“A Week is a Long Time in Politics” (Central Devon Liberal Democrats)

Central Devon Liberal Democrats <info@centraldevon-libdems.org.uk>

“A Week is a Long Time in Politics”

July 26, 2011 12:14 PM

Phil Hutty in Westminster

Central Devon Parliamentary Spokesperson Phil Hutty looks back on a momentous week in Parliament

It was Harold Wilson who said "a week is a long time in politics" and the last week in the House of Commons before the summer recess certainly lived up to that. With journalists arrested, newspaper barons hauled up before Parliament you can understand why Prime Minister Cameron dashed back fromAfricato steady nerves in the Chamber. No one of any standing has told the prime minster to go but if there is more to come it might cause him further embarrassment.

Actually it was very considerate of them to have organised something special for my week off, especially as it coincided with a trip to London that my wife had organised as a birthday treat (even staying in a posh Hotel in Whitehall ( at a bargain price), whilst our son invaded France on a school trip).

It started with seats in first class ( booked months in advance it was the cheapest way to travel!), sharing a carriage with Sheryll Murray (Conservative MP for SE Cornwall) Lord Burnett and Defence Minister Nick Harvey.

As I naughtily twittered about the amount of biscuits Sheryll was scooping from the tea trolley and leaving her lap top in the company of a complete stranger, the virtual world kept me updated on the gossip raging throughWestminster.

'Hack-gate' (yes, sorry that is the name most tweeted about the News Corp scandal), overwhelmed Parliament and left stories about the death of yet another local Solider and the proposed Badger Cull with barely a mention nationwide. I would like to think that's because Hack-gate affects real people not just celebrities, but I'm not so sure.

Of course the freedom of the press and just how far that goes is important Like it or not each political party does need to use the media to promote their own views and achievements, So in theory at least meeting with them every now and again should be okay - but what level of influence on politics by the national press is acceptable? Personally I think we are witnessing the death of the press as we know it with the digital media posed take a big leap forward together with the march of the 'Citizen Journalist' and all that it entails.

But as the so called 'silly season starts' and MPs head back to their constituencies perhaps it's time we need to question our elected voices in Westminster what their priorities are.