October 27 2014

It’s strange how some of my parliamentary colleagues seem determined to hold out against one of the most logical and much-needed reforms. Admittedly their arguments are based on good constitutional practice; but when the public are so disillusioned with the political process then change becomes essential.

I refer in particular to the Recall Bill that will allow voters to recall their MP mid-term if he or she falls below the standards expected. Recall exists in many countries though in many different forms. Full marks to the Government for at least bringing proposals forward though they fail what I consider to be a fundamental ingredient of any process of recall; it is the voters who should be in the driving seat not a committee of MPs even though it may be supplemented with lay members – I doubt that the powers that be would pluck those lay members from the streets of Immingham or Cleethorpes. Most likely they would be from the ranks of the ‘great and the good.’ Most of these are indeed decent, honourable people but for the public to have faith in the system it must be seen to be completely transparent and such is the state of public opinion at the moment that won’t be the case if the Government appear to be in control.        

I made this and other points during the debate and it was quite clear that there is a widespread view that those of us who will be putting forward some far-reaching amendments over the next week or two are growing in number. The Government are indicating that they might support some change – I hope so.

There needs to be proper protection against politically motivated campaigns that force by-elections based on the political stance of a sitting member. Many significant changes have come about as a result of MPs campaigning for changes which, at the time, were unpopular. Public opinion changes and some of these are now accepted by the overwhelming majority.

When my phone rang at about 8.30 on Wednesday evening to tell me that the Parliamentary Committee that had been considering the Able UK application to develop the South Humber Marine Energy Park had reached its verdict and rejected ABP’s objections it was something of a relief as the word going round only 24 hours earlier was that it would be at least another week before a decision would be arrived at.

This brought to an end three years of meetings, lobbying and discussion during the exhaustive process to which the scheme has been subjected. All four northern Lincolnshire MPs have worked together, cross-party to bring about a development that has the potential for hundreds of jobs and help establish the Humber Estuary as the off-shore renewables capital of the UK. Hundreds are already benefiting from the growing number of jobs in this sector, and it’s not just those directly employed but the service industries that receive a boost as the local economy gets the shot in the arm it needs.

It’s often a surprise to constituents visiting Westminster that so much cross-party work goes on; we all have the same aim which is to benefit those we represent even if the route is very different.

Whatever reservations we may have about the benefits of off-shore wind turbines surely we should all agree that if they can be maintained, assembled, designed and preferably constructed here with all the jobs on offer then we must give our support and those politicians who oppose them will have to explain themselves.