John Redwood

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Rt. Hon John Redwood MP has called on the Official Opposition to oppose the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill

Writing on his online blog, www.johnredwoodsdiary.com, the Rt. Hon John Redwood MP has called on the Official Opposition to oppose the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill following last Friday’s vote in the House of Commons.

21 May 2007

I was pleased to see press briefing that the Conservative leadership is not behind attempts to exclude Parliament from FOI.

David Willetts went on the record expressing disagreement with the FOI amendment Bill. One cheer for that - but where were you David on Friday when you could have expressed your disagreement by voting against? I cancelled my engagements that day - why didn't you? Clearly the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister in waiting would find it difficult to cancel when many more people would be disappointed if they did not turn up, but the rest of us can always offer to reschedule an engagement for another date when Parliament calls.

I am pressing the Opposition to officially back voting this Bill down in the Lords, and to use their influence to encourage more Conservative peers to turn up and vote "No" to this measure. Actions speak louder than words. The Opposition now needs to show it will put some voting power behind its disagreement with this Bill.

The Conservative party does not need a Clause IV moment to show it has broken with its past. It needs a rejection of the political establishment moment, when it shows it has re-engaged with a public deeply cynical about all political parties. Our battle should not be with Conservatives past, but with apathy present. The way to tackle apathy and disillusion is to champion the rights of individuals, families and the "small platoons" against the secrecy, interference and bossiness of the state. What better way to show we have "got it", than to oppose exempting Parliament from FOI, and stand in favour of greater openness and transparency in the political process?

We need to offer a bold programme of trusting people more and asking government to do less. People are sick and tired of political parties which say one thing and do another, and with a government that interferes too much but achieves so little.