The political week on Twitter: February 27th – March 2nd
Lords reform, workfare "slavery", a horse, and the NHS. Bit of a slow week, really.
Compiled by Oliver Hotham
Nick Clegg reminded everyone that the Lib Dems are also in the government, and that they'd like to reform the House of Lords, please:
'It keeps the children occupied…while we talk about things that matter to voters' – Tory minister on Lords reform ind.pn/zgL7j9
Featured BASC given permission to bring judicial review of Defra decision
Featured Concern over doctors’ health needs as legislation to regulate PAs and AAs introduced
— ianbirrell (@ianbirrell) February 27, 2012
I absolutley wont be voting for Lords reform. It's so great to be a back bencher with no Ministerial ambition and be able to say that.
— Nadine Dorries MP (@NadineDorriesMP) February 25, 2012
Nick Clegg says Lords reform "is a clear ambition for this Government" and urges peers not "to die in a ditch about it".
— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) February 27, 2012
The Leveson inquiry continued, with revelations about a horse – and Met police officers all seemingly suffering from amnesia:
It'll be good if it turns out the whole Leveson inquiry has been staged by Hannibal and BA so that Murdoch can join them on a mission
— Frankie Boyle (@frankieboyle) February 29, 2012
The met police horse loaned to Rebekah has died 'of natural causes'. How convenient. That will stop it giving evidence at Leveson inquiry
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) February 28, 2012
Dont think Hayman has grasped the idea of a diary. They actually become very handy in an inquiry like #leveson even if he "cant remember".
— Billo (@Billo20Four7) March 1, 2012
Met police so corrupt they are to be shut down completely and relaunched as the Police on Sunday.
— Mark Thomas (@markthomasinfo) February 28, 2012
The debate over the government's controversial workfare program continued, with the prime minister referring to opponents of the policy as "Trotskyists". As always with the internet, the response was measured, calm and devoid of vitriol:
Critics of #workfare are a tiny cabal of irrelevant trotskyists, which is exactly why we're submitting to all their demands #isthisright
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) February 29, 2012
Feels like time for some more #PoliticalConjugations: I am opposed to slavery, You are concerned about workfare, He is a Trot.
— Mark Wallace (@wallaceme) March 1, 2012
Watching an old Panorama set in Dubai, with "Trotskyist" Indian labourers, building a golf course and complaining about "slavery" #workfare
— Paul Cardin (@eVirtual_Assist) March 1, 2012
Well done Workfare fools. The publicity generate by the SWP has lead to 200 companies signing up to the scheme.
— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) February 29, 2012
The anti workfare campaign is called "right to work". Should it not be called "right not to work"?
— Harry Phibbs (@harryph) February 26, 2012
Prime minister's questions remained almost exclusively about the NHS reforms, and Lansley remained almost completely out of sight, like a child in the naughty corner:
A new gesture debuted by @edballsmp at #pmqs as Cameron defends NHS reform: a 'keep on digging' shovel manoeuvre
— James Chapman (Mail) (@jameschappers) February 29, 2012
It takes 4-6 years to train a doctor, Mr. Cameron. If docs are up 4,000 this year, it's not down to you! #PMQs
— Keir Shiels (@keirshiels) February 29, 2012
Turns out Nick Clegg is supportive of the NHS Bill today. His position may change tomorrow #PMQs
— sunny hundal (@sunny_hundal) February 29, 2012
