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May 20, 2007
How your MP voted on the FOI Bill
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Those MPs who voted for this bill should be ashamed. There can be no honest reason for special exemption for MPs: the pathetic excuse that its aim is to protect the privacy of voters just does not hold water, given that the original wording provides such protection.
Les Burns, Burbage, Hinckley, Leicestershire
Those MPs who voted for this bill should be ashamed. There can be no honest reason for special exemption for MPs: the pathetic excuse that its aim is to protect the privacy of voters just does not hold water, given that the original wording provides such protection.
Les Burns, Burbage, Hinckley, Leicestershire
One important aspect of the recent utterly disgraceful vote in favour of the FoI exemptions Bill which has not been highlighted is that, according to my calculation, some 500 M.P's did not bother to record their votes. I also noticed that the Chamber was virtually empty during the debate. What does this say to the electorate about basic democracy in this country? I suggest that it underscores what many of us already believe namely that most M.P's are unprincipled money-grabbing individuals who are not fit to represent the people.
REG HARGRAVER, gLOUCESTER, uk
The MPs who voted in favour for the FOI Bill have brought further disgrace on an already discredited Commons. It is outrageous that parliament should seek to exempt itself from the legislation that it is making for the rest of the country.
I sincerely hope that Brown will have enough sense to (belatedly) repudiate the Govenment's tacit support, and that the Lords will overturn the Bill.
Chris HEAD, Tenterden, Kent
Distrust of MPs generally through revelations over recent times is amplified many times over. They are not to be trusted with free rein over taxpayers money. There will be honest ones, but all have been tarred with the brush of sleaze.
We are told that if we have nothing to hide then we have nothing to fear from carrying identity cards. The same argument applies to their expense accounts.
Tax credits require close means testing. MP's expenses should be the same.
Disgusted, appalled, and frustrated at not seeming to have a voice afre words not strong enough to express my opposition to this decision.
S.R. Cooper, Carmarthen,
Hi, I think that this is a very dangerous action for our supposed representatives to take. I assume the next step will be to vote themselves above the law as well! I sincerely hope that this gets rejected by the Lords (but somehow doubt it).
Simon McDonald, Hitchin, Herts