Comments on: Ratification of Appointments http://socialliberal.net/2009/02/18/ratification-of-appointments/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:09:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Chris White http://socialliberal.net/2009/02/18/ratification-of-appointments/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Chris White Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:07:34 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=108#comment-87 I am actually a member of a quango (the Audit Commission). I was offered up by the LGA Lib Dem Group as one of two political nominees. Both of us had to fill in a form and were interviewed. We then had to fill in departmental forms and were interviewed by civil servants and the Chair of the Commission. The process was testing. I won't comment on the result. The problem is that no-one else is aware of it. For all the public knows, I am a purely political nominee - an anonymous seat filler. So I would welcome the opportunity to answer questions from parliamentarians and indeed from other interested parties - the Audit Commission deals with local government so you could make a case that the public scrutiny should include those who are eminent in local government. I don't agree with restricting the numbers of ministers unless there has already been massive devolution. In my experience ministers are hopelessly overloaded under the current centralised system. Devolve then cut! I am actually a member of a quango (the Audit Commission). I was offered up by the LGA Lib Dem Group as one of two political nominees. Both of us had to fill in a form and were interviewed. We then had to fill in departmental forms and were interviewed by civil servants and the Chair of the Commission. The process was testing. I won’t comment on the result.

The problem is that no-one else is aware of it. For all the public knows, I am a purely political nominee – an anonymous seat filler. So I would welcome the opportunity to answer questions from parliamentarians and indeed from other interested parties – the Audit Commission deals with local government so you could make a case that the public scrutiny should include those who are eminent in local government.

I don’t agree with restricting the numbers of ministers unless there has already been massive devolution. In my experience ministers are hopelessly overloaded under the current centralised system. Devolve then cut!

]]> By: Brian Robson http://socialliberal.net/2009/02/18/ratification-of-appointments/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Brian Robson Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:00:30 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=108#comment-86 I'd favour some sort of prior parliamentary review of appointments, but it'd need to be carefully arranged so it wasn't merely a formality, but also so it doesn't turn into a partisan bun-fight. I guess Paul Holmes' suggestions go some way to countering this. Parliamentary review of appointments also happens in Canada in a constitutional set-up that's more comparable to ours than the US. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb0621-e.pdf I’d favour some sort of prior parliamentary review of appointments, but it’d need to be carefully arranged so it wasn’t merely a formality, but also so it doesn’t turn into a partisan bun-fight. I guess Paul Holmes’ suggestions go some way to countering this.

Parliamentary review of appointments also happens in Canada in a constitutional set-up that’s more comparable to ours than the US.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpubs/prb0621-e.pdf

]]> By: Ned http://socialliberal.net/2009/02/18/ratification-of-appointments/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Ned Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:59:41 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=108#comment-16 The total number of paid ministers is limited, and there's not many MPs doing a full-time ministerial job unpaid. Of course, it's not limited as much as you suggest, Bernard. :) The total number of paid ministers is limited, and there’s not many MPs doing a full-time ministerial job unpaid. Of course, it’s not limited as much as you suggest, Bernard. :)

]]> By: Bernard Salmon http://socialliberal.net/2009/02/18/ratification-of-appointments/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Bernard Salmon Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:12:42 +0000 http://socialliberal.net/?p=108#comment-15 I agree with James that ministers should be included in any improved system of ratification. I would also argue that we should consider limiting the total number of ministers, to constrain the Executive's dominance of Parliament. In most departments, I think one cabinet-level minister and one junior minister should probably be sufficient. I agree with James that ministers should be included in any improved system of ratification. I would also argue that we should consider limiting the total number of ministers, to constrain the Executive’s dominance of Parliament. In most departments, I think one cabinet-level minister and one junior minister should probably be sufficient.

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