As more people question the number of time Govt is bypassing #Parliament to restrict our lives; and question why they're still allowed to do so, even though we're not in the state of emergency as we were in March, might I remind MPs & commentators that many of us flagged this
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when the #Coronavirus Bill was introduced to House of Commons 19 March 2020, not only was it being rushed through & was complex and lengthy, it contained significant constitutional & civil liberties implications - inc creating extensive delegated powers & Henry VIII powers.
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Many of these powers are subject to a limited form of parliamentary scrutiny and others are not subject to ANY parliamentary procedure whatsoever. Since the Act received Royal Assent 25 March, 90+ coronavirus laws and rules have been imposed without Parliamentary scrutiny
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Now people are waking up and crying out, accusing HMG of governing by 'fiat' - rushing through sweeping changes to laws without proper scrutiny and demanding something is done. What we all need to do is remind Mps on first day back to Parliament of Clause 98 of the Act
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Every six months, “so far as is practicable”, the House of Commons must consider a motion “That the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should not yet expire”. If the motion is rejected, a Minister must use the power in section 90 to repeal the Act within 21 days
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If the motion is passed, the Act can continue for up to two years (section 89) with the possibility of a further six-month extension (section 90).
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