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  Tom Llewelyn · 22/04/2010 at 7:39 pm

  Responses from Charlotte Vere (Conservative)

  • If you were in parliament already, how would you be voting on the Digital Economy Bill?
  On the Digital Economy Bill, I agree with John Redwood’s analysis of the situation – http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2010/04/07/john-redwoods-contribution-to-the-digital-economy-bill/

  The vast majority of the Conservatives abstained from voting on the bill and five voted against. I certainly would have voted against. Before coming into politics, I set up a social network for people suffering from depression and poor mental health. I believe I have a better than average understand of issues in the digital economy.

  • What is your opinion on the proposed changes to the BBC, as set out in the BBC Strategy Review?
  I will hold back from commenting on the BBC Strategy Review as I believe that the management of the BBC must reach these decisions given the information it has – information which is not in the public domain. I am however a strong supporter of public sector broadcasting. Having lived in the US for a couple of years, I know how ‘commercial’ TV can become without a strong commitment to the public sector. I do believe though that the management of the BBC needs to use our money wisely and trying to compete with ITV sometimes damages both without any benefit at all to the customer.

  • How, if at all, should parliament be reformed?
  Electoral reform will probably become the issue of our age. I am clear that whatever happens in terms of reforming both the House of Commons and the House of Lords must be taken after very careful consideration and review. Once we have gone down a path there is no turning back. Gordon Brown’s referendum on AV was hasty and I don’t recall any debate at all about the different proposals that we might consider!

  For the time being I think the most important issue is to rebuild trust in parliament and parliamentarians. No amount of reform will help if we don’t have trust. In that regard, I see myself as a ‘new generation’ politician – someone who came into politics because of my anger at expenses in Westminster and allowances in Brussels. I am hoping that a new cadre of people with experience outside politics can help rebuild trust in our system.

  • Should UK banks be split into separate “clearing” and “investment” banks?
  Splitting the banks should certainly be something that is considered – however I believe we need to have stability in the system first before we change the rules so radically. Once banks’ balance sheets are rebuilt and the credit is flowing to our most needy companies we need to consider how our financial markets will operate in the future.

  • Should primary schools SATS be replaced with teacher assessment?
  SATs replaced by teacher assessment? Yes. Provided it does not put undue burden on teachers. It would seem sensible.

  • Was Alan Johnson right to sack Professor David Nutt?
  As a government minister, Alan Johnson had to make decisions based on independent information provided to him by experts. If Mr Johnson had lost faith in the independence of his key scientific adviser on drugs then yes – Professor Nutt should have been relieved of his post. Would a Conservative Minister have done the same? Who knows – i think it depends on the relationship between the two.

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  Tom Llewelyn · 22/04/2010 at 7:44 pm

  Responses from Caroline Lucas (Green Party)

  • If you were in parliament already, how would you be voting on the Digital Economy Bill?
  I am currently a Member of the European Parliament and Greens have been campaigning hard against this legislation at EU level. Greens are opposed to any attacks on net neutrality and I would have definitely voted against the Digital Economy Bill, as I voted against its European equivalent. This press release might be of interest http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2009/11/05/greens-hail-victory-for-internet-users-in-euro-parliament-%e2%80%93-but-warn-online-rights-still-under-threat/ I recognise that important questions are posed by the proliferation of new media, particularly in relation to copyright. However, these must be answered in ways that protect important freedoms and do not curtail the emergence of internet based cultural activity or free access to the internet. I was also active in the campaign to oppose patenting of software, a move that if it had gone ahead would have made the kind of file sharing that leads to open source software development illegal. The way that the Digital Economy Bill has been forced through Parliament with barely any debate is also disgraceful.

  • What is your opinion on the proposed changes to the BBC, as set out in the BBC Strategy Review?
  The Green Party has always supported the BBC and are actively campaigning against plans to reduce local services. Our general election manifesto contains a pledge to promote broadcasting to high standards by:

  Maintaining the BBC as the primary public service broadcaster, free of Government interference
  Tightening rules on cross-media ownership

  Our policies also state clearly that a public service element in mass communications is a vital part of Britain’s democracy. We would encourage wider, more localised, participation in the regional BBC and discourage any further concentration of media ownership. We want local channels to be locally owned and accountable and for the BBC to remain wholly funded by public money, with no expectation that it should operate as if in a commercial market. This is not to discourage innovation in the BBC or to prevent the BBC competing in certain markets against commercial companies, but to recognise that the value and success of the BBC is not solely measured in commercial terms.

  • How, if at all, should parliament be reformed?
  I think this must be a real priority for the next government. Greens want to bring in proportional representation (PR) using the Additional Member System for Parliamentary elections and introduce fixed term Parliaments. Only the 200,000 votes in marginal seats really counted in the last election – that’s less than 0.5% of those eligible to vote. We want to make everyone’s vote count and would also introduce the right to vote at 16. We also want to reform the House of Lords to become a fully elected body chosen by proportional representation. To promote its independence, we think members should only be elected for one fixed term of ten years, with half the house being elected every five years. The Green Party want to revive local and regional government too, with the introduction of proportional representation and with grassroots democracy spreading through the use of smaller community and district councils. Such authorities should have enhanced powers, and in due course new tax raising powers. Government is vital but it’s got a bad name, and the expenses scandal was the last straw. Untainted by the ‘Westminster bubble’, and with a great track record in local, Scottish and European politics, the Green Party will restore faith and trust in government. I have regularly been voted the most pro-reform MEP based on my voting record and my own transparency about allowances. I also recognise that right now government feels remote and out of touch. It spends our money but we have no say in what it spends it on. That is why the Green Party would initiate a revolution in participation and legitimacy, including supporting the move towards a written constitution with a Bill of Rights.

  • Should UK banks be split into separate “clearing” and “investment” banks?
  Our manifesto contains a clear commitment to make the banks work for us. One of the ways we propose to do this is by separating retail from investment banking.

  • Should primary schools SATS be replaced with teacher assessment?
  We think that at present there too much emphasis on national tests and fulfilling marking schemes, which can oppress teaching and learning as well as create a great deal of unnecessary pressure on children as young as 7. Teaching and learning are too often dominated by meeting targets and ticking boxes both for teachers and for pupils, rather than on enhancing the learning of the individual child. We want to let teachers teach, so we will abolish the remaining SATS tests, and give schools and teachers more freedom over the curriculum they teach.

  • Was Alan Johnson right to sack Professor David Nutt?
  I am very concerned at the extent to which the government has tried to manipulate independent advisers on important issues to meet their own political objectives. I only know what has been reported in the media but my judgement is Professor Nutt was treated badly and should not have been sacked.

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  Tom Llewelyn · 26/04/2010 at 7:19 pm

  Responses from Nancy Platts (Labour) (Her spelling errors, not mine!)

  • If you were in parliament already, how would you be voting on the Digital Economy Bill?
  I opposed the Digital Economy Bill. http://www.nancyplatts.com/2010/04/down-at-the-farm-and-the-digital-economy-bill/

  • What is your opinion on the proposed changes to the BBC, as set out in the BBC Strategy Review?
  Without having read it in detail, I was very concerned that the Asian Network and 6Music were going to be scrapped. I think the BBC has a key role in deleivering quality broadcasting that commercial broadcasters don’t provide.

  • How, if at all, should parliament be reformed?
  AV+ electoral system. Fixed term parliaments. Fully elected second chamber.

  • Should UK banks be split into separate “clearing” and “investment” banks?
  Not convinced either way. Would need more information.

  • Should primary schools SATS be replaced with teacher assessment?
  SATs have their role but it’s clear that it puts a massive burden on teachers and pupils,

  • Was Alan Johnson right to sack Professor David Nutt?
  I wasn’t happy with how Professor Nutt was treated. But equally, sometimes a political decision won’t necessartily be the same as scientific advice.

  Reply

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  Tom Llewelyn · 26/04/2010 at 7:30 pm

  Responses from Citizens for Undead Rights and Equality

  • If you were in parliament already, how would you be voting on the Digital Economy Bill?
  We would be voting against it. This nebulous, catch-all ruling by Mandleson is entirely Draconian – you can’t legislate with ambiguity. We’re very clear on our policies where we can be: however, removing the upper retirement limit (making it legal to work beyond death) is obviously vague as we can’t say how long that would be for.

  • What is your opinion on the proposed changes to the BBC, as set out in the BBC Strategy Review?
  We’re big fans of 6 Music here at CURE. Our favourite artists are The Grateful Dead, The Deat Weather and the Zombies – all of which are often featured on the station. Our first policy will not only be to save 6 Music, but also turn it up.

  • How, if at all, should parliament be reformed?
  The House of Lords should be replaced by the House of the Dead, our favourite videogame.

  • Should UK banks be split into separate “clearing” and “investment” banks?
  Something should be done with them. We’d split them into “good” and “bad” banks, I think, and make the “bad” banks work bank holidays.

  • Should primary schools SATS be replaced with teacher assessment?
  This issue isn’t just about what to do with primary schools, but also what to do with adult education. We need to ensure that some form of free education is available to all: from four to infinity. SATS seem to work, but we need to think about what we do beyond age nine.

  • Was Alan Johnson right to sack Professor David Nutt?
  Alan Johnson has never been right.

  Reply

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  Tom Llewelyn · 04/05/2010 at 8:53 pm

  Responses from Berni Millam (Liberal Democrat)

  • If you were in parliament already, how would you be voting on the Digital Economy Bill?
  Yes

  • What is your opinion on the proposed changes to the BBC, as set out in the BBC Strategy Review?
  I want to see the BBC remain stong free from interference and securely funded not least to provide impartial news independent of political and commercial pressures, ensure that the BBC does not undermine the viability of other media providers through unfair competition based on its public funding and dominant position

  • How, if at all, should parliament be reformed?
  Abolish safe seats introduce fair votes stop big donations give people power to sack corrupt MPs . the right to vote at 16 . fixed term parliament. Replace House of lords witha fully elected second chamber.Introduce a written constitution

  • Should UK banks be split into separate “clearing” and “investment” banks?
  YES

  • Should primary schools SATS be replaced with teacher assessment?
  YES

  • Was Alan Johnson right to sack Professor David Nutt?
  I dont think so

  Reply

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