EVERY year there are calls for parliament to be recalled.

It’s happened twice since I was first elected: in the aftermath of 9/11 and in February 2002, after the Queen Mother’s death.

It’s quite a dramatic event when it occurs, and although there isn’t usually a vote during recall debates, there’s usually a good turnout of colleagues eager to be part of a historic occasion.

The only problem with recalls is that if they happen too often, the the standard needing to be met to justify it could be lowered. For example, in 2002, a publicity-hungry nationalist MSP demanded the recall of the Scottish Parliament because Scotland’s economy (he claimed) was in recession. It wasn’t, and the economy is largely reserved to Westminster, but you see my point?

Every year, there’s always someone who’s first out of the stocks, demanding a recall. This year’s winner is John Redwood, who has today written to the Prime Minister demanding as much. Libya and the release of Al-Megrahi seem to be his principle reasons. But he also has a shopping list of other concerns up his sleeve: quantative easing and the economy, the NHS, Afghanistan and the nature of the devolution settlement. He also cites the need to debate “several good (select) committee reports” published since the recess started.

Phew!

Now, these are all important issues, of course, but because something is important doesn’t necessarily mean it justifies a recall.

Interestingly, John also tell the PM: “Since we last were permitted to do our jobs…”, as if MPs need Gordon Brown’s permission to be MPs. I certainly don’t, and have been working for my constituents during the recess, as have, I’m sure, virtually all MPs. Obviously JR feels he can’t do his job as an MP unless he’s speaking in the chamber of the House of Commons.

That’s not the view of most MPs (of all parties). Even if parliament is not recalled, that shouldn’t (and doesn’t) affect MPs’ ability to represent our constituents and debate issues of importance, even if that debate takes place on the internet, where (shock! horror!) non-parliamentarians can respond and take part instead of simply watching it on BBC Parliament.