
When Tony Blair visited the Queen on Tuesday morning, that was Parliament's cue to clear its decks.
Published: 9 May 2001 18:20 GMT
Result one: legislation to outlaw hunting with hounds was quickly shelved. Bad news for the foxes. Result two: laws to force security specialists of all kinds to carry a licence, was just as speedily rushed through the House of Commons. Bad news for some IT contractors.
But while some of our countryside inhabitants won't see the other side of the summer, MP approval of the Private Security Industry Bill is not necessarily the end of the road for the security industry.
Indeed Home Office Minister Charles Clarke admitted as much when he told the House: "It is our fundamental principle to ensure the Bill is targeted at those... who we want to regulate, and that we do not inadvertently catch groups that are not relevant to our policy aims."
The CBI and CSSA clearly believe IT workers fall into the second category and will have another chance to argue their case when the DTI holds its promised consultation. And argue their case, they should.
The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) emerged as one of the most potent lobbying groups of the last Parliament when it took on the government over IR35. While it did not always win its battles its plan of attack offers significant hope for those willing to fight this newer cause; namely, the arguments will continue - and can be won - long after ideas become law.
And if the PCG - which has been strangely quiet on this particular issue - decides to join forces with the CBI and the CSSA, you can bet there will be few people in the DTI looking forward to those consultation meetings.
It may even be worth losing an election to avoid.
Candidates who bring with them life experience that gives them clarity about their own limits and need to engage and consult with others in a ...
Java C# Contractors Investment Banking / Derivatives to 500+ daily. Java contractors required by our global investment banking client to work on ...
s Web Strategy;5.Develop web editorial and technical standards for staff publishing to the website in line with Council aims and objectives;6.Create ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
The Round-Up The Weekly Round-Up: 27.11.09 Sorry gran!
The Round-Up The Weekly Round-Up: 20.11.09 Do you need to shape up?