Any reason why we didn’t ban it beforehand? Because we were allowed to.
I’m tired of the falsehood that we couldn’t control “things” while being in the EU.
We’d banned its production in the UK back in 2006 but we couldn’t ban its importation from within the EU until after we had left.
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Here’s hoping that the Paterson scandal gains momentum given all the scandals that are still to be investigated.
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A female Labour MP agreed that the process needed to be improved and reformed but made the point I made - you don’t do that in response to your mate getting sanctioned. Either way, this was always going to be politically spun given the timing.
The process has been criticised for years but using Paterson’s suspension as the catalyst to actually address it looks fucking appalling. Let’s not pretend that had the roles been reversed Labour wouldn’t have done the same and the Conservatives wouldn’t have used it to accuse them of sleaze. It’s just how fucking bankrupt politics is. Labour now refusing to take part in the discussions about reforming the process, reform that they have also been asking for, just seems petty and counterproductive. What’s the point in them being in opposition if they’re not actually going to carry out the role of an opposition?
Hopefully Paterson’s actions will either receive the sanction they’ve been given or will be reassessed under any newly revised process. What should not happen is for him to be given a get out of jail free card.
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Meh - she abstained - she didn’t vote against it based on her “matter of principle”.
If it’s a matter of principal vote against it - don’t sit on the fence.
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Given track records of late, it’s hard not to see him getting that card.
The concern for me is this being used to brush aside all of the other outstanding issues that seem to be following this government like a bad small.
Having seen a little more on this now I’m of the opinion that Patison is some creature. He admitted last night that he would have no hesitation in doing the same again. This is after trying to use his wife’s suicide as some kind of justification that he shouldn’t be investigated for accepting payments totaling somewhere in the region of £500k for allegedly doing nothing.
On your point on Labour or any other politicians from other parties, are there any accused of corruption at the moment? Genuine question but I agree it’s not acceptable for any politician
You mean apart from the 5 Labour MPs that have been imprisoned for fraud whilst in office over the last 20 years? 
No, I don’t know of any other current MPs currently under investigation, from any party. I’m just saying that if Labour were in government and this issue arose then I can imagine that a similar intervention may have happened. It’s just the murky shite of politics.
It would be a beautiful irony if Paterson’s only other recourse would be via Judicial Review.
Good to hear that there are examples of politicians being charged and jailed for fraud. The rules must apply to all and there appears to be a growing feeling that our current government does not believe that.
I would prefer if Labour agree to participate, but only if certain conditions are met, e.g. Paterson’s suspension gets voted on anyway, and if they have actual contributions to bring to the table. If reforms are indeed required, then they should be a part of that process. They have a chance to come out of this looking good, which probably means they won’t…
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Foie gras: one of my favourite subjects. It’s fucking delicious; it pairs wonderfully with a good Sauternes and it’s production is not cruel.
Yet another example of people who know fuck all about the subject talking out of their arses; I have visited both foie gras farms and battery hen facilities and I know whose inmates live longer and more contented lives.
If you ban foie gras on the grounds of cruelty, all battery-farmed chicken (and beef, pork, etc… in fact, anything commercially reared) should be banned.
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How charming.
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Don’t worry, the Conservatives are banning the caging of laying hens too.
Will need to check on beef, pork and “etc” or, so I’ve been told, there is always Google.
Will the Conservatives ban Manchester City for being a foie gras football club?
Looks like Paterson has resigned. No excuse for Labour now.
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“outside the cruel world of politics” – well you knew what you were signing up for. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he was one of those people who would call others snowflakes…
Expelled from the party. As you’d expect.