I'm still digesting the draft PATI bill, but find it particularly cynical that as widely commented, the legislation is proposed to be:
- going forward only
- take 2 to 3 years to implement
- under the control of the Cabinet Office
All of this dramatically undermines the integrity of the bill.
The cynic in me notes that this ensures that:
- Past behaviour can remain covered up
- 2 to 3 years ensures no messy secrets can be dug up before the next election (max 3 years before next one has to be called)
- Cabinet won't have any unwelcome surprises
Very, very cynical.
I'd also note that MPs approved pay raises for themselves effective immediately, but freedom of information has to wait until they're out of office and cannot look back.
If that doesn't show priorities nothing will. I always thought it should be the reverse; pay raises should apply to the next Parliament so you have to face the voters.
The first job of a politician they say is to get re-elected.
