MP says no to priority access

2:39pm Friday 12th October 2007

Ceredigion's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams is at the forefront of a campaign against the introduction of a new system in the Houses of Parliament which gives MPs priority over staff at shops and canteens.

Convention has always allowed MPs first use of the lifts if they are rushing to a vote, with journalists, researchers, cleaners and civil servants usually happy to wait.

However, a new edict extending the privilege to telephone kiosks, the post office and, most controversial of all, the canteen queues has caused uproar.

Mark Williams is the second signature on a Parliamentary Motion which opposes the changes. An announcement was made on Tuesday 9th October that Members should have priority access to services throughout the Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate.

Commenting, Mark Williams said: "This new ruling sends out totally the wrong message. I believe Parliament should be an open, welcoming and above all equal place, not a place where MPs have priority over staff and others in canteen queues.

"This cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged. If this happened on the high street of any town in Wales, there would rightly be uproar. It is hypocritical for Parliament to pass laws for the country guaranteeing equal access to services for all, whilst continuing to enforce hierarchical rules more suited to a 19th century gentleman's club than to a 21st century Parliament."

The Early Day Motion (number 2066) is currently back by 33 Members of Parliament. Staff Unions have called an Extraordinary General meeting to discuss the changes next Tuesday.