POWER2010 - say;
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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.rs: 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.
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