The Official Autumn Budget Thread 2021

[vetran]

It's more the principle that the government (not just this one, but this one seems to be doing it more overtly) is bypassing normal parliamentary process by giving information to the media before it is announced to parliament.

By bypassing parliament, it becomes very difficult for the opposition (think of them what you will) to challenge the government because it's already been discussed and picked apart before any official announcement is made.

This government has time and time again shown its lack of respect and utter disdain for proper parliamentary process. They are eroding the role of the opposition and that leads us down a very slippery path.

I would prefer that the budget actions were discussed publicly before being set in stone. It makes the budget more sensible.

Parliamentary process is based on hundreds of years of tradition and is now changing because technology is changing.

[d000hg]

The budget is debated over four days, so there's plenty of opportunity for the opposition to react (the shadow chancellor speaks on day 2). Whether they are given details in advance, I don't know, and I suspect not - which is why it's bad form to leak the details ahead of time.

All that's being leaked is what is in the speech. Which merely brings the headlines forward a few days, because the budget speech is always presented as a fait accompli and the news always reports on it as such.

[SueEllen]

All that's being leaked is what is in the speech. Which merely brings the headlines forward a few days, because the budget speech is always presented as a fait accompli and the news always reports on it as such.

Already there is lobbying about the NMW increase.

[d000hg]

Already there is lobbying about the NMW increase.

Good? It's hard to see how more discussion and visibility is a bad thing.

[SueEllen]

Good? It's hard to see how more discussion and visibility is a bad thing.

Nope it isn't good. There is a reason why have a parliament and the current government is trying to circumvent this.

Also the Speaker can cause loads of disruption to government business. He can refuse to allow the government from presenting their bills e.g. The Budget. He can also allow the opposition to table multiple urgent questions to ministers. Currently one is taking place.

[d000hg]

Nope it isn't good. There is a reason why have a parliament

If you'd like to point us all to where it is written that government shouldn't tell people what they plan to do, feel free. Saying "nope it isn't" is not an argument.

[jamesbrown]

If you'd like to point us all to where it is written that government shouldn't tell people what they plan to do, feel free. Saying "nope it isn't" is not an argument.

It's called the Ministerial Code - major announcements should happen in Parliament before (at the same time as) being made public.

[d000hg]

It's called the Ministerial Code - major announcements should happen in Parliament before (at the same time as) being made public.

inneresting...

[Paralytic]

inneresting...

Do you disagree with the assertion?

[quackhandle]

"And Mr Speaker, we now come to Ltd company directors and we've given then a right kicking in the past 10 years. And I'm delighted to announce that this year will be no different."

Plus ça change.

qh