Tuesday night, I popped to Parliament for 3 things - a Hansard Society lecture by Jack Straw, a reception by the ABPI launching its manifesto and also the chance to look in on the Local Govt Review debate affecting Suffolk, Norfolk and Devon.
Jack Straw talked at ease but I was surprised that on one hand, the Conservatives reducing the number of MPs (and reducing the costs) was seen as gerrymandering while Labour wanting to introduce the AV system, after 13 years of government was not.
The pharmaceutical industry is really important for our country but the ABPI reception, if I am honest, went on too long with 5 speeches and a play. It didn't leave a lot of time to talk to people in the industry, which is the useful benefit of these sessions for candidates, but never mind.
Finally, I went into the Visitors' Gallery (it may still be called Strangers' Gallery) to catch some of the debate. There were more civil servants on hand to brief the minister than there were Labour MPs in the chamber. Conservatives had quite a few MPs wanting to speak, though only one from Suffolk because the Govt kicked the issue effectively into touch for our county. Norfolk was being debated when I was there and I heard contributions from all 3 parties before it moved on to Devon.
LGR is both costly, unnecessary and would prove to be ineffective for a rural county in my view. I have lived under both systems and in a highly densely populated area, I can see it makes sense - but I think other counties that have moved recently have actually found costs going up and residents feeling even more remote from the decision-making process.
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