Latest Fatuous Political Idea That Won't Happen
Public to choose policies as coalition gets the X Factor | Politics | The Guardian
The government is to follow the lead of The X Factor television programme and allow the public to decide on legislation to be put before MPs.
In an attempt to reduce what is seen as a disconnection between the public and parliament, ministers will ensure that the most popular petition on the government website Direct.gov.uk will be drafted as a bill. It is also planning to guarantee that petitions which reach a fixed level of support "most likely 100,000 signatures" will be guaranteed a Commons debate.
Ministerial sources acknowledge that the proposals have the potential to cause headaches for the coalition because populist causes célèbres - such as a return of capital punishment or withdrawal from the European Union - could come top of the list.
Very sticky if the public was allowed to suggest laws they actually wanted - bring it on.
Comments
It is also planning to guarantee that petitions which reach a fixed level of support "most likely 100,000 signatures" will be guaranteed a Commons debate.
Note: "a Commons debate". No promise of it being given parliamentary time, no promise of MPs being given a free vote. It's a hollow attempt to make people think they're in touch, with no intention of doing so.
Although forcing parliament to debate a petition on a referendum to exit the EU might stir things up.
Posted by: Tim Almond | December 29, 2010 7:16 PM