Government Survives Welfare Vote
Aberystwyth - The Government of Geraint Llewelyn survived an important vote in the House of Commons today. Rebellious backbenchers had threatened to derail the plans to increase welfare and social work spending put forth by the Government only four months ago.
When the White Paper, "Welfare Spending in the Holy and Serene Republic," was published, the Interior Ministry (which has responsibility for social spending) and the Exchequer both indicated that welfare spending was too low. Indeed, Lloegr-Cymru ranks as amongst the countries in the IDU who spend the least on welfare programs. This has been identified by the Government has a perplexing anamoly for such a rich country. However, the paper stopped short at giving a specific timetable for legislative action.
Shortly after its publication, Iorweth Rhys-Jones MP for West Marches of Gwyneth indicated that other right-leaning members of the governing Third Way Party would block the measure. There are currently enough right-leaning members of the governing party to give the Government a bumpy ride. The Government made no further mention of the plans, and most analysts believed the plans had been shelved.
However, the Government was forced into acting after a spat of news reports of a crime wave. The Prime Minister was determined to take a strong stance on this issue. Therefore, much to the surprise of many MPs, he personally introduced an amendment to the supplemental spending bill currently working its way through parliament. Moreover, he made it a three-line whip, which compells members of the parliamentary party to go along with the Government.
The Opposition was quick to challenge the Government, particularly in light of the Prime Minister's personal intervention. Greg Michael Williams, the newly elected Leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, pounced on the Third Way during debate. He called the Government "adrift" for needing to rely on the Prime Minister's personal clout to pass its agenda. He questioned whether the Government should even be said to be "governing," when it seemed "to be responding to events, not leading."
The Prime Minister's only response in debate was to stress that the Government would not be defeated on this.
The amendment passed by three votes, well shy of the 70 seat majority the Government enjoys. There has been no word from the Whips' Office or the Prime Minister's Residence as to what, if any, punishment will be meted out against the right-leaning rebels.
IDUNews
When the White Paper, "Welfare Spending in the Holy and Serene Republic," was published, the Interior Ministry (which has responsibility for social spending) and the Exchequer both indicated that welfare spending was too low. Indeed, Lloegr-Cymru ranks as amongst the countries in the IDU who spend the least on welfare programs. This has been identified by the Government has a perplexing anamoly for such a rich country. However, the paper stopped short at giving a specific timetable for legislative action.
Shortly after its publication, Iorweth Rhys-Jones MP for West Marches of Gwyneth indicated that other right-leaning members of the governing Third Way Party would block the measure. There are currently enough right-leaning members of the governing party to give the Government a bumpy ride. The Government made no further mention of the plans, and most analysts believed the plans had been shelved.
However, the Government was forced into acting after a spat of news reports of a crime wave. The Prime Minister was determined to take a strong stance on this issue. Therefore, much to the surprise of many MPs, he personally introduced an amendment to the supplemental spending bill currently working its way through parliament. Moreover, he made it a three-line whip, which compells members of the parliamentary party to go along with the Government.
The Opposition was quick to challenge the Government, particularly in light of the Prime Minister's personal intervention. Greg Michael Williams, the newly elected Leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, pounced on the Third Way during debate. He called the Government "adrift" for needing to rely on the Prime Minister's personal clout to pass its agenda. He questioned whether the Government should even be said to be "governing," when it seemed "to be responding to events, not leading."
The Prime Minister's only response in debate was to stress that the Government would not be defeated on this.
The amendment passed by three votes, well shy of the 70 seat majority the Government enjoys. There has been no word from the Whips' Office or the Prime Minister's Residence as to what, if any, punishment will be meted out against the right-leaning rebels.
IDUNews
posted by The Draig and Telegraph Staff at 11:01 am
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