Parliament Recall:
I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in London last Wednesday to attend the recalled Parliament. My accommodation is only a few miles from Clapham and Croydon, from where TV pictures of rioting, burning and looting had been beamed around the world the previous two evenings. My unease was soon settled when my onward journey was uneventful. The unanimity of MP’s in condemnation of the London rioters, gangs and looters was never in doubt as MP’s returned to Parliament.
Splits: However the unanimity was short lived when splits appeared on the government benches with some Tory MP’s along with Boris Johnson, the Tory London Mayor, supporting Ed Miliband’s opposition to the 20% cuts to Police budgets, and calling for a Commission of Inquiry into the riots. David Cameron told Boris Johnson to get on his bike and stated that the cuts in police numbers in London and elsewhere were manageable and would go ahead.
Robocop: Before the recess there were reports that David Cameron wanted to replace the Metropolitan Police Commissionaire with an American Super Cop, Bill Bratton. At the time there were vitriolic denials but we now know he has this week employed Bill Bratton, former US supercop, to advise him on policing. Okay I suppose if you believe in coincidences.
Parliament Recall / Splits / Robocop
Parliament Recall:
I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in London last Wednesday to attend the recalled Parliament. My accommodation is only a few miles from Clapham and Croydon, from where TV pictures of rioting, burning and looting had been beamed around the world the previous two evenings. My unease was soon settled when my onward journey was uneventful. The unanimity of MP’s in condemnation of the London rioters, gangs and looters was never in doubt as MP’s returned to Parliament.
Splits: However the unanimity was short lived when splits appeared on the government benches with some Tory MP’s along with Boris Johnson, the Tory London Mayor, supporting Ed Miliband’s opposition to the 20% cuts to Police budgets, and calling for a Commission of Inquiry into the riots. David Cameron told Boris Johnson to get on his bike and stated that the cuts in police numbers in London and elsewhere were manageable and would go ahead.
Robocop: Before the recess there were reports that David Cameron wanted to replace the Metropolitan Police Commissionaire with an American Super Cop, Bill Bratton. At the time there were vitriolic denials but we now know he has this week employed Bill Bratton, former US supercop, to advise him on policing. Okay I suppose if you believe in coincidences.