Beyond The Commons

 Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

Idea alert

by Aaron Wherry on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 2:33pm - 126 Comments

Jack Layton steps forward with a proposal.

“Today I am announcing that the New Democrats will bring proposals for legislation to limit the power of prorogation so the Prime Minister cannot abuse it. The government should only prorogue Parliament on a vote in the House of Commons. This will inform the Governor General of the will of the majority, so that prorogation happens when it is needed – not simply when the Prime Minister feels like it.”

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  • Rhadamanthus

    I really like this idea but I'd want it to be a confidence vote. If a PM wants to shut down Parliament they would have to be willing to bet their government on it.

    Also, to ensure that even in a majority situation prorogation is not abused I'd require a formal Prorogation Debate be held before any vote on a Motion to Prorogue. I'd want the PM, personally, to make a statement describing why prorogation is needed and then the PM would be interrogated by members of the Opposition on the basis of that statement. The Debate should go on for an extended period of time- perhaps two hours or so.

    Even a PM who has a majority would have to think twice before proroguing.

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