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MPs to debate voter 'recall' powers MPs debating voter 'recall' powers
(about 3 hours later)
MPs are to debate whether voters should be able to deselect them using a "power of recall" if they are found guilty of serious wrongdoing. MPs are debating whether voters should be able to deselect them using a "power of recall" if they are found guilty of serious wrongdoing.
The government's plans say an MP should be unseated if 10% of voters sign a petition, after the MP is sent to jail or given a prolonged Commons ban. The government says an MP should be unseated if 10% of voters sign a petition, after the MP is sent to jail or given a prolonged Commons ban.
But critics argue it should be easier than this to get proceedings against unpopular politicians going.But critics argue it should be easier than this to get proceedings against unpopular politicians going.
Conservative and Lib Dem MPs may get a free vote on aspects of the bill.Conservative and Lib Dem MPs may get a free vote on aspects of the bill.
Introducing the "power of recall" - allowing voters to force a by-election when MPs have been found guilty of wrongdoing and 10% of his or her constituents have signed a petition calling for their removal - was one of the promises in the 2010 coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.Introducing the "power of recall" - allowing voters to force a by-election when MPs have been found guilty of wrongdoing and 10% of his or her constituents have signed a petition calling for their removal - was one of the promises in the 2010 coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
'Minimum acceptable''Minimum acceptable'
Recall is used in several countries, including the US, where actor Arnold Schwarzenegger became California Governor after Gray Davis was unseated in 2003.Recall is used in several countries, including the US, where actor Arnold Schwarzenegger became California Governor after Gray Davis was unseated in 2003.
But, unlike the system used in California, under the coalition's plans an MP could not be ousted simply because they are unpopular.But, unlike the system used in California, under the coalition's plans an MP could not be ousted simply because they are unpopular.
Currently, a prison sentence of more than 12 months already automatically means an MP must go.Currently, a prison sentence of more than 12 months already automatically means an MP must go.
The government's plans would require the imposition of a prison sentence of up to 12 months or a ban from the Commons lasting more than 21 sitting days before a petition could be set up.The government's plans would require the imposition of a prison sentence of up to 12 months or a ban from the Commons lasting more than 21 sitting days before a petition could be set up.
Commons bans are handed down by the Commons Standards Committee, which is mostly made up of MPs. There are concerns that this leaves too much power in the hands of parliamentarians - rather than the public - to decide the fate of colleagues.Commons bans are handed down by the Commons Standards Committee, which is mostly made up of MPs. There are concerns that this leaves too much power in the hands of parliamentarians - rather than the public - to decide the fate of colleagues.
The petition would be open for eight weeks and, if by then 10% of eligible voters have signed it, the seat would be declared vacant and a by-election called.The petition would be open for eight weeks and, if by then 10% of eligible voters have signed it, the seat would be declared vacant and a by-election called.
The Recall of MPs Bill will be debated for the first time by MPs on Tuesday.
Alternative planAlternative plan
The Recall of MPs Bill is being debated for the first time by MPs on Tuesday afternoon with a vote expected at around 19:00 BST.
Conservative backbencher MP Zac Goldsmith has devised a rival plan, which he says will give constituents more power.Conservative backbencher MP Zac Goldsmith has devised a rival plan, which he says will give constituents more power.
He wants MPs to be recalled if 5% of voters in a constituency sign a "notice of intent to recall" and 20% then sign a "recall petition".He wants MPs to be recalled if 5% of voters in a constituency sign a "notice of intent to recall" and 20% then sign a "recall petition".
This, he says, will bypass the need for the Commons to censure MPs before voters can take action and put voters in the "driving seat".This, he says, will bypass the need for the Commons to censure MPs before voters can take action and put voters in the "driving seat".
Mr Goldsmith wrote on Twitter: "Clegg's version of recall is possible only by permission of Parliament and in impossibly narrow circumstances."Mr Goldsmith wrote on Twitter: "Clegg's version of recall is possible only by permission of Parliament and in impossibly narrow circumstances."
So far 68 MPs from all parties, including prominent Conservatives and Labour backbenchers as well as UKIP MP Douglas Carswell and Green MP Caroline Lucas, have backed Mr Goldsmith's version.So far 68 MPs from all parties, including prominent Conservatives and Labour backbenchers as well as UKIP MP Douglas Carswell and Green MP Caroline Lucas, have backed Mr Goldsmith's version.
He expects Prime Minister David Cameron to "move considerably" by allowing a free vote on amendments to the bill during its later parliamentary stages.He expects Prime Minister David Cameron to "move considerably" by allowing a free vote on amendments to the bill during its later parliamentary stages.
Mr Cameron has described the powers in the bill as the "minimum acceptable" and promised to look carefully at any amendments.Mr Cameron has described the powers in the bill as the "minimum acceptable" and promised to look carefully at any amendments.
His spokesman said he was "very keen" for the debate "to be as wide as possible".His spokesman said he was "very keen" for the debate "to be as wide as possible".
Vested interestsVested interests
Mr Clegg said he had "always wanted the most radical, deliverable possible form of recall".Mr Clegg said he had "always wanted the most radical, deliverable possible form of recall".
But he said Mr Goldsmith's proposal "would give a field day to very-well-funded vested interests who do not like what someone has done on gay marriage or the environment or abortion or fox hunting to basically hound MPs they don't like".But he said Mr Goldsmith's proposal "would give a field day to very-well-funded vested interests who do not like what someone has done on gay marriage or the environment or abortion or fox hunting to basically hound MPs they don't like".
Labour says it has problems with both Mr Clegg's and Mr Goldsmith's proposals and that it will look "closely" at what the government is proposing.Labour says it has problems with both Mr Clegg's and Mr Goldsmith's proposals and that it will look "closely" at what the government is proposing.
Veteran Labour MP Frank Dobson suggested that his predecessor as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, Lena Jeger, could have been "punished" by voters under a system of recall for her support of abortion legislation in the 1960s.Veteran Labour MP Frank Dobson suggested that his predecessor as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, Lena Jeger, could have been "punished" by voters under a system of recall for her support of abortion legislation in the 1960s.
"Recall of MPs could have deterred many from sticking their necks out," he wrote in the Guardian."Recall of MPs could have deterred many from sticking their necks out," he wrote in the Guardian.
"In my view, far from empowering the electorate this system would be open to abuse by powerful vested interests and most likely deployed to hinder social progress.""In my view, far from empowering the electorate this system would be open to abuse by powerful vested interests and most likely deployed to hinder social progress."
But, backing Mr Goldsmith's amendments, campaign group Unlock Democracy said the government's bill "utterly failed to deliver" and it was "almost certain" that no MPs would be held to account as a result.But, backing Mr Goldsmith's amendments, campaign group Unlock Democracy said the government's bill "utterly failed to deliver" and it was "almost certain" that no MPs would be held to account as a result.