MPs show little enthusiasm for Keith Vaz’s tribute to Michael Jackson
July 3, 2009
Early Day Motions are a way for MPs to show they care about an issue.
Some popular EDMs can boast hundreds of signatures.
Vince Cable’s EDM about the Parliamentary Ombudsman report on Equitable Life has been backed by 299 other MPs, for example.
On Monday Keith Vaz, veteran Labour MP and Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, tapped into the zeitgeist.
He tabled an EDM paying tribute to singer Michael Jackson.
So far it has been supported by just one MP – his Labour colleague Alan Meale.
The EDM tribute to the fallen King of Pop reads:
“That this House celebrates the life and music of Michael Jackson; commends the role his music has played in uniting people from different cultures and challenging racial division in the US and around the world; notes that he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide and won 13 Grammy awards during his career; applauds his support for many charitable causes; and hopes that his legacy will endure through his fans and his music.”
Early Day Motions can be put forward by any MP. Almost none of them are actually debated.
MPs use them to draw attention to specific events or campaigns or to express a view on a wide range of issues.
PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN AND EQUITABLE LIFE POLICYHOLDERS - Cable, Vincent (300)
SOLAR ENERGY - Challen, Colin (272)
FOOD LABELLING AND THE WELFARE OF CHICKENS - Hancock, Mike (263)
BRITISH MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO COLOMBIA - Lloyd, Tony (245)
GREEN ENERGY BILL - Ainsworth, Peter (237)
Entry Filed under: Commons. Tags: Alan Meale, EDM, Keith Vaz, Michael Jackson, Vince Cable, zeitgeist.
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1. Twitted by ikeepearthgreen | July 3, 2009 at 8:53 pm
[...] This post was Twitted by ikeepearthgreen [...]
2. Business and Politics | July 4, 2009 at 6:10 pm
[...] Hip Leicester MP Keith Vaz pays tribute to Michael Jackson with an early day motion at his London club. This important issue outweighs other matters of relevance to his constituents, as does the passing of Lord Davidson, Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe and Mollie Sugden. I spy strangers has more detail here. [...]
3.
j.dite | July 4, 2009 at 7:13 pm
what a load of rubbish, can’t he find something more im portant to put forward in Britain’s interest!
4.
Faso | July 4, 2009 at 11:20 pm
interessant
5.
editor | July 7, 2009 at 10:35 pm
EDMs cost the taxpayer over £500,000 just in printing costs.. hence the http://www.scrapedms.com campaign