As noted in the public minutes of the Administration Committee, it is this man, Simon Burns (Tory MP for West Chelmsford) who is responsible for making the suggestion on MP’s queue-jumping.
Keep your eyes out to see if he’s brave enough to make use of his new power.
redtamarin[at]gmail.com
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Yes, Simon Burns put this proposal forward, as noted on the Guido Fawkes blog on Monday!
Anyway, although this vile individual has a lot to answer for, it must have been supported by other members of the committee. The chair needs to take ultimate responsibility.
Linnet said this on October 11th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Noticably, they have completely disregarded the idea to change the layout of the Despatch Box coffee kiosk as a key factor in its overcrowding.
Why oh why can’t they just do me a tea and ponce about with the posh coffee afterwards?
~Ian colne said this on October 11th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Public enemy number one? - are you sure you’ve got your priorities right?
Praguetory said this on October 11th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
And I don’t suppose for one moment that there were any Labour MPs arguing aginst him. In fact a majority of the Labour dominated committee must have voted for this too.
Matt said this on October 12th, 2007 at 12:06 am
How to make friends and influence people - Simon Burns style.
Letters From A Tory said this on October 12th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Simon Burns has a track record of being an extremely pleasant MP to work for - he was simply making the point that MPs are often in a rush.
Tom said this on October 12th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Tom - I am also often in a rush. What’s the difference? Why should MPs have more rights than anybody else? This is a matter of principle about creating official rules about who is more important that others.
Simon Burns didnt simply make a point about MPs often being in a rush - he proposed to a committee that they should be given priority access to services across the Parliamentary estate. I can only guess he would like priority service in every walk of life, if that were possible. What century are we living in here? Can you imagine what the reaction would be if bosses at the BBC or IBM or Sainsbury’s for example decreed that they had priority service in the lunch queue or at an on-site bar? MPs are chosen to represent their constituents’ interests, not to be treated like superior beings.
To push the point, these rules are also applying in the bars - do MPs really need to get a drink quicker than anybody else? Is that what they are there for???
Linnet said this on October 13th, 2007 at 10:40 am
The PR fightback has begun:
Commons Staff Suggestion Scheme
The House of Commons Staff Suggestion Scheme ‘Commons Sense’ is now open for business.
If you have ideas that could improve the way we do things in the Commons, please send them in. You could receive an award of up to £500. Members of the staff suggestion scheme panel will be on hand to answer questions on 16, 17 and 18 October from 1pm - 2.30pm in the Portcullis Cafeteria, 7 Millbank. Staff suggestion forms are available from the intranet, your departmental HR Office or the Office of the Clerk .
Colin Anderson said this on October 15th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I demand you move this very important comment to #1 immediately.
Simon Burns said this on October 15th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Simon never makes me queue, anyway I enjoy standing behind him.
Simon Burns' Assistant said this on October 15th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
MPs are often in rush to do certain things on behalf of their constituents (eg sit in select committees/public bill committees, attend the chamber, table questions or amendments, participate in debates in Wesminster Hall) which their staff, however (self-) important, can’t do on their behalf. That’s why they should take priority.
Tom said this on October 16th, 2007 at 12:47 pm