Mr Andrew Dismore MP (P23)
I can't see the point. Constituency Members
should be involved, and I don't see how you can devise an e-petition
which wouldn't cut them out. Also some of us are more technologically
challenged than others, and this could lead to a differential
service between MPs. I think people like to do petitions in the
old fashioned way. If we are modernising, then I think a more
important reform would be to be a bit more relaxed about the need
to use the old fashioned and archaic wording and let people use
the text they want. I also think we should have a minimum number
of signatories for a petition on the floor of the House to be
presented. I recall Norman Baker using a tactic to block David
MacLean's Bill, of a whole batch of petitions at the same time
with a handful of names on.
Then who is going to respond to the e-petitions.
People will expect something to happen. This is a gimmick and
I don't think it is a sensible one.
January 2008
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