They have a new innovation in the House of Commons called Topical Questions. This allows Oral Questions to Ministers to be put down nearer to the day in case something exciting happens that they want to cross-examine Ministers on.
At the moment, it seems to consist of Labour MPs thanking Ministers for visiting their marginal constituencies trying to save their bacon. Whilst it puts the Ministers on the spot – which is a good thing – it also reveals how little they actually know of what they’re supposed to be responsible for! “I cannot tell the hon. Gentleman that, but I will write to him, and then I will tell him” as one Minister replied yesterday – is that to tell him he’s written, or to tell him the answer?
Joan Humble had a classic yesterday. I am sure she was trying to take credit for the Council’s efforts to put the Blackpool back into Blackpool Tower – but it didn’t quite come off (nor is it going to, frankly):
T10. [312982] Mrs. Joan Humble (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood) (Lab):
Further to the Secretary of State’s visit to Blackpool, when I and my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Marsden) had an opportunity to show him much of the regeneration taking place in the town, has he had an opportunity to consider what role his Department can play in the exciting plans for Blackpool council to take over the winter gardens and tower as part of that regeneration strategy?
Ms Rosie Winterton: I know of the support that my hon. Friend has given to this project, which I understand is being looked at jointly with the regional development agency and the Department for Transport. It is an exciting project, and such regeneration is important. It is another example of the Government and local councils understanding that, in times of economic difficulties, it is important to intervene in such areas-unlike the approach of the Conservative party.
Errr …. Rosie, Blackpool Council is Conservative-controlled. I’m glad you think regeneration is important and that it is an exciting project. But would you have said that if your briefing notes had told you Blackpool Council was Tory? I wonder whether Joan and Gordon pointed out to nice Mr Denham on his visit all the things that have happened regeneration-wise since May 2007 when Labour got kicked off the Council?
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