WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has been re-elected, unopposed, as chairman of the House of Commons Petitions Select Committee.
She was the only nomination to lead the committee, which was set up after the 2015 General Election.
The MP, who was the first chairman of the committee has won widespread praise for her leadership of the committee which allows the public to raise issues directly and get them debated.
As chairman she has pioneered new ways of working with voters and allowing them to get their voices heard, including web forums, Twitter chats and informal roundtables with MPs.
Debates she has led are among the most widely watched Parliamentary
discussions,including funding for brain tumour research, NHS bursaries and changes to state pension for women born in the 1950s.
Ms Jones said: “Since July 2015, the petitions system has allowed millions of people to engage directly with the UK Parliament and Government.
“Petitions have already led to real change – not least on funding for brain tumour research. I am looking forward to continuing the work that the committee did in the last Parliament to make sure that a wide range of voices are heard in Parliament.
“The petitions site had to close when Parliament stopped unexpectedly for the General Election. I know that this has been frustrating for many people. The site will open again once the new Petitions Committee is set up, so it’s essential that the committee is established as soon as possible.”
Helen Jones MP
MP re-elected to lead petitions select committee
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“As chairman she has pioneered new ways of working with voters and allowing them to get their voices heard, including web forums, Twitter chats and informal round tables with MPs” Question: Questions. So how does the MP square labelling herself as some kind of digital pioneer in parliament, when she has continually refused to take part in live streaming election debates in Warrington? And allowing who to have their voices heard? Presumably not voices that criticise her record as an MP for Warrington judging by the removal of any on-line negative comments directed at her? Next. The petitions site had to close when Parliament stopped unexpectedly for the General Election. I know that this has been frustrating for many people. The site will open again once the new petitions committee is set up, so it’s essential that the committee is established as soon as possible.” Question. What people? Does she have any evidence to support this comment that the public have somehow been beating on the door of this committee to get underway again? Interesting to note that the committee’s attendance last year was barely above 50%. That’s quite telling about the value that’s placed on the committee to discuss online petitions. Time for change in Warrington North.
What Billy Wires apparently does not have the intelligence to realise is that the more he displays his obsessive dislike of the Warrington North MP, the less people will take notice of him. And I say that as one who has never voted for her party in my life – and never will.