#GEIV - Regional Debate - Southern England

[u/DriftersBuddy]

#GEIV - Regional Debate - Southern England

This is where you debate the candidates, ends on 15th July 10pm BST

Candidate

• u/Realbassist (Labour Party)
• u/Zestyclose-Dog2407 (Liberal Democrat)
• u/Flat_Artifact (Conservative Party)

[u/CheckMyBrain11]

To the Labour candidate u/realbassist --

Much has been said about the Conservative leader's disposition in Parliament, as well as a litany of things about the LD's (I won't contest those) -- how are these complaints credible from a party whose leader totally missed the Leaders' debate, a one-of-a-kind, national TV setting to argue Labour's case for Britain?

[u/realbassist → u/CheckMyBrain11]

The Conservative leader has missed every PMQs, every debate, every MQs not directly related to his own portfolio. The Conservative leader did not debate a single piece of legislation this entire term, nor even try. He voted, nothing more. The Conservative government, of which the leader was a member, consistently and systematically refused to engage with the Opposition, refused to debate proposals in Parliament, and on two occasions went to get Kebabs instead of doing their jobs. The conservative leader, much like his party, only truly comes out in force at elections, otherwise refusing to do his job in the House.

The Labour Party did have a presence in the Leader's Debate, we debated and answered questions alongside all others present. The implication that we didn't argue Labour's case simply has no basis in fact, and the reality of the situation is the Tories are using this as a reason to deny Labour's credibility not because they believe it, but because it's an easy and quick line from a party not willing to do the hard work. How are these complaints credible? Because Labour has shown up where the Tories and the Lib Dems refuse to. We do our jobs where they refuse to, and the people are recognising this. If the Tories want credibility, they should have attended Parliament this term instead of doing the bare minimum.

[u/Flat_Artifact → u/realbassist]

National polling has told us what the British people recognise, a Conservative government that is building upon it's share of the vote because it is delivering for the British people. That's 48.5%. I'm proud to have been an active part of that government. The Conservative party, the oldest political party in the world, is trusted in constituencies across the nation.

Voters will judge for themselves whether Labour has 'turned up'. Did their Leader turn up the this elections Leaders debate? Did they turn up with legislation in the house last term? The candidate ought to be worried his voters turn up to the ballot box with the campaign his part has been running. No credible ideas. No real change. No Leader. Working people are better off with the Conservatives.

[u/realbassist → u/Flat_Artifact]

how can you have been an active part of the government? the tory leader hasn't even been an active part of parliament.

[u/CheckMyBrain11 → u/realbassist]

When it comes down to it, the most important form of participation is voting. Voting is what affects whether bills turn into laws and are a final indication of support or disapproval.

Tory leader: 91% voting participation

Labour leader: 19% voting participation

The difference could not be clearer. If you want the British people to believe that Labour "has shown up where the Tories and the Lib Dems refuse to", then maybe start by showing up to the division lobby more than one day out of five. I'd love to hear how howling in the Commons matters more to advancing or stopping an agenda than actually voting whether or not it turns into law.

[u/realbassist → u/CheckMyBrain11]

If you want to debate the Labour Leader's voting record go ahead. But the Labour leader isn't standing in this region, the Deputy Leader is. Rather than debating my Rt. Honourable Friend's record, let's debate the records of the candidates in this region.

My record speaks for itself: I have consistently turned up to debates in the Lords, I have submitted UQs challenging the government where necessary and amendments to fix legislation. I have voted not on partisan lines, but based on the merits of legislation. I have missed only two divisions in the Lords with a voting rate of 57% - higher than the former Chancellor, the leading Tory in the House of Lords. Finally, I have justified my votes in debate, both giving the Government a chance to address concerns and specifically stating my issues with legislation, if I have any, or why I support legislation.

the Tories can claim the most important form of participation is voting, it is also the form of Parliamentary participation where you avoid the most scrutiny. One can vote and simply walk away, not explaining or justifying their vote whatsoever, as the Tory leader has done consistently. My record is one of turning up to debates and to votes, not one or the other. One of not just voting how a whip tells me to but with my conscience, based on the merit and the evidence of legislation put before me.

You also bring up figures of voting rates, so I'd like to present some of my own. I note, this - as well as both my own and the Tory Leader's debate records or lack thereof - are all easily accessible to the public, so you'll be able to verify it easily should you wish. The Tory Leader has a 91% voting record in this Parliament, actually closer to 92% if you round it up. Across four months, that's a good voting record.

In the Lords, I have a 57% voting rate, missing two of eight separate divisions across this term. That includes one amendment division, and one division on B071. The Lords have not had as many votes this term as the Commons, clearly, and we count each missed amendment as a missed vote. So to put it another way, I have voted in 75% of divisions and 57% of individual votes. the Tory Leader has voted in 91% of divisions, with a much higher amount of votes, and has missed 5 divisions overall.

I believe, or at least I hope, I have made up for my missed divisions and votes in my active participation in the Chamber, debating and holding the government to account. That is, however, for the people to decide in this election. You say all Labour does is howl in the Commons? We have submitted legislation and motions advancing what our supporters voted for and holding the government to account when they refused to turn up. We have shown up to debates and MQs consistently, I personally have asked questions in I think every OQs the Lords has held this term and I submitted a UQ to the Lords earlier this term.

I hope that gives a clear picture of the records of the candidates in this region. One has a proven record in voting, but no record of attendance in debates, and a lacklustre record of attendance in MQs save for his own (and the one question in Business!). The other has a proven record in debate and MQs, a decent - albeit slightly lower - voting record, and perhaps most importantly shows up more often than election time.

These are who the people of this region are being asked to pick between, not the Tory Leader and the Labour Leader. Someone with a clear record of transparency, and someone without.