Key Quotes - Politics

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Last update: Wednesday 25th March




The Bishop of Durham has strongly criticised Government plans to “rush” ahead with constitutional changes to “distract” attention from other problems. Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week announced plans that would include ending the self-regulation of Parliament by the summer and then pressing ahead with reform of the House of Lords. Bishop Tom Wright, responding to the proposals, accused Mr Brown of using the need to clean up expenses system as a Trojan Horse to smuggle in other proposals and launched a stinging attack on “career politicians”.
Politics	Church of England- June 2009



Gordon Brown was accused of an “establishment stitch-up” by David Cameron after announcing the inquiry into the Iraq War would be held behind closed doors. The decision, taken for reasons of national security, was attacked by MPs from all sides as well as families of the troops killed in the conflict.
Politics	The Sentinel- 16 June 2009



Christians have been challenged to exert a greater influence on government policy - by a senior Labour minister. Stephen Timms explained that the Government shares the Christian vision of social justice. Input from Christians and other faith groups involved in social action work to the shaping of future policies is therefore crucial to ensure ‘community renewal’. “We need the views and values of Christians to be expressed and we need that for renewal to happen. We want your influence to grow in the community where you work and your influence to grow in society.”
Politics	Salvationist- June 2009



Ambitious plans to put Stoke-on-Trent forward as a UK cultural capital came from a top Government adviser it has emerged. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) sent a delegation to the city on May 1 to see what attractions and facilities are on offer. During the visit, DCMS director of culture Mick Elliott told representatives from Stoke-on-Trent City Council that they should submit a bid to become UK Capital of culture in 2017. If the programme goes ahead, a different city will receive the title every four years, beginning in 2013. The city council’s head of community services, Ian van Arkadie, said praise from a senior Government figure was a huge boost for the city’s hopes of taking the title. He stressed that success would require an enormous effort by the authority, its commercial and voluntary sector partners and local communities over the next eight years.
Politics	The Sentinel- 20 May 2009



Shari'a Courts in the UK have been compared to the justice meted out by famous gangsters the Kray brothers, by Lord Tebbit. A debate in the House of Lords over the position of Shari'a Law was mired in controversy following Lord Tebbit’s comments. Justice Minister Lord Bach had told the House: “Shari'a Law is not part of the law of the United Kingdom and the Government has no intention of making any change to that position.”
Politics	Church of England- June 2009



A senior Conservative MP used his tax-payer funded expenses to have his swimming pool cleaned. James Arbuthnot claimed for pool maintenance as well as £2,433 for the cost of a housekeeper, according to the Daily Telegraph. The news came as it is expected a new independent audit unit will take over the scrutiny of the claims. There are fears though that the unit could be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
Politics	The Sentinel – 12 May 2009



BNP victories in the European elections have been condemned by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade. The British National Party claimed two European seats, despite pleas for the public to resist the party from Bishop Reade, the Archbishop of York John Setamu, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams.
Politics	Church of England- June 2009



Labour councillors have chosen a new leader in a bid to re-engage with disillusioned voters. Councillor Mike Barnes beat three other candidates to be elected as the leader of the Stoke-on-Trent City Council Labour group at the organisation’s AGM. The Longton South Ward member replaces outgoing leader, Councillor Joy Garner. The new deputy group leader is Councillor Adrian Knapper, portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development and ward member for Berry Hill and Hanley East. Mr Knapper replaces Councillor Mark Davis as the deputy leader of the 16-strong group.
Politics	The Sentinel– 18 May 2009



A senior Labour MP revealed yesterday that he voluntarily paid back almost £15,000 of tax-payer funded expenses last year. Former party chairman Ian McCartney said he handed back the cash paid for furnishing his second home after rules were tightened last year. Mr McCartney represents the Makerfield constituency in Wigan.
Politics	The Sentinel– 18 May 2009



A Staffordshire MP who is the fifth highest claimer of expenses in the Commons has told The Sentinel that all her money has been spent legitimately. Charlotte Atkins, MP for the Staffordshire Moorlands, claimed £443,244 in expenses in four years. Mrs Atkins, who lives in Leek, says all the cash is spent on running her constituency office and paying her four researchers. She added: “I know the public currently regards MPs as a scourge but I believe my record speaks for itself. I am a hardworking MP.”
Politics	The Sentinel– 18 May 2009



Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has called into question the ‘moral authority’ of Parliament following the MPs’ expenses debacle. He said: “It’s clear that the public at large are scandalised by the way MPs have firstly policed their expenses and allowances, and then we discover there have been widespread abuses of the system they themselves have put in place. It is not a defence to say you have broken no rules because what many of them have done is to milk the system for all it’s worth. When this is public money, it is a betrayal of trust…”
Politics	Salvationist- May 2009



A binding code of conduct for MPs will be part of a package of measures to ‘clean up’ politics, Gordon Brown said as he battled to rescue Labour from an expense scandal-fuelled meltdown. The Prime Minister moved to revive his constitutional reform plans after his party was dumped into third place in a General Election based opinion poll.
Politics	The Sentinel- 1 June 2009



Giving MPs a daily allowance alongside their salaries would help encourage them to turn up for work, Downing Street suggested. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said one of the main advantages of the government’s prioposed “clocking on” system was that politicians would have an “incentive” to attend parliament. The argument was put forward after the UK’s sleaze watchdog insisted there was a “powerful argument” against the plans.
Politics	The Sentinel – 24 April 2009



Public anger at the pay and perks of MP’s was further highlighted with a poll showing widespread dissatisfaction with the current system. A majority of voters believe MP’s are abusing their expense claims, according to a Populus survey. The findings follow a string of new revelations that members of the government have become embroiled in controversy over their expenses.
Politics	The Sentinel- 7 April 2009



The Tory frontbencher arrested over home office leaks was told by the police he faced life imprisonment. Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green, who found out yesterday he will not face criminal charges over the leaks , said arresting officers told him at the time ‘’ Do you realise that this offence could lead to life imprisonment?’’ The MP said he thought the assertion was ‘absurd’.
Politics	The Sentinel- April 17th 2009

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