Ealing North
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Steve Pound MP Ealing North |
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A Revolution in the House November 2002 Things move slowly at the House of Commons - and that's not just the Honourable members after a good lunch. Yet now something is stirring the dust of centuries and a chill wind of change can be felt in this ancient Palace. For the first time ever MPs are now told when the House will be in recess, and that all votes will finish at about 7.30 in the evening. This really is revolutionary! Until now we had no idea at all when we would "rise" for Christmas or the Summer recess until a few days before. This made holiday plans a little difficult and added strain to most families. The earlier starts and finishes will totally change the way that I, and many Members, work. I appreciate that I see the picture from the perspective of a London Member but I had settled into a routine of spending the morning at local meetings, school visits and calls on constituents unable to attend my advice surgeries. I would then get into the office by lunchtime and spend an hour or so with the hundred letters and faxes we receive each day (and the hundred plus e-mails that are such a curse of this modern age), and then go to the chamber for business at 2.30. Committee meetings or lobbies in the afternoon and casework would take me to the 7pm vote. I could then blat back to Ealing for an evening engagement and return to Westminster for the 10pm closure. A couple of hours of blessed quiet in the office to sign off the days post, write speeches and catch up on reading would see me returning along a near deserted A40 in the early hours with the satisfaction of having done a decent days work and being sufficiently exhausted to get of to sleep without too much trouble. This routine is actually a lot better than my life in the early days of the 1997-2001 Parliament. Thirty-six straight hours was my personal record but we often went on until five or six in the morning and then had to find a shower and a clean shirt before starting a new day. When Mrs. P. first visited Westminster I introduced her to Ann Keen MP (Brentford and Isleworth) on the grounds that they were both Welsh nurses whose husbands were MPs (Ann's husband Alan sits for Feltham and Heston). My wife asked Ann how she managed with Alan struggling home with the milkman and heading back to work after a change of clothes and a strong coffee. Ann - with a look of complete innocence - asked what she was talking about. When told that I often came home as the children were heading off to school Ann said, with a completely straight face, "Oh no, we never stay after 7pm. I don't know what Steve is getting up to but he certainly isn't here all night". I hope that I managed to convince Mrs. P. but a certain chill still pervades the air between us. Now Ann's mischief becomes fact. I rather miss the musty confusion and time shaped nonsense of the "old" Parliament. It was rather pleasant to work in a cross between a mediaeval Museum and 18th. Century assize court. The modern world has now broken through into the Palace of Westminster,and it may to other Palaces, and the pace of change quickens. I suddenly realise the truth that there are none so conservative as we socialists but accept that even I have to be dragged into the 21st.Century. Don't blame me for looking backwards with affection, and not a little regret. |
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| Disclaimer | Copyright | Designed by Bassam Mahfouz. Promoted by Julian Bell, The Labour Party, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP on behalf of Steve Pound MP |
