Graham Allen

Labour Party | Nottingham North

Kelly's aye

Those MPs who are not prepared to fight for Parliament which is independent of government have no right to whinge when Government feels free to victimize them, be it by stopping independently assessed wage rises (which has led to the allowances abuse) or not allowing them to elect their own committees to scrutinize government effectively or allowing them to decide their own agenda.

Only a Parliament free and independent of government will have the strength to carve out its own role rather than be a whipping boy.

Kelly is a symptom, Government control of Parliament is the disease, serious democratic reform and the secret ballot are the cures.