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Proceeding contribution from Tony Wright (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 10 June 2009. It occurred during Opposition day on Dissolution of Parliament.


Dissolution of Parliament

I want to finish this point, if I may, because it is the point that I really want to make. If we were in the opposite position, we would be saying exactly the same kind of things, because that is what Oppositions do. That is the game that we play. I want to suggest to the House—[Interruption.] May I make the argument before hon. Members have a go at me about it? I suggest to the House that we are in an exceptional moment. There is a tidal wave of anti-politics running through the country at present. Nobody can deny that. The choice before all parties is whether we seek to ride that tidal wave and try to extract some partisan advantage from it—I can see the temptations of doing that; all Opposition parties will get some reward from riding that tidal wave—or whether we try to turn the wave around. If we do not together turn that wave around, we are in deep trouble. Irrespective of the usual games that we play, we have a particular responsibility in the House now seriously, together, across party to put aside the game and to try and rebuild some faith in the system. [Interruption.] Until we do that, we shall not be able to look the electorate in the eye and ask properly for their support.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
493 c875 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Allowances Devolution Elections Expenditure Dissolution Members Parliament Scotland Reform Wales
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk