Clelland accused of hypocrisy on smoking

LABOUR MP for Tyne Bridge, Dave Clelland, has been accused of hypocrisy by Liberal Democrat opponents after he backed a Parliamentary motion welcoming the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

 

Mr Clelland signed the Early Day Motion the day after Parliament voted for the ban.  During the debate on the ban however, Mr Clelland repeatedly intervened to call for clubs to be exempt from the clamp down on smoking.

 

The apparent sudden u-turn by Mr Clelland was discovered by Gateshead Liberal Democrat Councillor Dr Jonathan Wallace.

 

Dr Wallace said, “On 14^th February, Dave Clelland was leading the call for private members’ clubs to be exempt from the ban.  On 15^th February, he welcomes the full ban.

 

“And in a second motion he signs the same day he expresses concern about the effects of second hand smoke on staff in the House of Commons Smoking Room, which is exempt from the ban.

 

“Why he took a stronger line to protect House of Commons staff than he did for his own constituents who work in clubs in his own constituency is beyond me.

 

“However, his u-turn is welcome, even if we did have to smoke out his views!”

 

Nevertheless, Mr Clellands website carries a headline warning “Clubs under threat from Smoke Ban”.

 

The Parliamentary motions Dave Clelland MP signed:

 

EDM 1650 – signed 15^th February

 

That this House welcomes the momentous decision to achieve a total ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces; believes that this House should practise what it preaches and apply the ban throughout the House, including the Members' smoking room; and believes that, in recognition of the founder of the National Health Service the Members' smoking room should be renamed the Aneurin Bevan room, forthwith.

 

EDM 1646 – signed 15^th February

That this House notes that right hon. and hon. Members voted to ban smoking in all public places including private members' clubs on 14th February 2006; further notes that the will of the House may not apply in the House itself since it is a royal palace; further notes that this means that staff working in the Smoking Room could still be exposed to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke; and calls for this anomaly to be rectified by the House authorities as soon as possible.