📅 Business of the House

Commons Chamber

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In a heated parliamentary session, the upcoming business of the House was outlined, including debates on significant anniversaries and critical legislation. Paul Holmes, the shadow Leader of the House, criticized the government’s economic policies and performance, pointing to the looming local elections as a key test. Various MPs raised concerns on diverse issues, from healthcare and sports to international crises and local community challenges. The session concluded with tributes to public service and acknowledgment of the ongoing work and debates scheduled for the coming weeks.

Summary

  • Forthcoming Business Schedule:
    • Week Commencing 5 May:
      • Tuesday 6 May: Debate on the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe and victory over Japan.
      • Wednesday 7 May: Final stages of the Data (Use and Access) Bill.
      • Thursday 8 May: Discussions on St George’s Day, English affairs, and brain tumour research and treatment.
      • Friday 9 May: No parliamentary session.
    • Week Commencing 12 May:
      • Monday 12 May: Final stages of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
      • Tuesday 13 May: Opposition-led debate on a topic yet to be announced.
      • Wednesday 14 May: Reviewing amendments related to the Great British Energy Bill.
      • Thursday 15 May: Debates on solar farms and funding for youth services.
      • Friday 16 May: Session for handling Private Members’ Bills.
  • Commendations and Tributes:
    • Appreciation was expressed to parliamentary security and emergency services for their prompt response to an incident near Westminster Bridge.
    • Thanks were given to the King for his support and awareness-raising efforts for cancer sufferers.
    • Recognition of a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine was welcomed.
    • Congratulations to local election candidates and to young musicians and dancers from Falkirk who represented Scotland in New York.
  • Political Commentary and Debates:
    • Criticism of the government’s approach to net zero carbon emissions and economic policies, mentioning low growth rates and high taxes.
    • Discussion on the effectiveness of local government services under different political parties, referencing issues like waste management and council taxes.
    • Debate on the influence of former political leaders on current policies, particularly concerning environmental and energy issues.
  • Concerns and Requests for Debates:
    • Concerns about delays and quality of responses to parliamentary written questions and correspondence.
    • Requests for debates on various topics including economic growth, the role of archives in society, consumer protection from unqualified tradespeople, and the preparedness for climate change impacts such as wildfires.
  • Sports and Community Events:
    • Good wishes were extended to football teams competing in upcoming matches and to marathon runners for their achievements.
    • Mention of the FA Cup final and community sports programs like the Fit, Fed, Fun camps in Wales.
  • International and Humanitarian Issues:
    • Call for attention to the humanitarian crisis affecting Rohingya communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh, including food insecurity.
    • Recognition of members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association visiting the Public Gallery.
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Discussion on the importance of step-free access at train stations and the need for quicker implementation of accessibility programs.
    • Concerns about the proliferation of certain types of businesses on high streets and the need for more trading standards officers to address potential rogue trading.

Divisiveness

The session displays some level of disagreement, particularly centered around policy debates and political critique, but it is relatively mild and often presented in a humorous or indirect manner. Here are the key instances of disagreement and the reasoning behind the rating:

  1. Net Zero and Energy Policy: There is a notable disagreement on net zero policies between Paul Holmes and Lucy Powell. Paul Holmes references Tony Blair’s criticism of the government’s fossil fuel phase-out plan, suggesting it is doomed to fail. Lucy Powell counters this by emphasizing the government’s commitment to net zero and the opportunities it presents, mentioning initiatives like Great British Energy and carbon capture. This disagreement is significant but is handled with references to political figures and policy outcomes rather than personal attacks.

  2. Local Elections and Council Tax: Paul Holmes criticizes the Labour government’s handling of local councils and uses Birmingham as an example of alleged failures. Lucy Powell responds by pointing out that council tax under Labour councils is lower on average. This disagreement involves policy critique and is presented with factual assertions rather than aggressive confrontations.

  3. Football Governance Bill: Lucy Powell highlights the contradiction in the Conservative party’s stance on the Football Governance Bill, noting they voted against a bill they initially supported. This is presented as a factual critique rather than a heated dispute.

  4. General Political Critique: There are instances where Paul Holmes and Lucy Powell engage in light-hearted political jabs, such as comments about the FA Cup final and personal political career paths. These are more playful and less indicative of serious conflict.

  5. Other Topics: The session includes queries and responses on various other topics such as healthcare, transport, and cultural events, which are handled more collaboratively, with the Leader of the House often agreeing to consider debates or meetings on these matters.

Overall, while there are disagreements, they are largely policy-focused and presented with a degree of civility and often humor, suggesting a moderate level of contention that does not escalate to high tension or personal conflict. Therefore, a rating of 2 reflects this balance of mild disagreement within a mostly cooperative session.