So those Mps think they can hide behind the 1689 Bill of Rights to avoid prosecution. Fair. Absolutely not. It was brought in, during the reign of William and Anne, to stop an over weaning monarchy laying down the law to parliament. It still gives Mps the right to freedom of speech so they can make contentious points in parliament without fear of being gagged, sued or injuncted by powerful interests. It was absolutely not intended for MPs who make the laws to use it to avoid prosecution in the same courts the rest of us would be subjected to. Are you a member of an ethnic minority community. Chinese perhaps. Have you registered to vote. If not why not. The electoral Commission is to start a campaign with bi-lingual literature to encourage more ethnic communities to become engaged in the democratic process. Peter Facey, from the pressure group Unlock Democracy, suggests a new lottery competition. A smaller prize but everyone gets a free entry if they vote. I’m up for that. Especially if I win the first prize.
Richard Arnold, GMTV show business presenter, was my guest in the studio discussing Baroness Blair – please no – and whether it is right for Prime Ministers like Gordon Brown to vote in public. Genuine emotion or cynical PR. As ever you had your say.