17th November 2006

The Green Party condemned the government's Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill, and have severely criticised the opposition parties in Parliament for failing to speak out effectively against it. The Bill has now passed it's final reading, but was somewhat better than when originally proposed.

Cllr Philip Booth, a spkesperson for Stroud District Green party who has campaigned against this Bill, said: "It was dubbed by Cambridge Law Professor, John Spencer, as the 'Abolition of Parliament' Bill, as it would have given the Government the ability to completely bypass democratic scrutiny on most issues. The final Bill has been improved - and part of that improvement, as acknowledged by MPs, is down to those of us who have campaigned to get the most unacceptable parts of the bill removed."

Philip Booth added: “Throughout the process, Ministers have refused to give  examples of how the very real powers under clause 1 would be used. They still seem to have no idea what they wish to deregulate. Indeed the government have never shown a real need for this Bill, so it remains unnecessary legislation - but at least it is no longer the 'Abolition of Parliament' Bill."