A changing point in British politics?
‘Some argue that it does, that nothing will be the same again. The British people, it is suggested, now demand an almost revolutionary alteration in how political life is conducted. There could even be riots. Or a break-up of the party system. Or a massive growth in fourth-party voting and support for independent candidates. Or all of these.’ – David Aaronovitch, The Times
‘Seize this moment to make real constitutional change, bring in proportional representation for the Commons, a fully elected Lords and clean party funding. It’s too late now for a fag-end government to command the power to do it. Hubris and the arrogance of a huge majority caused Blair to abandon reform in the early days. Now it would smack of last-gasp gerrymandering to save parliament’s sorry necks. But a formidable array of reformers is gathering to demand a referendum on the principle of PR and Lords reform to be added to the ballot paper at the next election. Let the people decide if they want to blow fresh air into parliament.’ – Polly Toynbee, The Guardian
‘The moat is a metaphor for the barrier between the voters and their elected representatives. A revolution is under way, and not just in politics.’ – Rachel Sylvester, The Times
‘Scapegoats will get us nowhere unless we, as voters, decide what we want from our politicians. Watching BBC’s Question Time last week – often an anti-politics festival these days – with the audience baying for blood was a depressing experience. The audience was understandably angry, but they have responsibilities too in deciding what sort of democracy they want. Instead their fuming anger leads only to the hailing of contradictory objectives, as far as it is possible to measure any objectives at all.’ – Steve Richards, The Independent
Martin faces more pressure
‘The Commons Speaker is to meet party leaders to discuss expenses reforms, as pressure mounts for him to quit.’ – BBC
‘In the Commons yesterday Mr Martin proved why he is not up to the job. His much anticipated statement to MPs was expected to give two clear messages: one, that parliament understands and regrets the damage that has been done; the other, that it is focused on putting the wrongs right. In the event, however, Mr Martin’s statement fell short on content and delivery.’ – Editorial, The Guardian
‘The overall result was that a grave parliamentary occasion became a farce. Anyone viewing the spectacle would have gained the impression that Parliament was so far from being able to deal with the crisis facing it that it would even muff having a debate about a debate. And it is for this reason that Parliament needs Mr Martin to resign and a new Speaker to be elected.’ – Leader, The Times
‘Michael Martin is finished as Speaker of the Commons. It is now a question of when, not whether. His remaining authority was irreparably damaged yesterday when MPs from the three main parties told him to his face that he should go.’ – Peter Riddell, The Times
Whips’ expenses claims published
‘The focus in the row over MPs’ expenses has shifted to claims made by the Labour and Conservative chief whips.
The Daily Telegraph has published details on expenses claimed by Labour’s Nick Brown and the shadow chief whip, Patrick McLoughlin.’ – BBC
Labour’s National Executive Committee meets
‘Labour activists are pushing the party’s national executive to support local parties that would like to punish MPs who have broken the spirit of expenses rules as well as the actual rules.’ – Allegra Stratton, The Guardian
‘The Labour Party’s grassroots is losing patience with Gordon Brown over his handling of the controversy over MPs’ expenses.’ – Andrew Grice, The Independent
Conflict in Sri Lanka
‘Sri Lankan leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has declared the country “liberated” from Tamil Tiger rebels after a 26-year war.’ – BBC
‘Clashes between pro-Tamil protesters and police outside the Houses of Parliament have left 21 officers and 11 demonstrators injured.’ – Sky News
‘The Sri Lankan Army is celebrating victory as its elite forces occupy the Tamil Tigers’ last refuge at the Mulathive Lagoon, thanks to Chinese military aid. Since 2007 China has equipped the Sri Lankan Government with all the weapons and support the rest of the world had denied it, in return for permission to build a strategic port at Hambantota in the south.’ – Michael Clarke, The Times
Indian election
‘Happily, most of India’s 420 million voters rejected the siren calls of religious sectarianism, narrow caste interest and local grievance, preferring the inclusive and tolerant message of Congress and its allies. The party also did an impressive job of appealing to India’s younger voters – something for which that scion of the Gandhi/Nehru clans, Rahul Gandhi, has been awarded particular credit.’ – Leader, The Independent