If you could only change 5 things about the UK political system whatwould they be? - Unlock Democracy

Article posted by Unlock Democracy

As you may already be aware, POWER2010 is an exciting initiative set up by the Joseph Rowntree Trusts to push democratic reform up the political agenda in the run up to the general election. Last weekend, POWER2010 held a meeting with people from across the UK to sift through the 4,500 proposals they have received and come up with a long list of proposals to put to a public online vote.

The final list of 29 proposals has now been published. You can vote for as many of them as you would like (but bear in mind this is to establish a shortlist of five core proposals).

Unlock Democracy supports most of the proposals to make it onto the long list. In particular, we would urge our supporters to vote for the following:

• Introduce a proportional voting system
• A written constitution
• A fully elected second chamber
• Cap political donations
• Stronger local government

To vote, simply click on the links above.  You can vote for as many options as you would like.

Unlock Democracy also agrees with the following other proposals:

• Strengthening select committees: select committees perform a very important scrutiny role in Parliament and we support proposals to strengthen these.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Public consultation through a deliberative process: we support this in principle but the proposal is too vaguely worded.  The government already has a statutory obligation to consult, but how do you define ‘controversial’ and how binding is this consultation to be?
• Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state: we agree with this; the best way to limit state control is via a written constitution.
• Bill of Rights: we support this in principle but this is vaguely worded – all of the main parties support a Bill or Rights in some form.  We would push for a Bill of Rights that builds on the Human Rights Act as part of a written constitution.
• Reducing the use of statutory instruments: the use of statutory instruments to push legislation through Parliament without debate or scrutiny is damaging our democracy and have campaigned against this.  However, without proportional representation Parliament will continue to be dominated by government whips.
• Right to recall: Unlock Democracy supports ‘recall’; but we think proportional representation would have a more profound effect in making MPs more accountable.
• Expanding the Freedom of Information Act: Charter 88 played a crucial role in establishing the Freedom of Information Act and we would welcome any plans to strengthen it.  In particular we are concerned that the current exemption on releasing information regarding policy making decisions is far too wide.  A general right to know should form part of a written constitution.
• Consult on MPs’ pay, expenses and conditions: we support giving the public a greater say in agreeing these but recognise that considerable action in this area has already been taken.
• Give MPs control of the parliamentary timetable: we support strengthening parliament’s powers, including giving backbench MPs more control of the parliamentary timetable.  However, without proportional representation, Parliament will continue  to be dominated by government whips.
• Require political parties to be internally democratic: Unlock Democracy has pioneered advocating ways to make political parties more internally democratic.  Ultimately it is in their own interests to do so.
• Compulsory politics lessons in schools: schools already have compulsory citizenship classes, which must cover politics; the issue is ensuring these are about active participation in society rather than being “good” citizens.
• Banning Lords from becoming government ministers: we support this, but having an elected second chamber is a bigger priority.
• Transparent lobbying: we support this and are members of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency.
• Fixed term parliaments: we think it is unacceptable that the government can use the timing of the election for political advantage.  However, proportional representation is for us a bigger priority.
• No former MPs to the House of Lords: we believe the House of Lords should be elected – no one should be appointed to it full stop.
• Votes at 16: this would be a positive step forward but changing the voting system itself is a bigger priority.

We are formally neutral on the following

• ‘None of the above’ on ballot papers
• More free votes in the Commons: this proposal is too vague as it stands; it could reduce accountability if too many issues were free votes.
• Hold a referendum on the euro: Unlock Democracy has no position on whether the UK should join the euro. If the UK government did decide this was in the UK’s interests however, we do believe the decision should be ratified by a referendum.
• Directly elected mayors: it should be up to local people to decide whether they want a directly elected mayor or not. People in England and Wales already have the right to petition for a directly elected mayor.

We oppose the following

• Hold elections on a weekend: an expensive gimmick.  Having to store ballot papers overnight would have significant security issues.  There is nothing to suggest it will improve turnout.
• English votes on English laws: solving the “West Lothian Question” is important but would not address the fundamental problem that England is far too centralised.  There would also be profound constitutional problems if one party had a majority in England while another had a majority in the UK overall.  Decentralisation within England and proportional representation combined would mitigate this problem far more effectively.
• Ban ex-MPs from jobs related to their parliamentary work: we strongly support restricting former MPs and ministers from being able to take advantage of their contacts and inside knowledge to get paid employment for a period of time.  This proposal however is for a blanket ban on any employment related to an MP’s work which would be unreasonable.
• A second chamber of different sectors: we are doubtful that Mussolini-style corporatism would help increase democracy in the UK.  Who would decide which sectors got how many seats?  Direct election would be far more effective.

If you would like to support one of the other proposals, the full list can be found on the POWER2010 website.

via unlockdemocracy.org.uk

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