Back to Parliament for the election of the Speaker, always the first business after a General Election. This is another curious affair. Michael Martin was unanimously re-elected, but traditions have to be observed: he has to make a speech submitting himself to the will of the House, and has to be "dragged" to the Chair. This comes from centuries ago, when the Speaker was reluctant to take up his position in case the King or Queen "disapproved" of him and showed their displeasure in manifestly unpleasant ways! Michael Martin has been a good Speaker and has overcome some of the initial doubts about him — some of which were very unfair, to say the least.
Geoff Hoon also made his debut as Leader of the House. I hope that he will follow in Robin Cook and Peter Hain's footsteps and take forward the modernisation of the Commons. We took a real step backwards at the end of the last Parliament when we voted to go back to the old sitting hours on Tuesdays, meaning that we start at 2.30pm and go on until very late in the evening. I always feel that we should try and reflect the working hours ordinary people work wherever possible! Hopefully progress can be made on making the House more comprehensible to the layman over the next four to five years.
Posted at 02:13 pm by juliemorgan
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Following in the footsteps of my colleagues Tom Watson and Leighton Andrews, I've decided to start keeping this blog as a new way of communicating with my constituents. I hope you enjoy it!
I was very proud to be re-elected as MP for Cardiff North on May 5. I have enjoyed the last eight years immensely and want to continue my work for our community. Hopefully, this blog will be another way that my constituents can keep informed about my work for them in Cardiff and in Westminster.
Since 1997, I've dealt with thousands of cases on behalf of my constituents. As ever, people can get in touch with me at the constituency office at 17 Plasnewydd, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1NR; telephone (029) 20 624166; fax (029) 20 623661; and e-mail morganj@parliament.uk.
Also, visit my main website here.
Posted at 02:03 pm by juliemorgan
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