2009/12/1 bloovee <[email protected]>: > It's a very good showing - often it's only the mover of the adjournment > debate and the minister responding.... > > > Steve Parish > >
Steve is right. Adjournment debates are typically for one MP to raise a particular hobbyhorse directly with the minister. Sometimes they will rustle up supporters if the issue goes wider than their own constituency. Sometimes this will be done an an all-party basis. People who read my posts may have worked out that my sympathies do not lie with the Conservatives, but I wouldn't conclude anything from a lack of Tory MPs at this particular debate. In the past they have contributed to this kind of debate and there are waterways supporters in all the parties. But we are now close to an election, and that probably means there is somewhat less (public) cross-party working than normally. We need all the friends we can get! -- Nigel Stanley
