Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Govt accused of "sinister power grab" after committees vote


The Liberal Democrats have accused Theresa May of a "sinister power grab," after the Conservatives won a vote to give themselves a majority on powerful parliamentary committees.

The controversial change will give the government the means to force through legislation, including on Brexit.

A Liberal Democrat amendment was defeated, with the government winning with a majority of 20.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael commented:

"This is a sinister power grab by an increasingly authoritarian Prime Minister.

"The Tories didn't win a majority at the election, but are now hijacking parliament to try and impose their extreme Brexit on the country.

"It is a bitter irony that Brexiteers who spent their careers championing parliamentary sovereignty have now chosen to sell it down the river.

"This wilful eroding of parliament's ability to scrutinise legislation sets a deeply worrying precedent.

"It is now incumbent on all MPs to work together to hold this government to account."

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