The Dead Parrot Debate in Westminster.

In today’s European Affairs Debate there were several noticeable contributions, but generally the debate was not worth reporting precisely that from the Government. It was full of misleading references, especially to Article 47 which is taken to mean the right to a fair trial. Surely what was being alluded to is the fact that if a single country will not or cannot ratify a treaty, that treaty cannot become Law, hence is not ratifiable by the other members of the Community.

To debate something that cannot happen is a complete and utter waste of time and energy unless it is part of a purely academic exercise in semantics. That surely is not for within the main Chamber of the House of Commons especially at a time when the poor are being further disenfranchised by economic stupidity, greed and short-sightedness. Of the contributions today, the two most worthy of report were Gisela Stuart, MP for Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne and Quinton, eine Liebe frau von Deutschland and the doughty Aberdonian Richard Shepherd, Conservative MP for Aldridge-Brownhills (on the latter, I note with concern the obvious deterioration in the gentleman’s health and hope he does not follow my Aberdonian friends and become former members of FP’s). The vitriolic attack by the latter on the sycophant MP for Leicester was a Parliamentary masterpiece in an age of cowardice and political doublespeak.

I watched with intrigue as the two MP’s for Blackpool adjusted their speech papers in what I anticipated was to be some earth moving incantation of the upholding of the Rule of Law; as they had stoically partook of the debates in recent days past. I await with anticipation confirmation, through the media of theyworkforyou.com, so to be able to read their intriguing contributions to this week’s activity, on my behalf, within the Westminster Village but will only – sadly - confirm my observation that they are both lacking. There has not been as much as a token cough from Blackpool’s representatives on the floor of the House. That is reflected on the digital coverage received from independent observers.

What anticipation is there for Thursday when there is to be a Defence Procurement debate, where the questions, why?…have to be asked.

Why is it that MoD procurement is amongst the dearest in the World?

Why does the cheapest nut and bolt in the world cost the MoD at least £1 (one pound sterling).

Why are soldier being killed with no proper communications, yet simple global cell phones cost as little as £50 a piece? Has the expensive experience of Foot and Mouth in 2001 gone by with none of the lessons learned?

Why do soldiers have to wait for ineffective vehicles like the Bulldog and the Ridgeback, when they ought to have listened to the Rhodesian veterans and immediately implemented systems, systems which cost coppers, which could and do prevent death from landmines.

Why does Parliament allow thousands of former regular servicemen to be denied their rightful pensions? Because they know they can. In twenty years time I foresee them taking from today's soldiers their pensions as they now wilfully deny wounded soldiers real compensation that a future lifetime of disability necessitates.