John and Ann wrote... >From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Randolph Lee >>On Oct 27, 2006, at 12:25 PM, Phil Rushton wrote: >>> I am a little confused by that statement as her husband, >>> who is the Tory MP for the adjoining constituency, has >>> signed EDM 2757. > >>Would someone like to translate/explain that to those of us >>not up on the arcane points of parliamentary procedure? >>I am more than a little confused as to why any MP Front or >>Back bench is not able to sign on to anything they agree with! > >I would guess that Front bench can only sign things that the Prime Minister >approves of! That is if they wish to keep their job. > An Early Day Motion is a device that allows Back Benchers to raise the profile of issues. In theory it is a call for a debate on an issue, but in practice very few of them actually get debated. However, it is a device by which Back Benchers can show their support for the matter in question as it often reflects the strength of feeling of constituents. EDM 2757 has 107 names and rising, which sends a strong signal to those in office that this is an issue about which there are strong feelings.
Front Benchers do not sign EDMs, but that is nothing to do with the Prime Minister's approval, as this also applies to Opposition Front Benchers. Front Benchers have other ways of exerting influence, and we should ask them to do just that. -- Martin Clark Internet Boaters' Database http://www.boaterweb.co.uk Pennine Waterways Website http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
