Covid Emergency Repeal Act 2021
An Act:
To repeal all government regulation enacted since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic by means of statutory instrument, impacting the rights and privileges of Her Majesty’s subjects.
That’s it! All it takes. One clause. Goodbye this Orwellian state. Tired of micro-management jobsworths justifying their existence, then join my Repeal Club.
No half measures, mind. Repeal the lot – and, if needs be, return later with considered legislation. This time, properly scrutinised and amended, not Zoom rubber-stamped. Democracy has been on “mute” for too long. The House of Commons, as it emerges from its age of Tweetery, needs to reassert its sovereignty. And meet in person.
As we emerge blinking from our long-Covid bunkers the first duty Parliament owes to a long-suffering public is to stem the tide of the pervasive state. Twas ever thus with our Civil Service: “Just a short 200 clause Statutory Instrument – to ensure everything runs smoothly, Minister”. Too many gleeful mandarins have hijacked this crisis in their latest power grab. Unthinkable in less pestilential times.
Sweep away all secondary legislation – 450 Statutory Instruments and counting. This overhanging cliff of draconian powers is perhaps the worst state-sponsored breach of privacy, until that independent contractor installed a badly aimed surveillance camera in Matt Hancock’s office. Erasing the legislative whiteboard would do more to restore faith in democracy than a hundred missed restriction relaxation deadlines.
The accumulated body of Henry VIII-style decrees – that’s how he wrestled Parliament into insignificance, legislating by diktat – is already imperfect. Lessons have been learnt on the hoof as this crisis has developed. What seemed a cunning plan passed in haste in March 2020 may not be what we need in 2021. Or 2022, as the pandemic ebbs to endemic. Different laws for different times. Good opportunity to learn and adapt.
Even in wartime Blitz conditions the House of Commons met in person. When “Ten German Bombers” forced it out of one location it met in another. In a two-finger salute to Adolf the heart of democracy kept beating even in our darkest hour.
But in this Covid crisis we have been governed by inattentive wimps, green benches not even maxed out within social distancing rules. Debates ending early for lack of interest. Question time, including PMQs, an orchestrated farce. At home MPs with the video blanked, making tea – or worse – in unaccountable anonymity.
Redemption is at hand. The government will not introduce this bill. Why should it give up its ill-gathered draconian powers so willingly? I’m looking for a gallant backbencher – top of next the Private Members Bill ballot – who will. History beckons.
