Parliament

After hearing word that the peaceful protesters on Parliament Sqaure had lost their appeal I decided to venture down to London to find out!

I took the trusty camera and a couple of friends and had a word with some of the now locals on the square. It seems that they have become a nice little community.

If you believe the polls we may be in for a hung parliament later this year. Charter 2010 have started a campaign based around this possibility which includes comprehensive information on the constitutional issues. First Years in particular should check this out - it might give you ideas about some questions for the MPs we meet at Westminster next week.

I am sure that all first years will have noticed that hours after yesterday's  lecture on electoral reform and the iniquities of First Past the Post that the PM made a surprise announcement about a vote next week on changing the electoral system.  Although I pointed out that Labour cynically ignored the Jenkins commission on electoral reform in 1999 when it no longer needed Liberal support - lo and behold they have rediscovered their enthusiasm - when they reckon on needing Liberal support again.

Following our visit to Westminster and the meeting with Stephen Ladyman you might like to look at this piece which Paul Francis (who will be teaching you Local Government) wrote in today's Kent Messenger. If you have been following the story it turns out that Mr Ladyman was not so keen to reveal MP's expenses!  Since then of course the Government has rapidly abandoned the proposal to block us from finding out exactly how MPs are spending their/our money.