Parliamentary Campaigns
Below the LRC gives you a guide to the major bills to be debated by MPs between now and October 2008. Let us know what you think about the Bills, and what should be the focus of our campaigns. Email us at info@l-r-c.org.uk.
Climate Change Bill - The Bill creates a legal framework to reduce UK carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. It also sets sectoral targets for emissions reductions, but excludes aviation and shipping.
Campaigners will be fighting for an 80% reduction target by 2050; for legally-binding annual reductions; and for aviation emissions to be included. Download the Friends of the Earth briefing on the Climate Change Bill.
Constitutional Renewal Bill - Following the Governance of Britain Green Paper, this Bill will propose law changes to give MPs the final say on declaring war and on signing treaties. It may also change the role of the Attorney General and judicial appointments. There is also a chance that it may include a Bill of Rights.
Counter-Terrorism Bill - The Government is attempting to increase the period that terrorist suspects can be detained without charge from the current 28 to 42 days, following the failure last year to extend the period to 90 days.
The Bill will also allow adverse presumptions to be made from the right to silence, and allow for post-charge questioning. For more about the campaign to oppose extension from 28 days, see the JUSTICE website. Lobby your MP to sign up to Amendment 4 tabled by Andrew Dismore opposing any extension in pre-trial detention.
EU Amendment Bill - Labour promised a referendum on the EU constitution in the 2005 manifesto. LRC Conference policy is to oppose the EU constitution, and the 2007 TUC voted overwhelmingly for a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.
Housing and Regeneration Bill - The Bill will create a new Homes and Communities Agency to build 3 million homes by 2020, but does not allow the ‘fourth option’ of direct investment in council housing, nor does it give sufficient powers and funds to local authorities to build new council housing. See the Defend Council Housing website for more information.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - The Bill contains clauses on stem cell research, IVF and the possibility for amendments to abortion law. Pro-choice campaigners will be looking to amend the law that a woman must gain the consent of two doctors for an abortion, while maintaining the current time limit of 24 weeks. See the Left Women's Network website for more information.
Planning Bill - The Bill reduces the public accountability over planning decisions for major infrastructure such as airports, motorways and nuclear power stations. See the Planning Disaster coalition website for more information. Lobby your MP to support the amendments tabled by David Drew, John McDonnell and Paul Truswell. MPs will be debating these amendments on Monday 23rd June.
Employment Bill - The Bill contains measures to strengthen enforcement of the national minimum wage, reform of Employment Tribunals, and introduces legislation following the ASLEF victory at the European Courts to exclude BNP members. There are opportunities to table amendments to improve workers' rights.
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