CentreRight

When do MPs not vote with their conscience?

Cameron hit home at PMQs when he asked why Brown wouldn't let his MPs have a free vote on the elements of the HFE Bill that were issues of conscience. The issue has been snowballing since then, culminating over the Easter weekend with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor being the latest Church leader to speak out on the bill, and today with the broadsheet editorials united in backing a free vote.

But what exactly is a "vote of conscience"?

Is it code for letting religious folk conscientiously object? If so, who is to say which issues they are allowed to object on? When religion and politics intertwine into a worldview, putting some votes into a "religious box" is an arbitrary decision. Why not offer the same freedom for non-believers? And what votes aren't votes of conscience? Is this simply a way of avoiding neutralising controversial ethical issues? It's all very grey.

Easter - suffering and hope

Following Tim's very moving piece, I want to add my own Easter reflection. Today we celebrate Christ's resurrection. On Friday, we remembered his death - the world's ultimate unjust trial, the most brutal flogging, history's most infamous miscarriage of justice, the greatest execution of an innocent, indeed perfect, man.

Whatever you believe about Easter, Good Friday, God, Jesus Christ and Christianity, there is a message about today, and about Good Friday, which is deeply profound and deeply relevant to the world we are in. If you believe, as I do, in the message of the Gospels, the divinity, the death, and the resurrection, of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour, then this weekend takes on a personal importance. It is, along with Christmas, the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. But even if you do not believe in the actual story of Jesus Christ, the symbolism of the message is still of profound importance.

A God that never gives up on us

Over recent years my own faith has gone through lots of changes.  My Christian faith is characterised by more respect for the 'otherness' of a mysterious, creator God.  My beliefs aren't so black and white.  I try to be much more respectful of difference.  But the heart of my faith is the same.

I still believe in a forgiving God, who conquered sin this Easter Day.  On the wall next to me now is a postcard-sized copy of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son.  The story of the prodigal son remains, for me, one of the most powerful stories ever told.  It's a story of a loving God who never, never gives up on us.  I've just re-read Henry Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son, the cover of which is Rembrandt's engrossing painting.

Pasted below is an extract from Philip Yancey's What So Amazing About Grace?  It's a modern re-telling of the prodigal story.  I can't ever read it without the tears welling up.

Is it possible for a politician to be sincere?

Since Barack Obama’s “A more perfect union” speech I have thought a great deal about the question of political sincerity. Shortly after his retirement the well-liked John Cole, BBC political correspondent, said that most politicians were decent people with honourable objectives. And yet in our modern political age, dominated by spin and focus groups, any politician attempting to speak from the heart, to speak with conviction, to speak inspirationally, is greeted with cynicism and disbelief.

Tony “Im a pretty straight sort of guy” Blair has much for which to answer. I cannot listen to a word he says without thinking of calculating hypocrisy. I reached the stage with Patricia Hewitt that I had to turn the sound of when she appeared on television. Barack Obama’s speech was different. A speech born of necessity, certainly, but a speech that was both intelligent and inspirational. And, God knows, we need an inspirational American President.

I have been discussing this with Iain Dale. Is it possible for a modern politician to make a sincere and genuinely inspirational speech? I issued a challenge. Give me an example of such a speech made by a British or American politician since 1950, the start of the television age. The commonest suggestion has been...

It's time for charities to do more and campaign less

In a somewhat sinister article in Wednesday's Guardian, it is reported that charities may lose funds if they lobby against the Government.

In essence, the report states that a DfID Directive states that: any charity seeking grants from Dfid, will not get any funding if they are involved in any lobbying "for or against activities of particular companies and institutions (which include Government)".

This is despite Cabinet Office Secretary Ed Milliband, saying only recently that funding was certainly NOT dependent on charities taking particular political or policy positions.

Nick Robinson attacks Jeremy Paxman's handling of the news

My headline is a lie but I wanted to get your attention.  Just imagine if BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson had popped up on Newsnight's video link to tell Jeremy Paxman or Kirsty Wark that they had spent the whole of their programme focusing on the wrong issue.  Unlikely but it would be great to watch.

Well watch this... Fox News' Chris Wallace appears on screen to tell the three presenters of Fox & Friends that they have mis-spent two hours of prime time TV unfairly bashing Barack Obama and missed other bigger news topics.  The Fox & Friends trio had been discussing Senator Obama's "typical white person" remark.  They don't like their colleague's intervention.  My guess is we haven't heard the end of this.  Brilliant stuff.

Are Catholics welcome in Labour?

Today is Good Friday, when Catholics commemorate the death of Christ on the cross with fasting and abstinence from meat. We have several Catholics as members of the Cabinet. The Daily Mail report this Good Friday is chilling to me as a Catholic and parliamentary candidate. It speculates that
Catholics in the Cabinet may either have to resign or be forced to commit a serious sin of scandal.

The Embryology bill wending its way through Parliament is anathema to Catholics, and I use the word advisedly. For months, Catholic churches across Britain have been praying for its defeat. Geoff Hoon, Labour's Chief Whip, is quoted in the "source close to" format, disgracefully, as saying Catholic members of the Cabinet must not prevent passage of this bill.

Nelson Mandila collected me from the airport

I was picked up from the aircraft in Johannesburg by Mr Nelson Mandila.

That really was his name. He was an extremely kind porter. Given that there was a twenty minute walk from the aircraft to the luggage carousel, and another thirty minute wait there, we struck up a most interesting conversation.

Mr Mandila told me he was very worried for the future of South Africa.  There were daily power cuts (something I witnessed for myself when staying at my friend's in the evening). Moreover, the electricty company had wanted to put up prices by 60%. But the biggest concern was crime. This was a plague on all South Africans. Barely a day went by when there was not some serious robbery or murder. Whilst the rich lived in gated communities with guards and barbed wire, the poor could only suffer.

Mr Mandila told me that if crime was not seriously sorted by the Government, he doubted may tourists would risk coming to South Africa for the World Cup.  And speaking of the World Cup, I found out that the projects had been seriously delayed because of corruption and endemic cost overuns. So an interesting first day in what is a beautiful and captivating country.

Related link: Robert's experience at Heathrow.

Gorbachev the secret Christian

This extraordinary story sheds new light on the end of cold war.

Rod Dreher has more.

Happy Easter.

In defence of Barack Obama

The race row surrounding Barack Obama and his controversial pastor continues to dominate US politics. Tim links to a viral video that might cost the Senator a vote or two.

By way of balance, here's Mike Huckabee, who without condoning the Reverend Wright's rantings, offers some much needed perspective.

McCain's plan to solve the health economy

The best explanation yet of what McCain's plans are for health in the USA from Fortune Magazine.

He needs to demonstrate how he'll provide for those with long-term conditions, but in the words of Shawn Tully, "on economic merits, McCain wins. For all its problems, at least it puts the consumer in charge...It will create a world where health care is treated as the precious resource that it is."

We must win in Iraq

Five years after the start of the Iraq war here are the reasons why I still support the decision to topple Saddam Hussein and why I support those politicians, McCain and Bush primarily, who are determined to prevail:

Saddam was a menace to the world and to this people.  A terrible abuser of human rights, he had gassed his own people, harboured terrorists and invaded his neighbours, notably Kuwait.  As long as he remained in power he was a threat to the stability of the region.

For the years after the liberation of Kuwait the UN sanctions regime had served to contain him but the oil-for-food regime had become corrupted and was close to complete breakdown.  The status quo was no longer tenable.

By ousting him the world sent a strong message to all dictators in the region and across the globe that they might not be beyond the reach of justice.

The EU and passengers who can't carry their bags

On my way to South Africa via Virgin Airways, I was assisted by a very nice lady with my luggage. Her role was to help passengers who faced walking difficulties. As we chatted she told me she had done the job for ten years but was soon to be made redundant. When I asked why, she said that an EU Directive had decreed that airlines were no longer allowed to provide assistance for passengers with difficulties.

The EU Directive meant that only airport operators (e.g. BAA) would be allowed to organise assistance for passengers.  Apparently this had come about because a couple of years ago, a disabled passenger had sued Ryanair for charging for wheelchair assistance. So instead of dealing with one problem, the EU passed an all-encompassing directive.

If anything symbolises the heavy handed nature of the EU, this is it. Now thanks to the EU, passengers will have to rely on the competence of BAA - which from experience will fill anyone with trepidation.  Interestingly, my soon-to-be-redundant helper maintained a wonderful cheery disposition despite knowing she was to lose her job soon. She added that Mr Branson had had no idea about the EU Directive and had been shocked!

McCain visits Brown and Cameron

Senator John McCain is in London today and has met Prime Minister Gordon Brown (above) and Tory leader David Cameron.

Speaking outside Downing Street, Senator McCain praised the "unique relationship" between Britain and America and thanked the British armed forces for their long and dedicated service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He said that he was a "great admirer" of Gordon Brown and singled out what he said was the Prime Minister's leadership on climate change and Africa.  The US Senator said that he was "confident" that, as President, he could persuade China and India to join a comprehensive agreement that would tackle global warming.

He told British reporters that the surge of troops into Iraq was working and that America must finish the job of creating a "functioning democracy" in the nation even if that functioning wasn't very effective.  Withdrawal now, he warned, would mean victory for al-Qaeda, chaos in Iraq and further sacrifice for Americans in years to come.

Gordon Brown presented Senator McCain with a signed copy of historian Martin Gilbert's Second World War.

Brussels closed your post office

In the political theatre of the Post Offices row last night, I think it is interesting to focus not on Party in-fighting, which actually grinds the gears of most voters, but who really legislated for this decision on behalf of the British voters. The Post Office “liberalization” legislation which has led to the closures is due to imposed postal services liberalization on a Directive from Brussels. The decision had long been surrendered by the UK Government to our European government in Brussels.

The decision to close or leave open the Post Offices was not made last night at all. It was made in the instructions of EU Directive 2002/39/EC, which was voluntarily agreed to long ago by the Government. Full liberalization of postal services will be achieved by 2009. Could all MPs have reneged on this legislation? In theory, yes, albeit with some difficulty. In practice, they never seem to.

I think the Tories gave it a good shot. However, last night’s vote was a confirmation of who really has the whip hand over the British people.

Viral video attacks Obama's links with his 'God damn America' pastor

After 2011 - who should get a 0% increase in government funding?

Ok. This government seems to think that it would be acceptable to raise taxes going into a possible recession. Well I don't. What about making the public sector share the proceeds of economic pain come the downturn?

With that in mind, I've decided to draw up a starting list of where we should aim to have a 0% increase in spending after 2011 and the benefits that could be had - not just tax cuts - by 2015.

1. The Regional Development Agencies - are amongst the most indefensible creation of the Blairite era, yet they continue to pump them full of money. Worse, the government even knows they don't work. As the  government's own report said, RDAs "appear to have made no discernible difference to long-run patterns of  uneven regional development in England". RDAs face a huge internal contradiction. On the one hand, their role is to accelerate development in a certain region. On the other, their job is to equalise regional economic disparities with other regions. Success then in one objective undermines the other. The idea that you can equalise the distribution of economic growth through Soviet-style planning is asinine. England's 9 RDAs received an additional £335m in 2007. From 2011-2015 there could be a saving of £1.2bn.

Beat this for hypocrisy?

Louise Bagshawe did an excellent post earlier on the important vote tonight in the Commons on post office closures. The Government only carried the day on a vote of 288 to 268, which I think makes it the closest vote since Gordon Brown became PM, but doubtless Philip Cowley will give us the definitive view tomorrow.

Louise talked about her opponent, Phil Hope MP, as a Government Minister ramming through the Post Office closure programme, whilst campaigning locally to "save" them. He told the Commons today when faced with the charge of hypocrisy that

"My Corby constituents hold me in extremely high regard. They like the fact that I stand up and campaign on their behalf".

We all laughed at that one on our benches. As Louise suspected, he did go ahead and vote for the closures at the end of the day. This is bad, and is the sort of behvaiour that gives politicians a bad name.

On the stump

I'm just back from canvassing for Boris in St Peter's Square, a beautiful part of Ravenscourt Park Ward in Hammersmith and Fulham. A couple of years ago while standing for the local council I was prevented from canvassing there as it was cordoned off to film Miss Potter. There were horse boxes everywhere and people striding about in period costumes.

This evening it was more accessible and after seeing the Boris opinion poll lead I was interested to see what it felt like on the ground. It was encouraging. Several people who had voted Labour in the past pledged their vote to Boris.

What was also noteable was how the attitudes between generations have switched. In the past I would speak to a married couple who were voting Conservative and then ask about their sons and daughters aged over 18 and still living at home and on the electoral register. Often the idea that the youths would bother to vote would be regarded as something of a joke. But this evening if the parents sounded hesitant it would be their offspring who would come pounding down the stairs to my assistance, telling their parents they "must support Boris."

By the way those who wish to register for a Postal Vote need to do so by April 16. Those fortunate enough to live in Hammersmith and Fulham use this link http://www.lb hf.gov.UK/Images/Postal_voting_application_Cm21-75570.pdf for the rest of you I suppose if you dig away on your own local Council website you will find an equivalent form.

Big Labour rebellion on Post Offices

The Conservatives have played a blinder tonight with an Opposition Day debate on Post Office closures. Copying the exact wording of a Labour MP's EDM on stopping closure of local post offices, which was signed by 35 Labour MPs, the Tories called for a halt to this divisive programme of closures. Alan Duncan was assured and measured leading the debate for our party, taking interventions and leavening his remarks with both common sense and humour.

Result? the Conservative proposal was defeated by a mere twenty votes. At least 19 principled Labour MPs voted with us. A serious rebellion and a great credit to our party's fight for the Post Office network.

OK! End equalities legislation! But what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander...

Since long before the 'A' list, the Conservative Party has been biased in its recruitment, in favour of women applicants.  This is today, as it always has been, principally for the perfectly good reason that we wanted to have more women candidates and MPs - not as part of some crusade to help women (not that there would have been anything wrong in that, but it happened not to be the reason), but, rather, because having more women candidates and MPs would make us a more skilled and successful political party.  To put it a different way, our discrimination in favour of women has been because of a business case, not a moral case.

There are many firms that would have a strong business case for recruiting extra women that would like to be able to advertise specifically for them but cannot, because of equalities legislation.  In many consultancy and sales settings, it is attractive to be able to present a mix of faces so as to appeal to a variety of potential clients.  In other settings, the issue of wanting to hire women is not one of diversity, but of preferred business model.  Some mid-life women would prefer to work in small teams with other mid-life women.  But they could not advertise: “50-something woman wanted to work in three-woman team”.

Gordon Brown misleads the House on EU foreign and defence powers

Today in the House of Commons the Prime Minister said that:

“The European Union does not have an official role in foreign and security policy; it is an intergovernmental organisation, in part for dealing with defence and security policy.”

This statement is not only false but it contradicts the text of the treaty this Government is forcing onto the British people.

In the House of Commons we spent less than six hours debating the foreign, security, and defence policy aspects of the Lisbon Treaty. Not a lot of time to debate issues that will have an effect on the future of Britain’s foreign policy and the transatlantic alliance. Although the Lisbon Treaty makes sweeping changes in the area of European Union defence integration Des Browne was nowhere to be seen throughout the debate.

Will Poland show Britain the way to democracy?

Following on from Greg Hands’ post yesterday, it is worth noting that the lower house of the Polish parliament (Sjem) continues its debate on the Treaty of Lisbon today, and it would be a perfect opportunity for the Polish Parliament to kill off the Treaty. It is in the interests of democracy that the Bill implementing this Treaty in Poland is stopped.

Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, knows that the Treaty needs a two-thirds majority to go through both Houses of Parliament, and must now be aware that the implementing Bill and the Treaty do not guarantee Poland's exemptions from the Treaty’s provisions or its associated Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Time for China to ratify the ICCPR

It is less than six months since I visited Lhasa with a cross-party Parliamentary delegation. It's particularly shocking when you see on TV streets and squares that you yourself have visited turned into scenes of riot and slaughter. With very few western reporters in Tibet and strict state control over the media and Internet access, it is hard to be certain of exactly what happened.

It looks as though what started as peaceful protests by monks to mark the anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight to India in 1959, spiralled into rioting directed at Han Chinese and Muslim people living in Lhasa and a ferocious crackdown by the Chinese authorities. As a party, we have called upon China to exercise restraint in its response to the crisis in Tibet and we welcome the call by the Dalai Lama for Tibetans not to use violence.

LibDems terrified of empowering voters

I hope all Tory PPCs facing LibDem opponents are checking out Iain's blog. He has an amazing scoop; actual documents and presentations from a LibDem parliamentary awayday in Henley. There are questions about whether the donation in kind was proper and declared, but it's the policy that interests me. Iain's documents expose LibDem doubletalk on the reality of a Labour or Tory win at the next election. There are some hilarious moments, when they talk about wanting PR but "it must be legislation, not a referendum". Sound familiar? The LibDem leadership, then and now, are terrified of letting voters make a choice, whether it's on voting systems or the European Constitution.