Statistics show divide between MPs in Commons (From Salisbury Journal)
If you have a story call our newsdesk on 01722 426511 or email us. To advertise call 01722 426500.
Statistics show divide between MPs in Commons
6:00pm Sunday 3rd February 2013 in New Forest News By Karen Bate
OFFICIAL statistics from an independent body have revealed how often local MPs take part in debates in the Commons.
Hansard reports from the TheyWorkForYou website reveal that since January 2011, New Forest East Conservative MP Dr Julian Lewis has spoken 87 times and has received answers to 39 written questions.
The website, which monitors MPs and peers, says the number speeches and questions from Mr Lewis are both “well above average”.
Already this year, Mr Lewis has spoken in the Holocaust Memorial Day and Nuclear Deterrent debates in the House of Commons.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Julian Lewis has a formidable reputation in the field of defence and disarmament”
In contrast, North Dorset Conservative MP Bob Walter, who covers Verwood and Alderholt, has spoken in five debates and has not received any answers to written questions.
His most recent debates last year in the Commons include community hospitals and the House of Lords reform bill. According to the same website, Mr Walter is “well below average” among MPs.
But Mr Walter is described as an “excellent constituency MP” and much of his work is done through private letters.
New Forest West Conservative MP Desmond Swayne spoke in two debates and received answers to two written questions last year – a performance described as “well below average” among MPs.
However, in September 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Mr Swayne as a Government whip (senior lord commissioner of HM Treasury).
And whips in the House of Commons do not speak in debates.
Mr Swayne said: “Whips do not speak or ask questions. They are ministers whose job it is to deiver the goverment's business.
“This involves work in the chamber and in the standing committees for long hours. Whips arrive first, stay throughout, and leave last.
“In addition i carry the constituency responsibilities and duties of any other member: correspondence; visits; surgeries etc.”
A statement on the TheyWorkForYou reads: “We realise that data such as the number of debates spoken in means little in terms of an MP’s actual performance.
“When you're judging your MP, read some of their speeches, check out their website, even go to a local meeting and ask them a question.”
Comments(16)
karlmarx
says...
6:27am Mon 4 Feb 13
"Payment of £200 from The Salisbury Medical Society, for speaking at a quarterly meeting. Address: The Education Centre, Level 5, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury SP2 8BJ. Hours: 2 hrs. (Registered 10 July 2012)"
I make that £100 per hour.
Shame he supports the Salisbury NHS trust in their attempt to 'save money' by 'altering' the staffs terms and conditions.
I thought they were trying to save money?
karlmarx
says...
6:36am Mon 4 Feb 13
I wonder why?
"Voted very strongly for university tuition fees"
In contradiction to 'supporting education'
"Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year"
Another contradiction (trebling Labours uni' fees and, ignoring the 'coalition partners' promise of 'no increase in student fees'. So much for the 'coalition' partnership.
"Voted very strongly for increasing the rate of VAT"
Thanks, we needed that. Blame the Labour party?
"Voted strongly for more EU integration"
But now wants a referendum on leaving. Yet another u-turn.
"Voted for replacing Trident"
Suddenly found a spare £130 billion lying about in the office drawers?
HorseBurger
says...
9:42am Mon 4 Feb 13
http://www.theyworkf
oryou.com/search/?s=
john+glen
Trolls.
Grampie
says...
10:13am Mon 4 Feb 13
HorseBurger wrote:Which part of the above is misleading?
A quick look on the site confirms that Most of the above is misleading.
http://www.theyworkf
oryou.com/search/?s=
john+glen
Trolls.
HorseBurger
says...
4:34pm Mon 4 Feb 13
In the first page of 20 results for John Glen, in less than a month, he has been commended by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon for his work and asked 6 local-related questions (not including waste disposal points), as well as other questions which are of national importance.
I have a feeling that your mind is made up and you are not interested in the facts. I don't agree with karlmarx either, but at least it is obviously his opinion, rather than erroneous statements of fact
byeway
says...
6:58pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Grampie
says...
7:59pm Mon 4 Feb 13
HorseBurger wrote:Look further back than a month. I used the word often and if you follow my posts you would know that I have congratulated him on occasions for issues raised.
Especially all your points.
In the first page of 20 results for John Glen, in less than a month, he has been commended by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon for his work and asked 6 local-related questions (not including waste disposal points), as well as other questions which are of national importance.
I have a feeling that your mind is made up and you are not interested in the facts. I don't agree with karlmarx either, but at least it is obviously his opinion, rather than erroneous statements of fact
Many of the local issues he raises can be dealt in other ways than asking questions in parliament.
I am sure he doesn't get upset with a bit of political banter and niggling. Members of his party do it all the time, so why can't we?
Have you checked out how much he claimed for accommodation expenses in 2010-2011?
karlmarx
says...
7:42am Tue 5 Feb 13
HorseBurger wrote:It's still £100 per hour no matter which way you want to dress it up. Hypocrisy at it's most disgusting.
Especially all your points.
In the first page of 20 results for John Glen, in less than a month, he has been commended by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon for his work and asked 6 local-related questions (not including waste disposal points), as well as other questions which are of national importance.
I have a feeling that your mind is made up and you are not interested in the facts. I don't agree with karlmarx either, but at least it is obviously his opinion, rather than erroneous statements of fact
A
The votes cast by this bussed-in Tory MP in Parliament are there for all to see. Truly shocking is an understatement.
HorseBurger
says...
1:06pm Tue 5 Feb 13
You may also notice from what you posted that the Salisbury Medical Society is not the NHS. It is a completely different organisation, so you have no grounds whatsoever for accusing him of hypocrisy.
Opinions are fine. Prejudice, insults and lies make you a Troll.
HorseBurger
says...
1:26pm Tue 5 Feb 13
There are certainly a lot of sub-human MPs and ex-MPs, and plenty of behaviour that beggars belief. Many MPs were caught with their hands in the till, and there are probably still a few who need to be flushed out for that and other things. Although the Tories have not been involved in the more recent scandals, it's not really a party thing.
Grampie
says...
2:22pm Tue 5 Feb 13
"John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of nappies recycled by
the Knowaste facility in West Bromwich to date?"
What has that got to do with Salisbury. I understand his concern about disposable nappies as he has put down questions about this subject in the past, but it costs time and money for these questions to be answered. Why didn't he write direct to someone in the Knowaste facility in West Bromwich?
Here is another in December "John Glen (Salisbury, Conservative)
Salisbury has submitted an application for a science university, a university technical college and a free school sixth-form; we also have two outstanding grammar schools and a recent encouraging report from Sarum Academy. Does the Minister agree that that diversity of provision allows opportunities for all children from all backgrounds?"
What was the point of that question? Did he expect the minister to say he disagreed?
Perhaps he should have called for all children to have a grammar school standard of education, instead of continuing this divisive system where children are labelled as failures at 11 years old.
Lady Tinky Winky
says...
6:44pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Horseburger ( like your name ) you should be aware that Grampie is really Grumpie! ( joke)
I would like to put the cat among the pigeons and blame the labour party for everything, particularly that well known multi-millionaire Tony (B)liar. Who changes a fortune to speak, I would pay him to shut up!
But then I think all politicians are tarred with the same brush whatever their party.
Sorry if I have used any politically incorrect idioms!
Grampie
says...
10:59pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Well done for blaming the labour party for everything. If it wasn't for their policies of letting the bankers get away with ruining the world economy, everything would have been fine. At the time, the multi-millionaire and well known towel folder,Oddy Osborne wanted to relax the banking rules and the economy is getting worse since he was controlling the country's purse.
Aided and abetted by the son of a millionaire tax dodger, both of whom give tax breaks to the wealthy and cut benefits to disabled people.
Two thirds of the current cabinet are millionaires according to the Telegraph http://www.telegraph
.co.uk/news/politics
/9290520/Exclusive-C
abinet-is-worth-70mi
llion.html
Cameron is worth £4 million and he has only been PM for a couple of years and stands to inherit £25 million.
Labour leader Ed Miliband and his brother David are worth £1.9 million each apparently.
Grampie
says...
10:18am Wed 6 Feb 13
He also supports a group who say that being gay can be cured. http://www.pinknews.
co.uk/2012/04/24/mp-
john-glen-refuses-to
-cut-ties-with-gay-c
ure-charity/
How strange is that?
On the other hand, his neighbour, Desmond Swayne voted in favour (read his views from the Commons-Common sense on this issue).
Dear old millionaire Claire Perry (Con Devizes) did not vote, apparently.
Sustainer
says...
10:43am Wed 6 Feb 13
For my own education if this is a matter of equality, which i guess most of us would support, why is adultery excluded in gay marriage law as is non consummation as reasons for divorce? Just two things which continue to generate inequalities.
Also, if this is the best way to create equality why the rush because by rushing there is insufficient quality time to consider all the implications and how best to address them.
Grampie says...
12:21am Mon 4 Feb 13
.mail.live.com/defau
lt.aspx#!/mail/Inbox
Light.aspx?n=4119108
38!n=260597918&fid=1
&fav=1&mid=324b4596-
6c4b-11e2-bbeb-00237
de41794&fv=1
Our local MP, John Glen often ask inconsequential questions. Most of his questions have nothing to do with local problems. Invariably they just waste the time of ministers.
Interesting site, though.