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Welsh Liberal Democrats in Neath Port Talbot have slammed Labour and Conservative MPs for voting for a change to the law to remove the public’s right to see MPs’ travel and expenses claims.
The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the Conservative MP David Maclean, would remove any obligation for MPs' expenses to be made public. It would also stop people from finding out what their Member of Parliament has said to other public bodies.
Aberavon and Neath Liberal Democrats have welcomed the launch of a national petition by Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell against the proposals to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information rules. The petition calls on all political parties to back the campaign to stop the change going through.
Below is a message from The Leader of The Liberal Democrats,
Sir Menzies Campbell OBE:
Dear Supporter,
I am shocked that the Labour and Conservative front benches in the Commons have joined forces to vote for a special exemption for MPs from the Freedom of Information Act. This brings Parliament into disrepute.
Liberal Democrats have led the opposition on the floor of the House of Commons and I have decided to launch a national petition so voters can show to the House of Lords (who debate the bill next), Gordon Brown and David Cameron how they feel.
Please visit www.ourcampaign.org.uk/foi to sign our petition and lobby a member of the House of Lords. Please also forward this email to your friends and colleagues.
Thank you for your support.
With best wishes
Sir Menzies Campbell
Liberal Democrats
2 comments:
If it so shameful, how come Ming couldn't even be bothered to turn up and vote against it when it went through the Commons?
Maybe you should be launching a national petition instead to get a leader who actually backs up his words with some useful actions.
How many other party leaders were in the House?
Senior figures have many commitments which are difficult to get out of at short notice - and the raising of this unnecessary Bill to the top of the heap again was unexpected.
Besides, MPs for constituencies well away from London have to get away early at the weekend to get the maximum constituency business done.
I dare say you were one of those criticising Lembit for not attending coalition discussions in Wales. He was one of those who stayed over in London to vote against this Private Member's Bill.
The good news is that so far no peer has come forward to sponsor the Bill in the House of Lords, so it is unlikely to progress.
- Frank Little
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