The Day That Democracy Came Back from the Dead; Last November, Anthony Sampson Wrote Here That Democracy Was Dying. Today He Recants, Saying This Week's Commons Debate Was Greater Than the One He Heard at the Time of Suez

Sampson, Anthony, Daily Mail (London)

Byline: ANTHONY SAMPSON

THE EXTRAORDINARY debate in the Commons on Wednesday was much more than a significant protest against the Government's policy over Iraq. It was a historic reassertion of Parliament's role as the guardian of democracy.

Three months ago, I wrote in the Mail about the growing dictatorial powers of the Prime Minister and the weakening of those institutions - the House of Lords, the Judiciary, a strong Opposition - who should keep his powers in check. It was, I suggested, tantamount to the death of democracy in this country.

But this week we have seen a counterattack from Parliament which must give MPs new confidence and self-respect - and should compel the Government to rethink their defiance of democratic institutions and public opinion.

I watched it from the Press gallery - a place I had not been in for years. I wanted to compare it with the debate on the Suez Crisis which I had watched …

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Publication information: Article title: The Day That Democracy Came Back from the Dead; Last November, Anthony Sampson Wrote Here That Democracy Was Dying. Today He Recants, Saying This Week's Commons Debate Was Greater Than the One He Heard at the Time of Suez. Contributors: Sampson, Anthony - Author. Newspaper title: Daily Mail (London). Publication date: February 28, 2003. Page number: 12. © 2007 Daily Mail. COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group.

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