#Parliament Question

[kamlesm]

Work culture in Govt Office: Office politics

How people take advantage or exploit vulnerability of newly recruited people in service? When I joined a new job as a statistical assistant in Delhi University. It was statistical lab in a Medical research institution affiliated with DU, it had a clinical research unit that provided medical treatment to patients. My head of department and presumably research guide/mentor was doing statistical…

[visit-ba-sing-se]

Hello I do not know how to say this in a way that would do numbers on tumblr.com but if you are a citizen of an EU country this your reminder to vote in June. Elections for the EU-Parliament take place from the 6th to 9th of June depending on where you live, you can find more details on when and how to vote here.

I know that the EU can seem like this far away thing that you can have many complicated feelings about. But at this point so many key decisons are made at the European level, where the Parliament really can make or break a law. And I am talking about big topics like climate change and global politics but also everyday situations like buying stuff online or getting a refund for your delayed flight.

So even if it might not always be visible, who makes those decisions in the EU-Parliament does affect you now and will continue to do so in the future. Use your vote to determine in which way.

[just-ray]

politics guy!! would you be able to explain what the hell happened in the Dáil today?

I've been stuck in bed with flu, binge-watching Criminal Minds all day and I somehow missed the entire thing

Of course! Also W criminal minds. I had to attend a debate yesterday, so I’m not massively read up on the whole thing, but there’s what I understand:

a group of independent TDs took part in government formation, and about four of these TDs were not given junior ministerial roles. As a result, they want to continue sitting on the opposition bench, and to facilitate this, formed a technical group that would grant them opposition speaking rights.

supporting the independent TDs are:

-The Independent TDs and Reigonal Independant Group

-Fianna Fáil

-Fine Gael

Against the independent TDs are:

-a United opposition including

~Ivana Bacik (LAB)

~Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP)

~Mary Lou McDonald (SHINN)

~Cían ‘O Callaghan, assumably speaking on behalf of party leader Holly Cairns, who I believe is on maternity leave. (SocDem)

Those in abstention of opinion are:

-Verona Murphy

-Peadar Tobín (ew)

-Myself

Due to the unrest at the Independents attempt to maintain valuable opposition speaking time despite supporting the government the Dáil had to be suspended multiple times, and was unable to elect Micheal Martin as Taoiseach as previously planned due to the interference.

I personally have no opinion in the matter. On one hand, regardless of whether an independent td supports the government, they should be allocated the typical amount of speaking time as long as they are not IN the government. I adored the given of the 32nd Dáil, however I do not believe that tarnishes my identity as a Labour or SocDems supporter. On the other hand, they participated in, and influenced government formation talks, and…sort of…are in the government, just without a position. Opposition speaking time is very precious and allows those who are not in government to criticise, oppose and question it…if they don’t have any intention to criticise them, then what’s the point?

Make of it what you will! Martin will probably be elected today.

above, pictured: Mary Lou next to Pearse Doherty. She is serving cunt, he looks a bit worn out.

Above pictured: Verona Murphy, who seem to be using olaplex. I need to know who her stylist is.

[weirdstrangeandawful]

I was super lucky to grow up in Canada's capital and go to school a couple blocks from Parliament because, let me tell you, sitting in on the House of Commons is absolutely worth it as hell. And you can just do it. My friend and I would simply skip class and go visit and other times we'd hang out in the gallery after class and listen in.

If you're looking for drama, question period is where you're going to find it because that's where the most contentious issues are brought to the government so that's when most members of the public show up.

But I highly recommend sitting in on random other bits. Some things you get to hear and see:

Petitions. Parliamentary petitions have to be brought in front of the House and then responded to in writing within 45 days. Most petitions do not lead to meaningful change so most people don't see what gets brought up let alone the knee-jerk reaction members have to it (as much as they try to hide it) and they get disheartened. Most petitions actually do get a reaction from members!

Debates over bills and motions that pass easily. It's so easy to read the news or watch question period and think that members are incredibly polarised and hate each other to bits but many things just make it right through with incredible politeness.

The most out of tune rendition of Happy Birthday I have ever heard in my life. Poor Geoff Regan (amazing Speaker) had Happy Birthday sung to him by the entire House. Yes, they put forward a motion and he upheld it. No, they cannot sing. No, I don't think they even all sang it in the same language. Yes, he looked distressed.

The bit after question period. This is really interesting. The last time I went happened to be during the NAFTA talks in Trump's first term when Chrystia Freeland was Minister of Foreign Affairs. There is a mass exodus of MPs after question period officially ends but I remember being especially impressed by the sudden civility and complexity once the crowds left. Suddenly, with Freeland sitting mostly on her own against a few passionate opposition members, it was a lot easier to focus on the questions being put and the answers. I learned a lot.

Your MP. I lived in Ottawa at the time so my MP was there pretty consistently (I am no longer her constituent but I still appreciate her immensely) so I got to see what role she played in the House. I got to see who she was sitting next to, what she too notes on, who she whispered to, etc. So much goes on behind the scenes and you can get glimpses just by sitting in. If you're outside Ottawa and want to see them in person, just ask them when they'll be physically in the House so you can plan your trip.

Talk of dolphins. Maybe. Okay but seriously, you get to see talk of bills that have like nothing to do with you but are super interesting. I got to hear discussion on the protection of dolphins! I know like nothing about dolphins but neither did these MPs! It is so nice to hear things that are extremely contentious but not directly attacking you. You get to realise that hey, these people don't actually hate every population they don't have a stake in.

Some notes on accessibility:

I actually haven't gone back to Parliament since I moved out west so I haven't actually been there since the renovations started and the HoC got moved to West Block

From my experience, you basically have to go through airport security to get in since the 2014 shooting and, after the recent incident, I expect it's even tighter so keep that in mind

If you need to see a certain member or side of the House, you will need to sit in the opposite gallery. It is really difficult to look down at the side you are sitting over.

I haven't been since I've used mobility aids that have required more space but my recollection is that the seating in the gallery was similar to a movie theatre (I can't remember if there was any specific accessible area)

For hearing, it was impossible to hear for even hearing people and they know this so they have devices connected to your seat like a bar of plastic similar to a bad rendition of a landline telephone earpiece (think large plastic bar with speaker). You can switch between direct feed, French, and English and possibly a few other modes that I can't recall though I don't think they were other languages. My Deaf friend with CIs and I (HoH, pre-HAs) struggled but got by. I don't know if they've improved this since they moved. I hope so.

Email your MP if you want to go. This is your right and this is their/their assistants' job. If you are unable to attend and they will not assist, that is a constitutional and probably procedural violation.

Also CPAC exists but, I'll be honest I haven't used it so I cannot comment on what that misses (I may look once the election happens and Parliament is back in session and update but no promises)

[alexanderpearce]

really tickles me thinking about leaders sitting their MPs down before question time and going okay these words are the cue for you to all say „shame!“. at the end i want you to all chorus „they did!“ after everything i say. like a conductor or a dance instructor

[faunandfloraas]

Listening to a podcast about pine gap aka the us spy base in alice springs and even though I already knew about it, still it really just galls me

[mayasaura]

Rawiri Waititi declaring the political independence of the Māori peoples: What we have here is a toxic situationship

[corvidaedream]

sometimes i get very passionate about my job and how important it can be to give an accurate history of a moment in american history that's frequently referenced but which the general public in america has a lot of misconceptions about

and other times i spend an unproductive day trying to explain outdated tax law to a child who isn't equipped to understand, but who is very intent on asking "why?" repeatedly and i think maybe i understand why this protest specifically gets misrepresented and glossed over in schools.

[icryyoumercy]

... have we considered cliopher mdang showing up at the untheileneise court, taking one look at it and going 'this is the worst organised court i have ever seen, how do you people get anything done, gimme that' and then sends the entire government on vacation, and starts in on the paperwork

and when maia returns a week later, cliopher presents him with a stack of folders about three feet high, and goes 'i'm not fully familiar with your relevant culture and economy, but this is a rough outline of how to retire and abolish the emperor by the time you're fourty, and if sayo aisava can find us the required staff, you'll be able to begin working on it within the month'

[transparentgentlemenmarker]

Everything I have been saying for the last 25 years is coming true. We will shortly be a minority in our own land.

Reality

[transuk]

Wednesday, 7th February 2024

PM Rishi Sunak makes 'insensitive' comment on transgender women, whilst the mother of 16-year-old murdered trans teen Brianna Ghey attends Parliament

Recent responses to the PM's remarks have called for him to formally apologise.

During the Prime Minister's Questions this evening, PM Rishi Sunak, whilst highlighting the 'broken promises' of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, made a crude jibe about transgender women, one that has been met with backlash from the Labour Party, Brianna's father, and the public.

On Wednesday afternoon, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer met with Esther Ghey, mother of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, a trans teenager who was killed by two other teens in February of last year. Earlier this month, the names of Brianna's killers were released, with the judge of their trial designating transphobia as a motive for Brianna's murder.

In the House of Commons, during a parliamentary session that Brianna's mother was in attendance to, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, made a comment in regards to Sir Keir Starmer's position as Labour leader. Amongst other jibes, listing Starmer's 'broken promises' Sunak said:

"It's a bit rich, (addressing the Speaker) to hear about promises from someone that's broken every single promise he was elected on! I think I counted thirty in the last year. Pensions, planning, periges*, public sector pay. Tuition fees, childcare, second referendums. Defining a woman– although, in fairness, that was only 99% of a U-turn".

Starmer replied by reminding Sunak that Brianna's mother was present, describing him as 'parading as a man of integrity', which was met with calls of 'Shame!' in the chamber. Ater being asked to apologise by another MP, the Prime Minister called Brianna's death an "unspeakable and shocking tragedy", yet did not give any apology for his remark.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has claimed that Sunak's comment was 'taken out of context'

Watch the PM's comments and response here.

[historyartthings]

Has this been done as a poll yet?? Apologies if it has! It’s a very morbid one but it’s always been an incredibly divisive question and I’m curious.

Admittedly these are very simplistic answers. The reason being, whilst I acknowledge there’s more room for dimension of feeling there, I wanted to get to the basics of it if you like? Boiled down, when those charges against Anne were drawn up, did Henry honestly think they were true?

[just-ray]

What do you think about Northern Ireland or Manitoba's politics? I went to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly the other month and I quite enjoyed the tour. The tour guide was raised Francophone, which is interesting. They had a provincial election last year and the NDP won, meaning the premier now has the somewhat confusing title of first First Nations premier (mainly a confusing title because you say "first" twice in a row), which is not to say first Indigenous premier—Manitoba's first premier was a Métis man—because there are three main Indigenous groups in Canada. Also, I think Nunavut has only had Indigenous premiers, but I think they're Inuit, so Kinew is the first First Nations premier.

As for Sinn Féin, I don't mind them and I would probably vote for them if I was Irish, but some of their politics in the Republic seems like they aren't accounting for practicalities.

I think the Northern Irish political system is very interesting and kind of Alaskan.

This stream of consiousness is dated 20 September 2024 19:23 UTC-5

Ah lad that's a lot of words

But a lot of interesting words.

I find the difference between MPs and MLAs really interesting. In ireland, we have councillors (very local level. No national imput. Tends to be the start of someone's political career), Teachta Dala's (hs a constituency and can also work on a national level. Has a seat in the lower, widely considered MAIN house if the irish parliament) and Senators (usually the later years of someone's political career, but not necessarily. Does not have constituents, and will be corrected if they try to work on a level of constituency rather than a national level. Also arguably less power than TD's)

It's interesting because I researched Canadian and northern Irish MLAs for a bit after reading this and I know it's bad to compare, but I find that MLAs seem to be a mix of TD's and Councillors, while MPs seem to be a mix of TD's and Senators, although I could be wrong. I also find it interesting that MLAs and MPs mostly only have soft/agenda setting power. Irish TD's are allowed to be quite active in their constituencies.

May I also ask what you think of the NDP? As when I hear anything with the word democratic my brain goes "ding ding ding!" And I tend to like that party, however in Ireland, the theoretical most democratically and socially positive parties don't always take the most practical action, so it's about finding a balance, and it would be interesting to hear about how they are and how they're doing.

Also excuse my lack of knowledge on Northern Irish and Canadian politics, but can I ask, do Legislative Assembly parties mirror to Parliamentary (?) Parties. Eg, if you have party A, let's call them Tusa, in a Legislative Assembly, do you also have Tusa MP's?

Thanknyouuuuuuuuuiyu

[secretagentsagainstwhatever]

Uk people how would you of voted…?

[alexanderpearce]

this fucked up picture of the treasury, the national library, questacon, and the questacon science circus

[khwxbeeda]

Different day same question: is he hot or is he just wearing a black kurta???