M01: Cronyism

[Dame Evelyn Redgrave]

Madame Speaker,

I thank my Honourable colleagues, the Members for Eastwood, New Forest West, North East Bedfordshire and Chipping Barnet for their words in support of this motion.

I would also like to thank the Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey for offering the support of his party in this motion and for his thoughts on how we can improve the situation for public appointments in future.

We have seen ideas on how to move forward shared by these colleagues. Of note was the worthy suggestion by the Member for North East Bedfordshire in calling for Members convicted of a corruption offence to be forced out of this House and barred from the by-election and future public office, consistent in timing with the nature of the offence. Additionally, the idea from the Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey about expanding the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and other similar bodies is also one of significant merit in my view.

I’d also like to thank the Member for Southampton Test for his movement on this issue, at least somewhat accepting that the Government have failed when it comes to the NME appointment for the Member for Hartlepool and in offering to write to Sir Nigel Wicks about the matter.

However, I fundamentally disagree with the words of the Member for Southampton Test in claiming that this motion is “political manoeuvring” or that this is a “kangaroo court” or “childish behaviour”. In the Opposition, it is our job to hold the Government to account and scrutinise every action, hence the purpose of this motion. We saw the wrong in the appointment of the Member for Hartlepool and the wider culture within New Labour and decided to act.

So, whilst I may disagree with some of his points, I only wish that more Labour members would follow in his footsteps. This is particularly so considering that it is clear the Cabinet remain firmly behind the Member for Hartlepool’s appointment.

The Secretary of State for Health endorsed the Member for Hartlepool as a “fantastic leader” for the Dome project in spite of the clear, strong evidence that the Member for Hartlepool is ill-suited for this role.

With the Member concerned, we’ve seen evidence of his chaotic management from before, judging by words from former close colleagues Jennie Page and Stephen Bayley over the last few years. We’ve seen evidence of the massive overspending on the project and the comparatively poor return judging by the attendance figures and public reception during the Dome’s first year.

We know from scandals past that the Member has been forced to resign from the Cabinet twice in scandal and whilst some Members opposite may seek to distract by referring to scandals of a long-ago past, dealt with at the time, we live in the here and now. New Labour came to power proposing to be a different kind of leadership, one free from the scandal and sleaze of the past. In that, they have clearly failed and it is now time for change.

The talk of accountability for the Member for Hartlepool in his new role will need to be backed up with firmer action, given that the Member in his former role as Minister without Portfolio was clearly not held accountable at the time and the recent, serious questions regarding his closeness to the Prime Minister in whether there will be adequate action taken from Downing Street in the event of issues arising. If the Government are to press ahead with this appointment, they will need to follow words with action.

Madame Speaker,

The purpose of this motion was dual, namely to condemn the appointment of the Member for Hartlepool and to call for merit as the definitive factor in public appointments. On the latter point, I’m pleased that our tabling of the motion has sparked ideas from all sides of this House and that there is general agreement that we cannot go on as things have been.

However, until the government accepts that they have got it wrong with this appointment of the Member for Hartlepool and act accordingly, we cannot seriously move forward with wider, cross-party proposals of reform. A statement of intent is needed to show that all parties across this House, including the Government, are committed to change and that must begin with changing course on the appointment of the Member for Hartlepool. We cannot accept that a scandal-ridden former minister with a poor record the first time around is the right choice for this prestigious public role.

For those yet to decide how they are to vote on this motion, I would simply say to them that if they have any doubt about the appointment of the Member for Hartlepool and wish to make a break from the past then it is clear which side of the House they must stand with.

[Barclay A.A. Stanley]

B.B.: Division! Clear the lobbied.

[Blakesley]

Noe

[Will Frost]

Aye

[Dame Evelyn Redgrave]

Aye

[Brown]

No

[John Baker]

Aye

[Owain Jones]

Aye

[Sir Dylan Macmillan]

Aye

[Amelia Lockhart]

No.