Angry MPs Demand Recall Of Parliament (UK - Lebanon)

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 8-9-2006 | Patrick Wintour - Ewen MacAskill - Oliver Burkeman

[blam]

Angry MPs demand recall of parliament

Discontent over UK's Lebanon policy

Patrick Wintour, Ewen MacAskill and Oliver Burkeman in New York
Wednesday August 9, 2006
The Guardian (UK)

Up to 100 MPs, most of them Labour, are to demand an immediate recall of parliament to debate the crisis in Lebanon because of growing fears about the government's strategy. The call is expected to come in the next 48 hours and its organisers have been in discussion with the Liberal Democrat and Scottish Nationalist parties. Negotiations are also under way with campaign groups backing the call for an immediate ceasefire that attracted the support of 200 MPs.

Jon Trickett, chairman of the Compass group of 50 leftwing MPs and a force behind the appeal, said: "In this crisis, parliament needs to speak for the nation. We are living in a 24/7 society, yet our parliament seems so ossified that it goes into recess for 11 weeks and there seems no way for backbenchers to bring MPs back."

The demand will be made in a letter to Jack Straw, the leader of the Commons. The Speaker will take the decision, on the recommendation of the government.

The mood in Downing Street is that there is no great need for a recall. However, cabinet sources acknowledged that if the moves towards a UN resolution collapse, that could change.

The atmosphere at the UN was tense. Until late afternoon, diplomats appeared to be on the verge of securing a ceasefire deal, after the US and France devised concessions to an Arab League delegation that flew into New York on behalf of the Lebanese government. But at an extraordinary and emotional session of the security council, attended by representatives of Israel and Lebanon, each side aggressively reasserted a refusal to compromise.

[ClaireSolt]

Where did all these people ever get the idea that calling for ceasefires does any good? They can get together in parliament and call and call until the cows come home. so what?

[blam]

I guess it just makes them feel good. Plus, another opportunity to skewer Blair for supporting the USA.

[mewzilla]

They're channeling Neville Chamberlain.

[goldstategop]

There will be no ceasefire. The resolution's terms have been changed to the liking of Hezbollah and the Arabs. Its dead, Jim.

((Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[bruinbirdman]

"recall of parliament "

This is the same as the Donkeys trying to impeach GW. Blair was elected by parliament not a popular vote.

yitbos