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Early Day Motions and Language

Early Day Motions are like petitions that only MPs can sign. Some MPs refuse to sign them, Ministers are not allowed to.

At this link you can find a list of those that I have signed.

There has been an interesting debate about EDM 2893 - Use of the phrase ton of bricks which is currently signed by two lib dems, one conservative and three Labour MPs.
That this House notes the reports in the BBC and other media outlets of the intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to come down like a tonne of bricks on wealthy people who sell properties through offshore companies to avoid stamp duty; recognises that this is part of a trend of metrication of traditional British phrases; believes that, given that a ton is greater in weight than a tonne, this understates the Chancellor's commitment to action; accepts that there is merit in using some metric units for measurement, but regrets the unnecessary metrication of traditional British phrases; and calls on the BBC and other media to cease the metrication of traditional phrases forthwith before people end up being exhorted not to give another 25.4 millimetres rather than not giving another inch.

Early Day Motions are very unlikely to be debated. More MPs have signed this one than ones I tabled on preventing blindness, Expert evidence, mental capacity and jersey. (as you can see from the list).

It remains, however, that the use of language is important. I also protect people's rights to drink pints of beer, walk miles and talk about a "ton of bricks."


Comments

Jake Maverick said…
they'll be dropping capital letters of pronouns like Internet and names in TV credits and probably adopting the american spelling of the word gaol....they've already adopted the american spelling of judgement on Court papers! last i heard it was Oxfor University that had the legal power to dictate such things, NOT Microsoft/ al CIA da....

so i guess it's alright if the yanks do it, just not if the Europeans do?

they'll be adopting the policy of murder people first then promote them next....

i'd rather be dead than permanetly blind or taken alive again anywayy...
Jake Maverick said…
doesn't surprise me either

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/232493.html

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