John Bercow and those EDMs
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Following his election as Speaker of the House of Commons in June, John Bercow has removed his name (as a matter of parliamentary convention) from three Early Day Motions. However, the fact that he signed them in the first place is evidence enough of where his sympathies lies. You may be interested to see what they are:
EDM 189
Point of Sale Display of Tobacco Products
Taylor, David (Labour)
That this House welcomes the Government's announcement of legislation to prohibit point of sale display of tobacco products in the 2008 Queen's Speech; notes that the Department of Health estimates that this will lead to up to 2,800 fewer young people taking up smoking each year, saving many thousands of lives in the longer-term; and calls upon the Government to commit itself to open, full and genuine consultation with all affected and interested parties on the most effective means of implementation of this legislation, in line with its obligations under the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which requires it to protect its public health policies from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.
EDM 554
Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products
Taylor, Richard (Independent)
That this House notes the recently adopted Article 13 guidelines to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which define tobacco packaging and display as a means of advertising and promotion; acknowledges that research has found that current tobacco packaging is misleading by implying that some tobacco products are less harmful than others; believes that misleading packaging is in contravention of the EU directive on tobacco products and that research also shows that removing colours and brand imagery from packs increases the effectiveness of health warnings; supports the prohibition of retail display of tobacco products; and urges the Government to introduce measures to require plain packaging of all tobacco products by regulation.
EDM 768
Sale of Tobacco from Vending Machines
Ruane, Chris (Labour)
That this House supports the call of over 100 health organisations for urgent action to ensure a new generation of young people do not become smokers; believes that children's easy access to cigarettes through tobacco vending machines undermines other important tobacco control measures; notes that the British Heart Foundation estimates that over 46,000 11 to 15 year-old regular smokers bought cigarettes through vending machines in England and Wales in 2006; recognises that this number may now be higher as the age limit for purchasing tobacco has been extended from 16 to 18 years; expresses concern that age verification systems for vending machines using remote-controls, tokens, identity cards or other means are insecure; further notes the UK's commitments as a party to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its guidelines which recommend banning sales of tobacco from vending machines as they constitute a means of advertising and promotion for smoking; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to bring an immediate end to all sales of tobacco products from vending machines in England and Wales through the Health Bill.
Good to know that the House is in such "liberal" hands.
Lest we forget: "John Bercow welcomes the decision for a complete ban on smoking in public places" - see HERE.
Reader Comments (3)
Two questions remain unanswered:
1. Why has he removed his name from three Early Day Motions? You say it is a matter of parliamentary convention, but I do not think it is in all cases is it?
2. Neither the EDMs or his website are dated. Do you know the dates of any of these?
Just leave off the second syllable of his surname for an apt description of his nature.
Dick, don't insult bercs