Another key week in Westminster. The Government has shown its utter contempt for Parliament - by programming debates which allow inadequate time for proper reflection, scrutiny and debate - and which breach the usual intervals between each stage.
Tuesday will see the Report and 3rd Reading debates - at the end of which, presumably, the Bill will have "passed" the Lords. [A rejection at 3rd Reading really would set the cat amongst the pigeons.] Ping-Pong will then ensue. The Government will 'invite' the Commons to reject the Lords amendments - and the Bill will be returned to the Lords - who will, I hope, not be steamrollered into accepting this. But eventually the Lords will concede (some or all? of the amendments) - and Mrs May will have her (as yet) unfettered power to invoke Article 50 - and kick off the process for withdrawal.
That is likely to come quickly.
I am terribly saddened at the way that this has been rushed through Parliament. We need to move beyond - and consider what reforms are needed. Never again should a government, especially one with such a small majority, be able to railroad bad legislation (or 'good' legislation for that matter) - Parliament should properly legislate - not rubber-stamp what the Executive proposes.
One of the problems that this whole fiasco demonstrates is, that too few people understand how our democratic institutions work. For the last half century politics has been treated merely as a matter of consumer choice. Buy Brand A, or Brand B. This is more important than that. We AS CITIZENS, have both the privilege and duty to govern ourselves. As fellow citizens we have an interest in our fellow citizens being informed and educated. Without that, disaster looms.
Agreed. The referendum has exposed huge gaps in our education, including understanding of our democratic institutions, the EU and British colonial history. Our current parliament seems unable or unwilling to protect our future. We must move beyond tribal politics and focus on what is best for each and every citizen in the UK. Otherwise, as you say, disaster looms.
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