Announcement Of Major Policy Decisions

EDM number 985 in 2004-05, proposed by Roger Williams on 22/03/2005.

That this House re-affirms its conviction in the primacy of parliamentary democracy; notes that to do so requires the convention to be observed whereby Parliament is the first body to hear of Government decisions and announcements; deplores the culture of spin which is emasculating the purpose of Parliament and condemns instances where Government departments have used media outlets to usurp the primacy of an elected chamber; further notes that such a case occurred over the naming of the Welsh regiments and is characteristic of the style of the current Government; and recognises that to fulfil their function of holding the Government to account, honourable Members should look to the business of both chambers and not the national press.

This motion has been signed by a total of 23 MPs.