, 4 tweets, 1 min read Read on Twitter
We can debate whether this is a good idea, but it is not a "coup". It is not an attack on democracy, or a violent overthrow of our institutions. All governments draw their authority from Parliament. And what Parliament giveth, Parliament can take away. 1/4
2. What MPs are proposing would mean a significant shift in the balance between Executive & Legislature. So it shouldn't be done lightly. But that balance has already been disrupted by the Fixed Term Parliament Act, making it harder to remove a zombie govt unable to pass its laws
3. Standing Order 14, which gives the Executive priority over parliamentary business, was only introduced in the 1880s, when organised disruption by Irish MPs threatened to make Parliament unworkable. It was a response to a specific crisis, not a settlement for the rest of time.
4. So by all means, let's debate and even oppose what's being suggested. But don't call it a "coup". Or if you do, accept your share of the blame when someone takes up arms against it. Words matter: and when we're sitting on a powder-keg, we all have a duty not to light matches.
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