On handing in our petitions, a number of us have taken the opportunity to ask our MPs about the chances of the Childrens, Schools and Families Bill actually being passed. The answer seems to be that it is unlikely to become law before the next election but it still could do so in a process known as the "the wash-up".
This is the procedure whereby once an election is announced, the government approaches the two main opposition parties and asks them to agree to let through say, three or four bills.
We will have to keep a close eye on this one.
Hi C. Do you know anything more about how the 'wash-up' works? I've been looking, but can't find much. I'd like to know to what extent the incoming party is obliged to let these bills through and whether it's in their entirety or not.
ReplyDeleteHense Lord Lucas' call to "kill it in the wash-up".
ReplyDeleteGill, the wash-up happens before the election so technically there is no oncoming party and the current opposition don't have to let anything through at all. Lord Strathclyde, the Conservative leader in the Lords has already made it clear that they will block anything they don't like the looks of
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/nov/17/queens-speech-tories-lord-strathclyde
Oh that's good news. Thanks :)
ReplyDelete