MPs May Be Forced To Vote On Death Penalty

[#1]

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MPs could be forced into a landmark vote on the restoration of the death penalty because of a new e-petitions scheme. Commons leader Sir George Young has already said they should not ignore voters and shy away from debating the issue. Sir George warned it would damage democracy to ignore strong opinions among members of the public "or pretend that their views do not exist". He spoke out ahead of the publication of the first submissions to the new e-petitions scheme, which could see the most popular appeals discussed in Parliament. Among the most prominent is one calling for legislation allowing child killers and those who murder on-duty police officers to face execution.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/mps-may-forced-vote-death-penalty-071625418.html

[#2]

They may be forced to debate it (assuming there is time) but no way will they pass it simply because the majority of MPs do not agree with it.
Even if it was passed the human rights lobby and EU would be on it like a ton of bricks.
The fact that a majority of the population may want something is totally irrelevant as far as the government is concerned.

[#3]

That's why we (and most other democracies) elect representatives and don't have referendums on everything.  

[#4]

Thats one of the reasons why I don't bother voting.
All politicans are quick to support almost anything voters want prior to election time but once they get in........... well you know the answer.
I Thought Cameron might be different but it seems he can't even get the agreement to reduce the number of plastic bags issued to stick  so what chance for other issues ?

[#5]

Bring in the death penalty for those who allow their dogs to foul the parks and pavements. After half a dozen people have swung for this in televised hangings the problem will go away.

[#6]

Why not just shoot them on the spot and save court costs.

[#7]

[#8]

It has to be debated if the number of signatories exceeds 100,000. It doesn't mean they have to vote on it. It is entirely right that large petitions don't force a vote, because only the people who support it will sign up. You can't sign up to the petition against it. 100,000 is still a minority of the population.
You can't always do what the majority of the population want anyway, as, let's face it, the majority of the population are not well enough informed to make sensible decisions.

[#9]

Quote from: Denzil

the majority of the population are not well enough informed to make sensible decisions.

Quote from: HPsauce

That's why we (and most other democracies) elect representatives and don't have referendums on everything.

[#10]

I Suspect that the majority of MP's whether or not they are well informed don't appear to be able to make sensible decisions or to even make a decision without referring it to a committee, sub comittee  or quango !

[#11]

Well committee stage, debates and civil servants all add to the focus on real expertise of course.
As for Quangos: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021729/So-David-Camerons-bonfire-Quangos-election-pledge.ht...

[#12]

They will debate it but it may not even get to a vote as we are signed up to an EU treaty banning the death sentence.

[#13]

People power may well have forced a parliamentary debate. But don't expect anything to be changed except, a bunch of MP's telling you; well, we listened didn't we, its what we're paid for isn't it!!

[#14]

Of the first 169 e-petitions 53 relate to the death sentence.  46 are in favour of the death sentence and 7 against.

[#15]

Whilst in certain cases i agree with it, there will be no change, it will just get debated - then there will be a "NO" and thats that.

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and those who murder on-duty police officers to face execution.

How about just making us "more inline" with the US, where an attack on police/fire/paramedics is actually taken seriesously, rather than just an 'attack' on a pedestrian (which, in this country you get a smack on the wrist anyway)
How about we make a petition so that we can get rid of their TVs, Playstations, and other luxuries, and bring back "The Crank" and various other in-house punishments - you know, so prisons actually "bad"...
Regards