Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:32 pm ar 10 Mawrth 2010.
Ann Widdecombe
Ceidwadwyr, Maidstone and The Weald
12:32,
10 Mawrth 2010
Thank you for calling me, Mr. Speaker. I was getting worried because my hon. Friend Michael Fabricant has had two points of order and I had not had any. Over the last 13 years, I have asked you, Mr. Speaker, your predecessors, the Cabinet Secretary, almighty God and just about anyone I can think of to try to get the Government to answer questions-not letters, but questions, which are parliamentary proceedings, Mr. Speaker. What recourse do Back Benchers have against the Government from the Prime Minister downwards when Ministers are determined not to answer questions?
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
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wondesen hailemarayam
Posted on 18 Maw 2010 10:52 am (Report this annotation)
15/03/2010 Statement with Regard to the Human Rights Violations in Ethiopia
Ethiopian Community Members in GB
Dear Sir/Madam
We are writing to you regarding the serious and widespread human rights crisis in Ethiopia, which has created a disaster for many millions of people. Meless Zenawi, the leader of the separatist group, Called TPLF has been committing shocking atrocities against the innocent people of Ethiopia. Killing, torturing and imprisoning is the order of the day. Intentionally encourages ethnic conflicts and as a result hundreds of thousands of people displaced and persecuted. Looting and corruption are rampant. Recognising the above-mentioned facts, Genocide Watch requested an investigation by the UN High Commissioner of Human rights for the crimes committed against humanity in Ethiopia. Mr. Zenawi has not only committed Genocide in Ethiopia but also collaborated with other criminal killers in the Sudan. He has confirmed this by defending Al- basher and condemning the issued arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Zenawi and his separatist army grabbed power taking advantage of the unpopular Military regime and the end of the cold war in 1991 which enabled it to manifest its hidden and evil acts against the whole nation. Ethiopians have suffered a lot and saddened by the continuous human right violation and vandalism. The regime is troublesome for the long-term stability of the Horn of Africa and will negatively affect healthy global collaboration and security. The UK needs to stand closely with the victims of the Ethiopian people and deny all forms of grants, concessional or soft loans that include military training and equipment supplies.
On 15 May 2005, Millions of Ethiopians went out in an overwhelming number and voted against Zenawi’s ruling group. Therefore, it is an illegitimate government and is in power through force and intimidation. The honourable Anna Gomes, the leader of the European Union Observers’ team has confirmed that the election was not a free and fair one and also officially condemned the barbaric killings of more than 200 opposition party members and innocent people right in the streets of Addis Ababa.
What is going on in Ethiopia is of great importance to British Ethiopians living in the UK as most of us still have families, friends and communities at home of origin. We have also learnt that Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 of U.K. authorizes the prosecution in Britain of any person who commits an act of torture anywhere in the world, as defined in the UN Convention against torture in 1984, which Britain has ratified and pledged to enforce. Accordingly we Ethiopians and British Citizens of Ethiopian origin are prepared to exercise our citizenship rights if Mr. Zenawi wants to come to London at any time in the future.
We strongly believe that relationships should be built between people of countries but not with dictators like Meles Zenawi. Understanding this fact will greatly help us to create stability, improve security and development not only in Ethiopia but also in Africa and the rest of the world. It is very important that Britain to take action against this brutal regime and stand by the side of our eternal people. We kindly ask you to join us in solidarity for the people Ethiopia so as to move the issue for further discussions at higher level by supporting an Early Day Motion (EDM) to institute peace, democracy and justice.
With my highest regards
Sincerely yours