Damned if you do and Damned if you don't ...

Earlier this week Labour were suggesting that more consultation was needed on the government's EVEL proposals,

The government duly listened to the concerns being raised by the Labour party and others, abstained in an initial vote this week, and agreed to postpone bringing the proposals forward to permit wider consultation.

Leader of the House Chris Grayling announced that MPs will spend two days debating the plans next week, and they will come back for a final debate and vote in September. 
 
Were Labour happy? not a bit of it. They accused the government of "descending into chaos" for listening to them.
 
Of course, if the government had used a three-line-whip to force the proposals through Labour would have accused the PM of acting like an arrogant dictator and refusing to listen to anyone.
 
Personally I find this kind of "damned if you do and damned if you don't" approach very childish and suspect it is one of the things which puts many ordinary people off politics. I am pleased that the government takes getting it right on this important issue sufficiently seriously that they were willing to listen to the request for more time to debate and consult on the proposals.
 
A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister told Politics Home the change of plan showed the Government was listening to the desires of MPs.
 
“I think this reflects a willingness on the part of the Government to respect the parliamentary process, listen to views that have been expressed in the House, discussions that the Commons leader has had with Members and, reflecting on that, the appetite there to have further debate on the issue,” she said.

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