Sharpe's Opinion

How You Can Help Persuade MPs to Do The Right Thing

Iain Dale:

On Thursday MPs will in effect vote to overturn a High Court ruling which said that all receipts had to be published retrospectively. LibDem MP Jo Swinson has tabled a motion urging “ministers to block or repeal the order in the interest of MPs’ and peers’ accountability to members of the public”. It is endorsed by Tory MP Richard Shepard and Labour’s David Winnick. And quite right too. This vote is happening because Harriet Harman did a volte face. The vote is scheduled on a Thursday because she thinks MPs won’t bother to turn up. The Guardian says that some MPs are changing their diaries in order to be present and vote down Harman’s order.

The My Society Website TheyWorkForYou has started an online campaign to put pressure on MPs to turn up and vote against the order. You can join a Facebook Group to protest, or you can email your own MP and give them your opinion. Alternatively visit They Work For You and follow the suggestions.

I’m not going to be emailing Margaret Beckett MP, because I don’t think a letter from me would do a damn thing to persuade the witch of anything. However, this is a noble campaign, particularly considering that it appears Gordon Brown has put a three line whip on the over the issue, and I urge in a position to make a difference to go ahead and get in touch with their MP asking them to vote the correct way, and to show their respect for the electorate by publishing their own expenses regardless of the outcome of the vote.

I’ll post more on this tomorrow, when I have time.