Rafael Behr rightly states that Johnson is getting away "with abstract verbiage and theatrical bombast", but placing the blame at Labour`s door is clearly ridiculous (Only rebel Tory MPs can restore sovereignty to parliament now, 05/02/20). There is, indeed, a "real flaw in the structures of democratic accountability", but strangely, Behr fails to mention it. For a prime minister as keen to avoid press and media scrutiny as Johnson, the current format of PMQs is a godsend. With a Speaker keen to admonish MPs for questions which are too long, and risk the session exceeding thirty minutes, but quite content for the prime minister to avoid answers, attack the opposition, and utilise the opportunity for yet more Cummings-inspired soundbites, it serves no purpose whatsoever in a parliamentary democracy.
Perhaps Labour MPs should emulate the action of Democrats in the States and walk out in protest as soon as the first Opposition question is treated with Johnson`s usual disdain, and given no answer. If no such drastic action is taken, they will remain pawns in Johnson`s "winging-it" game!
No comments:
Post a Comment