All posts tagged: parliament

Politics Home | Staff Of Pro-Assisted Dying MPs Canvass Opinion In Parliament Ahead Of Vote

Politics Home | Staff Of Pro-Assisted Dying MPs Canvass Opinion In Parliament Ahead Of Vote

Published by Sam

Kim Leadbeater joins campaigners in favour of legalising assisted dying outside parliament (Credit: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News) 3 min read08 April The staff members of MPs in favour of legalising assisted dying started a canvassing operation in Parliament before recess, PoliticsHome has learned. Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill adults expected to die within six months, was approved by the House of Commons with a majority of 55 votes in November. MPs are not whipped in votes on the legislation as it concerns a matter of conscience. The next Commons debate on the Labour MP’s bill was expected at the end of April, but Leadbeater has now announced that it will take place on 16 May. “I have listened carefully to members on all sides of the issue who have told me that they would welcome more time to consider the amendments to the bill in committee, to see the new version of the bill as a result of these important changes, and …

Wo Union und SPD sparen müssen, aber nicht wollen – POLITICO

Wo Union und SPD sparen müssen, aber nicht wollen – POLITICO

Published by Sam

– Die Einsicht ist da, aber die Einigung fehlt: Wo Union und SPD teils ihre Wahlversprechen kassieren müssen, um trotz Milliarden-Sondervermögen die Finanzen in den Griff zu bekommen, erklärt Rasmus Buchsteiner. – Koalition der Willigen und Gespräche über Nord Stream 2: In Paris treffen sich mehr als 30 Länder, um weitere Unterstützung für die Ukraine zu besprechen. Derweil reden Washington und Moskau über die Wiederaufnahme von Gas-Lieferungen – und wieder sitzen weder Europa, geschweige denn Deutschland mit am Tisch. Dazu spricht Rixa Fürsen mit Hans von der Burchard. – Im 200-Sekunden-Interview dazu: Roderich Kiesewetter, Außen- und Sicherheitsexperte der CDU.  Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es morgens um 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team bringen euch jeden Morgen auf den neuesten Stand in Sachen Politik — kompakt, europäisch, hintergründig. Und für alle Hauptstadt-Profis:Unser Berlin Playbook-Newsletter liefert jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. Hier gibt es alle Informationen und das kostenlose Playbook-Abo. Mehr von Berlin Playbook-Host und Executive Editor von POLITICO in Deutschland, Gordon Repinski, gibt es auch hier:  Instagram: @gordon.repinski | X: @GordonRepinski. Source link

Huawei bribery scandal rocks EU Parliament – POLITICO

Huawei bribery scandal rocks EU Parliament – POLITICO

Published by Sam

The Belgian public prosecutor’s office said in a statement the alleged misconduct took place “regularly and very discreetly from 2021 to the present day, under the guise of commercial lobbying.” Incidents that are being investigated include “remuneration for taking political positions, excessive gifts like food and travel expenses and regular invitations to football matches … with a view to promoting purely private commercial interests in the context of political decisions,” the statement said. Investigators have around 15 former and current MEPs “on the radar,” Follow The Money, Le Soir and Knack wrote. The prosecutor’s office on Thursday afternoon announced it had “requested that seals be affixed to the premises of the European Parliament, more specifically to the offices allocated to two parliamentary assistants allegedly involved.” A spokesperson from the European Parliament said Thursday afternoon: “We have received a request for cooperation from the Belgian authorities to assist the investigation which the Parliament will swiftly honor.” Victor Negrescu, Parliament’s vice president for transparency and anti-corruption, said the allegations “are deeply concerning,” adding “we cannot accept that …

Fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ eroding as they’re weaponized by conservative forces – POLITICO

Fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ eroding as they’re weaponized by conservative forces – POLITICO

Published by Sam

In countries like Italy, Belgium or Romania, right-wing conservative groups have been accusing the LGBTQ+ community of “undermining family values and destabilising society” and used discriminatory speeches during election periods. This is then also used justify the introduction of legislation restricting fundamental freedoms and so-called “anti-LGBT propaganda” laws, the report stated. In Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal, local authorities have reported “a significant increase in crimes motivated by perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression,” ILGA-Europe noted. “There is a tendency to instrumentalize the so-called protection of young people as a hope to spread fear and division,” said Italian member of the European Parliament Alessandro Zan of the center-left Socialists and Democrats during an event in Parliament. “The discriminatory measures proposed in Hungary and Slovakia and the successful resolution in Italy against the so-called gender ideology all but spread hate and discrimination across Europe … These measures harm children, families and workers,” he added. Chaber, the executive director of ILGA-Europe, also said that attacks against LGBTQ+ people are becoming “the testing ground …

No more prayers in Parliament, MPs say

No more prayers in Parliament, MPs say

Published by skeptic

MPs have called for an end to prayers as part of the official business of Parliament in a motion backed by the National Secular Society. The early day motion (EDM), tabled by Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan this week, says religious worship “should not play any part in the formal business of the House of Commons”. It adds that parliamentary prayers are “not compatible with a society which respects the principle of freedom of and from religion”, and calls on the modernisation committee to “consider alternative arrangements”. Seven other MPs, including those from the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Scottish National Party, have also signed the EDM. Early day motions are single-sentence motions which formally call for a debate on a subject at an early opportunity and which MPs are invited to sign. A similar motion in 2019 attracted a total of 15 signatures. Sittings in both the House of Commons and the Lords begin with Anglican prayers. Obtaining a ‘prayer card’ and attending prayers is in practice the only way to reserve seats …

NSS urges Parliament to prevent increase in selective faith schools

NSS urges Parliament to prevent increase in selective faith schools

Published by skeptic

The National Secular Society has urged a parliamentary committee to ensure a new bill will not lead to a new wave of highly selective faith schools in England. Responding to a call for evidence by the committee for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the NSS said proposed changes to how new schools are opened must safeguard against the proliferation of faith schools which can select all pupils based on religion. The new bill will end the presumption that new schools should be ‘free school’ academies. Free schools with a religious character can select up to 50% of pupils based on religion if they are oversubscribed. But no longer requiring new schools to be free schools would make it easier for voluntary aided (VA) faith schools to open. Unlike free schools, VA schools can select 100% of pupils based on religion when oversubscribed. Recent research has revealed that as well as fostering religious and ethnic segregation, faith schools are more socially selective, create barriers for looked-after and previously looked-after children, and admit fewer pupils with …

Experts give evidence in parliament

Experts give evidence in parliament

Published by skeptic

More from this theme Recent articles Sector experts are appearing before MPs today to give their thoughts on the schools bill. Freddie Whittaker is reporting live from the public committee hearing, which includes government ministers Catherine McKinnell and Stephen Morgan asking questions of witnesses. Those due to appear include academy bosses United Learning’s Sir Jon Coles, Harris Federation’s Sir Dan Moynihan and Luke Sparkes, from Dixons Academies Trust. (We have a round-up here of all 39 policies in the schools bill) 2pm: De Souza: I need to know how failing schools will be improved under Labour plan Children’s commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza, a former headteacher who led the Inspiration Trust, opened the afternoon session. She started by saying she wants to see a “vision for a new, vibrant schools system”. (She’s not the only one…) As a former trust boss, she was asked about the proposed academy changes. De Souza said she was concerned about automatic academisation changes. “I cannot let children remain in failing schools – I need to know what was going …

Parliament Bar To Close For Safety Review Following Alleged Spiking

Parliament Bar To Close For Safety Review Following Alleged Spiking

Published by Sam

Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, Sunset 1 min read17 January A parliament bar has been closed for a safety review following an alleged spiking.  On Friday, a House of Commons spokesperson said: “Strangers’ Bar will close from Monday 20 January while security and safety arrangements are reviewed. “The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses.” The closure comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they were investigating after a woman reported having her drink spiked in the bar. The incident, which was first reported by Politico, is reported to have taken place on 7 January.   The Stranger’s Bar is used by MPs, parliamentary staff and journalists. MPs are sometimes allowed to take guests. Spiking occurs when an individual gives someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing, for example through a drink or even a needle.  Speaking earlier this week, Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect trade union, said: “This is a very concerning alleged incident, especially given the long history of allegations about behaviour in parliament.  “We will be seeking more information about this case …

Austria’s coalition talks in disarray as parties fail to unite against far right – POLITICO

Austria’s coalition talks in disarray as parties fail to unite against far right – POLITICO

Published by Sam

The collapse of the talks, which formally began in November, strengthens the hand of the anti-migrant, Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPÖ), which doubled its vote share and surged to first place in September’s national election but has been blocked from forming a government, with all other major parties refusing to work with it. FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz called on Nehammer to resign after the failure of the coalition talks, which he dubbed a “political monstrosity” and a “loser-traffic-light coalition.” Even without the support of NEOS, the SPÖ and ÖVP could continue negotiations on their own and form a two-way coalition, as the two parties together hold 92 of the 183 seats in the lower house of Austria’s parliament — a wafer-thin majority of just one seat. Source link

Abolish prayers from House of Commons, NSS urges Parliament

Abolish prayers from House of Commons, NSS urges Parliament

Published by skeptic

The National Secular Society has urged a parliamentary committee to work to abolish Anglican prayers in the House of Commons. Responding to a call for evidence from the newly established Modernisation Committee, the NSS said parliamentary business should be conducted in a manner “equally welcoming to all parliamentarians”, whatever their personal religious beliefs. Currently, sittings in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords begin with Anglican prayers. In the Commons, these are read by the Speaker’s Chaplain – a member of the Anglican clergy. In its response, the NSS said holding Anglican prayers in the House of Commons excludes MPs who are of non-Christian faiths or nonreligious. The NSS said including a “religious ritual of a specific faith, presided over by a cleric of specific denomination” as part of Parliament’s formal business is “incompatible” with creating an organisation that is open and accessible to people from all walks of life. The NSS said the current function of parliamentary prayers as a seat reservation system “clearly disadvantages” and excludes MPs who do not …