Martin Salter's Westminster Diary, November 5, 2009

Martin Salter MP • Published 6 Nov 2009 14:00 0 Comments

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I'VE SEEN Parliament at its best and worst in recent weeks. We have just completed the final stages of the Marine Bill, a ground-breaking piece of environmental legislation creating a framework of conservation zones around our coasts to assist the survival of marine species and guard against commercial exploitation. It also creates a national network of public coastal paths.

This long-awaited measure started life as a campaign by conservationists and environmental groups under the banner of the 'Wildlife Link'. It was then picked up as a Private Member's Bill in the Commons and later became a 2005 Labour manifesto commitment.

I have been involved at every stage, including a rare but very useful joint Committee of the Commons and Lords which scrutinised the Draft Bill. At every stage politicians worked together, taking evidence from outside experts and holding constructive but rigorous discussions with regard for other points of view.

The result was that a fine idea became a good bill and a truly excellent piece of legislation.

Likewise my fellow members of the new Parliamentary Reform Committee have been putting their collective experiences and energies into producing recommendations to hopefully assist Parliament regain greater independence, rather than be dominated by the party managers.

We will shortly be publishing cross-party recommendations to strengthen Select Committees and allow for better public engagement. I have long argued for a means by which public pressure can trigger a debate, and even vote, on important issues on the floor of the Commons.

Another long-standing personal crusade has been to allow members of the UK Youth Parliament to hold their annual debate in the Commons chamber. I first proposed this in 2004 and last Friday saw the inspiring sight of 400 youngsters debating with eloquence, maturity and enthusiasm. A very different and great parliamentary occasion.

On the other hand it has been a pretty pathetic spectacle to hear MPs whining about being unable to profit personally from second homes allowances.

Any new system must be transparent, fair, workable and deliver better value for the taxpayer. It must, however, ensure MPs have the resources needed to do their jobs properly. Parliament must never again become a place open only to the privately wealthy or externally sponsored.

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