Ladywood’s MP says Commons votes are “pointless”
Ladywood’s current MP, Clare Short, has said that taking part in House of Commons votes is “pointless”.
New figures show Clare took part in less than one in eight votes over the past 12 months. She is quoted in the Birmingham Post:
"Most MPs automatically vote for the government or against the government depending on which party they are in.
“I am often in the building when a vote takes place. But everyone knows the Government is going to win the day whether I take part or not.
“I will vote on an issue where it is a matter of principle, or where my independent vote might make a difference to the outcome.”
Although I understand her reasoning, by not voting it means her constituents views are not being represented.
Clare Short Interview – Part Three
"Tony Blair... he would have probably been a Tory if he hadn't married Cherie"
In this third and final part of the Sunday Mercury's interview with Clare Short, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, Clare compares Gordon Brown and Tony Blair and talks about her ambition to be mayor of Birmingham (if we are ever forced into having an elected mayor, of course)
It's worth watching, particularly for her comments on Tony Blair and her opinion that he would probably have been a Tory had he not met Cherie. Tony's wife has since dismissed those claims as "rubbish".
Watch Part One of the interview.
Watch Part Two of the interview.
Clare Short Interview – Part Two
"If Tony Blair had told the truth, discussed it honestly, we probably could have prevented a disaster that's killed up to a million Iraqis, displaced millions of them, wrecked the country, nearly 200 young Brits are dead and many others mangled and injured and the Middle East is ever more dangerous. I think Tony has ruined his reputation, it's a tragedy all round."
In this second part of the interview with the Sunday Mercury, Clare talks about her resignation over the Iraq war, her own expenses claims and those of her colleagues. She says the people of Ladywood have no problem with her and I would second that. She also accuses others of "fraud" and "greed".
Watch Part One of the interview.
Watch Part Three of the interview.
Clare Short Interview – Part One
Last weekend the Sunday Mercury sat down with Clare Short for an interview with the now independent MP for Birmingham Ladywood, who is standing down at the next election.
Here's part one in which Clare talks about her life before becoming an MP, her fondness of Handsworth and her favourite memories of her time in Parliament.
Watch Part Two of the interview.
Watch Part Three of the interview.