Members reject database of government critics

The most striking result of Saturday was the near-unanimous rejection of any official database of people who criticise government policy. Members saw it as a "burn book" that would chill dissent, and Should officials be permitted to create a database of people who criticise government policy? was thrown out overwhelmingly.

The verdicts

Should the UK grant new North Sea licences to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas? passed comfortably as members chose to grant the licences, though the debate focused more on who would benefit and how the extra time would be used than on a blank cheque for drilling. Should the UK impose a windfall tax on large supermarkets during a cost of living crisis? was rejected comfortably; the strongest argument against warned that a levy on thin margins would simply pass the cost to shoppers.

In the day's closest result, Should free bus travel be available from age 60 across the UK, not just at state pension age? won narrowly. Members chose to make free bus travel available from age 60, moved by the human argument that "my parents didn't even reach pension age," despite resistance over who would pay.

Should the UK release emergency diesel reserves to help lower fuel prices? carried comfortably on the simple logic that this is precisely what the reserves are for. Should Andy Burnham intervene in the Manchester City Premier League case to protect investment? was crushed overwhelmingly, with members agreeing politicians should stay out of football's disciplinary process.

Should the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) be abolished to strengthen the Union? was rejected comfortably after warnings that it would simply alienate Scotland. Finally, Should ethnic heritage be a factor in deciding if someone is ethnically English? also fell, as members chose against using ethnic heritage to decide who is ethnically English and preferred the test "born here, grown here and live here."

Voting continues today on refnation.

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