Comments on: Speaker election – interviews

By: northbaytrapper

northbaytrapper — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:36:37 +0000

I think that JoCo would be a fine speaker. He has the balls to throw people out and the experience to command respect from his peers. I think he would be a step a positive step toward decorum.

By: Gabby in QC

Gabby in QC — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:32:35 +0000

BTW, David Akin has taken notice of your scoop with Tony Clement.
http://davidakin.blogware.com/blog/_archives/20...

I had not yet seen his post when I posted my previous comment.

By: Gabby in QC

Gabby in QC — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:49:47 +0000

On the question of allowing “new media” into Parliament:
1. who would determine which bloggers get in?
2. based on what criteria?
3. would bloggers get the same access as “old media” to MPs during scrums?
4. would bloggers get access to the press conferences?

Stephen, without actual accreditation you have managed to get many interviews with MPs. You have also managed to “scoop” some information before “old media” picked up on it, if it suited their purpose. So in what way are you disadvantaged by not being able to walk the halls of Parliament?

By: Ronald

Ronald — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:10:10 +0000

A commisssioned individual who will seize full jurisdication of the situation when parliament members become unruly is mandatory. You cannot be humorous one minute and strict the next, so being consistent should be the benchmark “Always”.
Having observed the antics of MP's requires control which is a continuous assignment of the speaker.
Maintaining steady control of over-zealous MP's should be a starting benchmark, after all, this is the “Nations Business” and the prime reason taxpayers elect these people to the HOC.
There is always room for improvement.

By: Joanne TB

Joanne TB — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:07:22 +0000

BTW, Stephen. I was interested in the reactions from the candidates on the issue of the new digital media and bloggers being able to get more involved. Joe Comartin seemed to be very closed to this notion and I can understand his concerns, but there needs to be a way for bloggers to become accredited. Are the unions threatened or something?

By: Joanne TB

Joanne TB — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:40:56 +0000

Thanks for doing this, Stephen.

I must say, I was most impressed with Andrew Scheer.

Joe Comartin would probably be very capable at handling the job too, but I think he would be dry, ie. maybe too much the opposite of Milliken - too serious.

In any case, it should be interesting to watch what happens tomorrow.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:06:51 +0000

'Interesting' response from Peter Milliken. Is this indicative, I wonder, of the regard in which he holds the press, or Conservatives?

By: Doug Smith

Doug Smith — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:48:24 +0000

Milliken out = Tories take Kingston and the Islands