Parliament would sit throughout next summer if the Tories win power

From tomorrow's Guardian:

"A new Conservative government may keep parliament sitting through next August in an attempt to show its determination to implement its manifesto commitments, a source has disclosed. The move would send a message of a symbolic break with the current parliament's self-serving practices, the source said...

Working through the summer would also show the willingness of the Cameron government to make personal sacrifices as it asks Britain to take some very tough medicine, including public sector pay freezes and job losses.

With MPs' standing at an all-time low, largely owing to the expenses scandal, the shadow cabinet is aware that extraordinary steps have to be taken to restore trust. It would also be taken as a dramatic symbol of the Tory slogan "we are all in this together".

Some shadow cabinet members are arguing that the Conservative government would rapidly be seen as just like its predecessors if it administered some unpalatable spending cuts in the emergency budget only to head off on an extended summer holiday less than three weeks later. They also fear political momentum would be lost."

I hope this is true. It sends exactly the right message.

Tim Montgomerie