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June 22, 2005
Electoral Reform apparently not worthy of PMQs
There is an unwritten rule in the House of Commons that if you are a Lib Dem and you mention voting reform, you get laughed at. Tony Blair is no stranger to this rule, as he showed again today, delivering another "why don't you just shut up and stop questioning my legitimacy as your all-powerful God" retort to Charlie K during PMQs.
(From the Guardian's minute-by-minute coverage)
12.05pm
Charles Kennedy raises groans for bringing up electoral reform, saying the government is in power on 35% of the vote - close to "a tyranny of the minority" - pushing through ID cards and restricting protests around Westminster. Does he think Westminster reflects the way people voted?
"Is not that a trifle exaggerated?" laughs Mr Blair. "All electoral systems have their flaws. If we had a system where the Lib Dems were holding the balance of power, would not that be a tyranny of the minority?" Touche.
12.10pm
Unabashed, Mr Kennedy comes back asking for a referendum to replace the scrapped EU constitution one - why not have the one promised in the Labour manifesto on PR in this parliament, he ventures.
There will be a review of electoral systems, says Mr Blair, but dismisses Mr Kennedy's thrust as a "pretty odd set of questions considering what's going on in the world today".
ERS press release - Disappointment over lack of vote reform clarity
UPDATE: Just so you know, those things "going on in the world today" that are more important than British democracy (the top 10 stories on the BBC News website)
1. Tax credits backfire on families
2. Solar sail probe fate unknown
3. Man U shares leave stock market
4. Iraq leaders seek rebuilding aid
5. 'Avoid soya if you want a baby'
6. Immigration abuse fines unveiled
7. Parents 'ignore game age ratings'
8. Royals cost Britain 36m a year
9. Sven lover 'bragged in emails'
10. Giant desk inspires lonely writers
Res ipsa loquitur
Posted by pauldavies on June 22, 2005
