Meacher issues MP vote plea

OLDHAM West and Royton MP Michael Meacher’s attempts to get explanatory notes added to bills going through Parliament to ensure politicians know what they are voting on has failed — despite concerns seven in 10 MPs are voting blind.

The Labour MP said it would take little effort but would make an enormous difference and mean every MP would understand what they are voting on.

He said: “Speaking as someone who in my 43 years has taken many bills through the house, I know that it certainly takes a huge amount of time to get to grips in particular with a large bill — to consult outside experts over all its detailed aspects, to identify areas where modification needs to be sought and to draft amendments in an appropriate parliamentary form.

“Once hundreds of hours have been expended on doing that, adding a short statement distilling the essence of an amendment would take less than half a minute.”