Recall bill likely to be recalled

There would appear to be scarce support among MPs for constitutional proposals put forward today by minister Mark Harper intended to remove the ability of dishonourable members to keep their seats unless jailed for more than a year.

But unusually for an institution so often driven by self-interest, the misgivings centre around suggestions that a recall system would need a majority of MPs to first sanction commencement of such a move.

The ConDem proposals – which differ significantly from election manifesto commitments by both parties – require 10% of eligible constituents to subsequently vote for a recall. The affected seat would be vacated and a by-election held. The dumped MP could still seek re-election.

The clear inference in the bill is that the Commons committee on Standards and Privileges will play a key role in linking recall protocols with existing disciplinary processes. It is a neat solution but otherwise basically toothless according to several members. Outside bodies such as the Taxpayers Alliance are of the same opinion.

Few observers give the bill much hope of survival in its current form. Current betting is that it will be a close thing as to whether it is Cameron or Clegg who is first to announce its eventual withdrawal.