tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post1602413037098393970..comments2024-03-27T12:40:09.015+00:00Comments on Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness: Kelly Report puts DUP on the double jobbing hookOwen Polleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-45224151547563373292009-11-06T14:31:18.438+00:002009-11-06T14:31:18.438+00:00On first read I thought that Kelly actually gave R...On first read I thought that Kelly actually gave Robbo and co some wriggle room with the last line of point12.22: “The Committee’s view is that the practice of holding dual mandates in both the House of Commons and the devolved legislatures should be brought to an end as soon as possible. Ideally that would happen by the time of the scheduled elections to the three devolved legislatures in May 2011, or failing that by 2015 at the very latest.” <br /><br />However ‘2015 at the very latest’ does not appear in the actual recommendation.<br /><br />Therefore if the DUP say that they accept Kelly’s recommendations- which they have- then they can’t stand whatever MPs they have left at the 2011 Assembly Elections. <br /><br />In fact, arguably ‘as soon as possible’ should mean they can’t run their MP/MLAs next May. Can’t see that happening. <br /><br />The wheeze they will want to use is standing their big names at the Assembly elections in 2011, getting the votes in and then co opting nonentities in their places.<br /><br />Therefore the legislation that David Cameron and William Hague have committed to introduce needs to close this loophole.<br /><br />Of course what should really happen is that the electorate should turf the double jobbers out of one of their jobs next May when they have the chance.Andy Wilsonnoreply@blogger.com