.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/on-the-ground-they-killed-ismail/
In the 1911 budget which lead to threatened creation of lots of new cut-price peerages was the introduction of a Land Tax, against which the Lords would surely huff and puff in their own interest. The Land Tax was never introduced, Asquith and Lloyd-George buckled and re-jigged the budget; it’s probable the Land Tax threat was merely a ruse to scare the doublet and hose off their most exalted ones. Criminal investigations I believe later resulted from blatant selling of peerages by the same dastardly pair, very liberally lining their own pockets with the lolly. The HoL reforms that resulted completely emasculated the Upper House and it’s Heid Bummers, Bishops and Squires, as almost any piece of legislation has financial aspects, troops could be sent hither, wars declared and all the Lords could do would be to keep silent or agree, whichever they did the most important other thing for them to do, then and now, was to profiteer.
Ahhh
The rules in my household were Always NO celtic or rangers tops be allowed.. Forbidden… and then i could Play football Properly 🙂
P.s Nevermind I put a couple of videos up over at Squonk, i think you might enjoy them.. for a wee bit of escapeism, as it were. One is of a guy building amazing homes by carving them out of sand…the other is of a brilliant Judo / Jui jitsu display.
On the left Gerald Kaufman was one of the best leaders Labour never had, always sharp and entertaining, earnest, if I had to pick one from the right, it would probably have been Roy Hattersley, even though compared to and by much of the present-day neo-con Labour MPs and their parliamentary coterie, Hattersley would be considered a barking mad loony-lefty. One day someone will write a history of the Labour Party, from its beginnings in the industrial West of Scotland, to its 1980s tragic death in a London wine-bar bog.
Republicofscotland
“..the not so pretty Priti Patel…”
__________________________
As I used to have to do when you used to refer to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as “old droopy chops”, I’m obliged to say yet again to you: “I bet you’re no oil painting either, RoS”. 🙂
It’s curious that you share this obsession about what people look like with Mary, isn’t it.
The fortune I got in the fortune cookie with my takeout Chinese lunch yesterday was “You are pretty.” Since I am a man, this didn’t sound appropriate.
But then, it occurred to me, this was probably a translation problem. In Chinese, “ni shi hao kan” can be used for both “You’re pretty” and “You’re good-looking.”
It probably didn’t occur to them that “You are pretty” would be inappropriate for half their customers.
Anyway, this goes to show that the Chinese too are concerned about people’s appearance.
Ben
I Signed your world beyond war petition too. cheers for the link
Re bliar and Chilcot inquiry..here Alex Salmond, and Jeremy Corbyn react to the news that the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war will publish its findings next year
https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/10153306269891939/
Tony M
“Criminal investigations I believe later resulted from blatant selling of peerages by the same dastardly pair [ie, Asquith and Lloyd George ], very liberally lining their own pockets with the lolly”
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Lloyd George AND Asquith, Tone ?
Can you give readers a reputable source for that claim as it relates to Asquith or have you just got carried away again by the sound of your own voice?
Thanks, Tone.
Can you gi
That was an amusing piece of whimsy from our Transatlantic Friend.
It is to be hoped that his Chinese language skills (of which he reminds us from time to time) are better than his skill at prophecy (of which I’m pleased to remind readers from time to time).
“I would day it is likelier and likelier that Janner will soon die in an unfortunate accident”
from 20 April 2015 refers.