Farcical Universal Credit Debate In The Commons

[Gromit]

It was a Labour motion to pause UC roll out.
All the Consevatives abstained enmasse.

Can anyone argue that the entire debate and vote was not an utter waste of everyones time and effort ?

[emmie]

perhaps, but better to debate than not at all.

[Old_Geezer]

Didn't watch it, but your post confuses me. Conservatives abstained, so the motion was carried, and UC is paused ?

[Peter Pedant]

The H of C is a glorious talking shoop
and today proves it

motion carried but it doesnt mean anything because in this type of debate - - - the vote doesnt mean anything

I thought the shadow works secty came across as human logical concerned and ready to compromise ....

[jourdain2]

I'm not surprised at the result. I'm really surprised that the Govt. saw fit to try to pass the Bill. Both of us would have argued for a delay in implementation.

[jim360]

The motion was apparently non-binding so the Government can ignore it. Not voting at all, though, seems bizarre.

[fiction-factory]

I think the reason for abstaining was because they would not want to have been seen to lose a full vote- which could have happened if some Tory and DUP dissenters and voted against the government or abstained in a full vote.

[New Judge]

"In a symbolic vote, MPs backed a pause after Tory MPs were told to abstain.

The opposition won by 299 votes to 0 with one Conservative - Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston - defying her party by siding with Labour.

The outcome is not binding on the government although shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams said it was a "major defeat for the government" and urged them to clarify their position.

Commons Speaker John Bercow advised ministers to take account of the "clearly expressed" wishes of the House and "show respect for the institution" by indicating what they intend to do."

[Peter Pedant]

sarah woolaston is a doctor and chair of the health select committee

her guilty secret is that her daughter is a (junior) doctor as well and has .... emigrated.

[Gromit]

// Commons Speaker John Bercow advised ministers to take account of the "clearly expressed" wishes of the House and "show respect for the institution" by indicating what they intend to do." //

Theresa May will carry on regardless with this flawed flawed policy because it fits with Tory doctrine (but defies common sense). She is out of touch, and will pay the consequences like Margaret Thatcher did when she ploughed on with the poll Tax despite all the good advice of her Cabinet, who said it was a vote loser.

[mikey4444]

The Tories couldn't summon up enough MPs to defeat the Labour motion, so good to see the Government defeated, but will they listen ?

[New Judge]

“Theresa May will carry on regardless with this flawed flawed policy…”

The policy is not flawed. Any attempt to simplify the ridiculous UK benefits system can only be applauded. But I do fully accept that the implementation has not been a success. Almost anything any government (of any colour) does that involves administration of its IT systems fails and this is no different. But the policy is not flawed.

[Mamyalynne]

Streamlining and making a system easier and fairer - good.

Not having the wit or wisdom to do the above - bad.

Those struggling with threats of eviction and rising debts as the bungle goes on will attest to that.

[mikey4444]

NJ...I would agree with you that the policy is not flawed. The old system was overly complicated and it plainly needed sorting out. But the implementation of it IS deeply flawed.

All that the Opposition motion was suggesting yesterday, is that the full implementation of it, across the country as a whole should be paused, until these serious concerns are dealt with.

The Government now finds itself in an unenviable situation, entirely of its own making. Mrs May put up David Gauke to debate with Labour. I watched at least 2 hours of it yesterday and he made a spirited defence of UC, which has a lot of good going for it. But after all her Ministers hard work, she then pulled the rug out from beneath him and ordered her MPs to abstain, because she was in grave danger of losing.

Bercow is right....Parliament has been dealt with in a very shabby fashion.

Sir Edward Leigh, a senior Tory MP has now weighed in and criticised his own Party :::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41678818

Mrs May is losing control.