Members back inquiry into small boats but demand action

The day's most striking tension came on Should there be a full public inquiry into small boat crossings? Members chose for a full public inquiry into small boat crossings, but only just. Yes voters narrowly backed an inquiry, though their best-respected case began with a caveat: “really what is needed is action”. That tension ran through a debate in which the demand to expose failure kept colliding with the fear that an inquiry would simply delay a response.

The verdicts

Should patients pay a flat fee for each GP appointment? Members chose against patients paying a flat fee for each GP appointment. The No case’s best line was also its organising principle: “We already pay for the NHS through taxation.” No won overwhelmingly, while the strongest Yes argument proposed a refundable deposit rather than a fee for care.

Should private rent increases be capped by law? Members chose for capping private-sector rent increases by law. “Blatant profiteering” was the sharpest Yes-side charge, but the most-respected case warned that caps would “reduce supply further”; Yes nevertheless won comfortably.

Should only people working for accredited news organisations be able to call themselves journalists? Members chose against limiting the journalist title to people working for accredited news organisations. Independent reporting was treated less as a threat to journalism than as a safeguard against whoever gets to certify it: No won comfortably.

Should the government scale back its spending plans in this month’s Budget? Members chose for scaling back the government’s spending plans. Yes voters’ warning about “living beyond its means” met a pointed No-side retort: “Tax the rich tax the billionaires tax the corporations.” Yes narrowly won.

Should transgender women be allowed to compete in women’s sport? Members chose against allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sport. “Women’s sport exists to provide fair competition for female athletes”: No won overwhelmingly.

Should only MPs elected at the most recent general election be allowed to become Prime Minister? Members chose against allowing only MPs elected at the most recent general election to become Prime Minister. “A man without mandate” was the sharpest Yes case, but No won comfortably.

Should the UK keep its East Jerusalem consulate open despite Israel’s order to close it? Members chose for keeping its East Jerusalem consulate open. “Their house, their rules” was the sharpest No case, but Yes won comfortably.

Voting continues today on refnation.

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