Business of the House

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 11:33 am on 14 May 2009.

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Photo of Harriet Harman Harriet Harman Chair, Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, Minister of State (Government Equalities Office), The Leader of the House of Commons , Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee, Party Chair, Labour Party, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party 11:33, 14 May 2009

I have much admiration and respect for the hon. Gentleman, who has taken a considerable battering at the hands of Norman Baker, but I urge him to resist the temptation to hit back, because we will make no progress. The public are angry and outraged. That is not just what I think; we all know that to be the case. As grieved as we might be that we have been subjected to accusations by other Members, that gives us no prospect of a way forward. The only way forward is to say to the public loud and clear, "We understand the anger. We understand the outrage. We had already taken some steps to improve the situation and we will take further steps to do so." We must do that to ensure that the public can once again have confidence not just in one political party or another, but in all parts of the House.