Mr Duncan will remain on the frontbench as Shadow Prison Minister.

The Conservative leader has appointed Sir George Young to replace Alan Duncan as Shadow Commons Leader. Sir George, a former transport secretary under John Major, stood for the role of Commons Speaker earlier this year and will head up Tory plans for Commons reform.

Former Shadow Prisons Minister, Edward Garnier, has been appointed Shadow Attorney General, a role previously held by Dominic Grieve who will now focus on his role as Shadow Justice Secretary.

Alex Salmond told the Scottish Parliament that “This year’s programme focuses on many of the fundamental challenges we face as a society, as well as raising the ambitions of the people of Scotland. Our plans will see us make sure that opportunity is shared throughout society and in all corners of our nation so that no one, and no part of the country, is left behind.”

The full list of proposed bills is:

* Alcohol Bill
* Budget Bill
* Children’s Hearings Bill
* Crofting Reform Bill
* Debt and Family Homes Bill
* Debtor Protection Bill
* Forth Crossing Bill
* Historic Environment (Amendment) Bill
* Housing Bill
* Legal Services Bill
* Patients’ Rights Bill
* Referendum Bill
* Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

At 10 o’clock tonight Anne Main, Conservative MP for St. Albans, will fight for her political career at a meeting of her local party. Ms Main won her seat from Labour in 2005. However, with her majority under threat there are fears within her party that the seat might go the Liberal Democrats’ way come the next general election.

Ms Main is currently under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Watchdog and there is an attempt underway to deselect her before the watchdog delivers their verdict. Ms Main says that Commons authorities approved her daughter staying in her constituency residence, sometimes rent free, she hasn’t been ordered to pay the money back, and her claims were cleared by the Conservative’s internal scrutiny panel. However, there seems to be a power struggle between Ms Main and the Constituency Chairman Seema Kennedy and her two deputies Matthew Peck and Mary Zambra. When Ms Kennedy and Mr Peck both tried, and failed, to get seats on the county council in the last council election, they asked Ms Main to leave quietly. She refused.

Although she has the support of the 40-strong executive committee of local party activists, all three hundred local party members will vote tonight on whether she should be allowed to stand in next year’s general election. The council will also have a discussion to decide on the fate of her opponents. If Ms Keen is retained as a candidate they might be suspended from party membership for launching a vote of no confidence against a sitting party member. Mr Peck claims that he was calling for Ms Main to be deselected in response to poll information given to him by Central Office; he also said that a significant contributing factor to his vote of no confidence in Ms Main had been her expenses claims.

However, if they are successful Ms Main will remain a Conservative MP but won’t stand as the party’s candidate next year, though she could still stand as an independent.

This issue is another headache for David Cameron today as Alan Duncan struggles to retain his job after being secretly filmed saying MPs live on rations. Maybe it was wrong to assume that the expenses scandal had disappeared just because the Daily Telegraph took it off their front page.

John Bercow has already put ministers under greater pressure from backbenchers since becoming Speaker of the House.

Comparing the final ten sitting days before this and last year’s summer recesses, DeHavilland has identified an immediate rise in the role of backbenchers.  

Ministers faced ten percent more oral questions as the new Speaker demanded business be handled at pace. Along with the new average 46.4 questions answered in hour long questions sessions, Mr Bercow oversaw three urgent questions, compared with none the year before.

Statements to the Commons also saw a rise in responses, with a typical twenty-three under Mr Martin rising to twenty-nine under John Bercow.

This is the first indication that John Bercow will keep his promise and strengthen the role of backbenchers and the Commons. Indeed if this improved scrutiny continues then a bolder class of backbenchers could well impact on any future government with a small majority.

A year on from the Labour Party Conference and what seemed to be strategic manoeuvrings by David Miliband to force a leadership contest, would it be too soon to suggest that Ed Miliband, young brother and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, could succeed where David failed and become leader of the party?

If Labour go on to win the next general election, he may not wish to become saddled leading a party and government which many feel have lost their focus. However, should the party lose, and Gordon Brown steps aside, Ed could be a suitable match to Prime Minister David Cameron in four years time. Both studied at Oxford, both are fathers of young families, and with only three years between the two, some might feel he could bring the much needed vigour lacking in the party at present.  

The recent handling of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, which received wide support from green groups and business alike, demonstrates Ed can be trusted with major controversial issues. And his relaxed appearance at Latitude festival this weekend suggests he can not only engage the public, but also win the case for nuclear and other unpopular issues amongs a left-leaning crowd. 

The next Labour Party Conference and the UN summit in Copenhagen in December may well test the Minister’s mettle. Should he come away from the meeting with the right deal, even if Labour fare as badly at the next election as the polls suggest, Ed Miliband may be well placed to reap some reward.

Wednesday 15th July 2009

More helicopters are needed to support the troops, the Conservatives argued today.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time, Conservative leader David Cameron (Witney) argued that clear limits and greater urgency was needed on UK efforts in Afghanistan in order to maintain public support for the troops’ efforts. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the UK owed a debt of gratitude to the people of Wootton Bassett. The purpose of operations in Afghanistan had been to combat the Taliban he told the House. To this end they were helping to develop the Afghan forces and develop civil society in Afghanistan. Terrorist activities had to be addressed in Pakistan and Afghanistan he insisted, stating that the government kept equipment needs under review. Discussions with President Karzai would ensure Afghanistan provided military equipment and to ensure that afghan army could take over security efforts.

The early objectives had been lofty, Mr Cameron felt; the Prime Minister must admit this. The number of helicopters in Afghanistan were insufficient, he argued. UK forces were supported by fewer than 30 helicopters, compared with US forces who were supported by more than 100. Helicopters would not have saved the lives of the recently killed soldiers, Mr Brown told the house. Helicopter numbers and hours had been increased, he stated. Transferring helicopters from Iraq to Afghanistan would take time he explained. £6bn would be allocated to improve helicopter provision he stated, predicting a further 11 helicopters to add to the allied effort.

One of difficulties in Afghanistan was the shortage in helicopters Mr Cameron insisted. There had been no proportional increase in helicopters he argued. The armed forces had called for additional resources, he said, highlighting concerns from the former chief of defence staff indicating lives could have been saved. The reason the UK did not have enough helicopters, was because the government had reduced the defence budget by 1.4bn, despite concerns raised by the National Audit Office, he said. Helicopters had gone up significantly more than troop numbers, the Prime Minister replied. Armed forces on the ground said they had sufficient equipment he stated, explaining that it was time Afghan forces helped with defence efforts. £4bn had been allocated to UOR he told the house and £6bn had been allocated for helicopter spending, with more Merlins expected in the near future. Work with allies would ensure the best equipment would be provided. The loss of life in Panthers Claw had not been due to a lack of helicopters he insisted. Progress was being made he stressed, calling for cross-party consensus to support the armed forces.

The international helicopter fund had not yet added a single helicopter, Mr Cameron responded. Only one Chinook was ready, he observed. The Chinooks were being adapted for Afghanistan Mr Brown said, noting that 11 helicopters had been promised. This equipment must be adapted to the terrain and forces had to be adequately trained, he asserted. Military commanders would always want more equipment, but commanders in the field had said they had the necessary equipment he insisted.

Mr Cameron feared the military review being drawn up by Bernard Gray would be delayed and redacted. The Government was undertaking preliminary review of defence equipment by identify strategic tasks ahead before undertaking an overall review, Gordon Brown said.

There was a lack of ministerial commitment form the government, Mr Cameron alleged. The government was fully supported to the troops, Mr Brown said, calling for cross-party support for the forces.

The Government was betraying the British people through inactivity, the Liberal Democrats argued today.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (Sheffield Hallam) asserted that people were crying out for change. Mr Brown was not in charge, he claimed, stating that he was unable to deal with banker’s bonuses and reform of Parliament. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that the country wanted the Government to take people through the recession. Opposition parties hade no policies to help people, he insisted.

Mr Clegg lamented no action on banking bonuses and the reform of Parliament. People were being betrayed, he argued. Bills were being brought in to reform the House of Commons, Mr Brown replied, adding that the Liberal Democrats should use recess top assess why they had no policies on the recession.

From the Backbenches

Conservative John Maples (Stratford-upon-Avon) noted that 3000 troops were initially sent to Afghanistan as part of a reconstruction mission which had now changed to combating terrorism. He called on the Prime Minister reassess these objectives and how achievable they were. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted that since 2001 the objective had been to restrain and defeat terrorism. It was imperative to ensure that terrorism did not occur in Britain which was why Britain could not allow the Taliban to flourish in Pakistan, he argued. For the first time the Pakistani Government was taking action in a systematic way which meant there was complementary action in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, he told MPs.

Labour MP Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) highlighted a Speaker’s Conference report on increasing diversity in the House of Commons. She called for the Government to add its support for this report. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that this was an opportunity to increase the number of women, disabled people and those from ethnic minorities in the House of Commons. He questioned why the Conservatives had opposed the Equality Bill at Second Reading.

Labour Mark Todd (South Derbyshire) asked the Prime Minister to look again at the decision regarding appeals for those who brought compensation cases following exposure to nuclear material. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he would look at this. He cautioned that because they were legal matters the Government should proceed carefully.

Labour MP Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) asserted that the UK needed a third aircraft carrier which would benefit the armed forces and those employed in defence manufacturing. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stressed that the Government was committed to building aircraft carriers which were an important part of the future naval equipment.

Conservative Charles Hendry (Wealden) raised the case of a two year old being taken into care, calling for children’s interests to be paramount and for parents’ views to be heard. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that local authorities could not put children up for adoption without consent unless sanctioned by the courts, adding that a streamlining of family courts was taking place.

Labour MP Betty Williams (Conwy) highlighted a campaign by church leaders in her constituency concerning child poverty and asked the Prime Minister to give the same commit Make Poverty History. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown this was so important that the Government would bring forward a Bill committing the Government to eradicate child poverty. Child benefit and tax credits were being increased and the Government was building Sure Start centres, he stated.

Conservative Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) lamented that planning on traveller sites was being transferred to unelected bodies. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that he would look at this. Needs of local residents and wider commitments needed to be balanced, he argued.

Labour MP Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley) noted work by charities in her constituency that enabled people with autism to work and make a contribution to their community. She asked for this to be taken on board in the current consultation on support for adults with autism. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that the Autism Bill would require the Government to produce a national strategy on autism. This was a major problem that had long gone unrecognised, but the Green Paper would make a difference to people with autism receiving the care they needed, he said.

Conservative James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire) asserted that helicopter numbers in Afghanistan should have been addressed previously. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that there had been a 60 per cent increase in helicopters in the last two years. Helicopters had to be re-equipped to deal with the Afghan terrain and everything was being done to equip forces adequately, he added.

Labour MP Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) highlighted the youth citizenship commission report and suggested the electoral age be reduced. Noting the report, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said young people must be engaged in political discussions, which must start in schools and education. He welcomed the recent decision to allow the youth parliament to sit in the house.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) argued that now would be good time to consider permanent recognition for those who served abroad in the armed forces. Prime Minister Gordon Brown replied that he would look at these recommendations.

Labour MP George Howarth (Knowsley North and Sefton East) lamented 300 job losses at Jaguar following changes to Land Rover. He called for assurances that the company would be helped. Responding, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated that the Government would help those made redundant get back into work. A grant of £27 million to build low carbon Land Rovers was being offered, he confirmed.

Conservative MP Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) asked whether insuring against the threat of state-versus-state warfare remained a core role of the armed forces, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that the Government remained committed to ensuring that the troops were fully supported. In supplementary, Dr Lewis pressed the Prime Minister to explain what would be cut from military efforts, arguing that there was insufficient funding. Defence spending had continued to rise, Mr Brown replied, and a further £14bn had been allocated to the military campaign in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Recently appointed chair of the Select Committee to Reform the House of Commons, Dr Wright gave stark warnings to lobbyists during the Public Administration Committee’s latest evidence session today.

Noting dramatic changes in public appetite for political reform and demands for greater transparency in public life, he advised lobbyists to make better progress on their somewhat lacklustre efforts to improve transparency in the industry. Progress would be made one way or another he warned, so they had ‘better adjust’.

Given the task he has set freedom of information campaigners of drafting a possible bill, combined with plans to stand down at the next election over ill health, the sense of urgency in his warnings was more than evident. And with the Government’s reponse to the Committee’s report due before recess, the gauntlet has most firmly been laid.