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David Cameron throws down gauntlet on constitutional reform in wake of MPs expenses
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor26 May 2009
David Cameron moved to outflank Gordon Brown again today over the MPs expenses scandal with plans to slash the powers of Downing Street and open up Parliament.
The Tory leader unveiled a raft of reforms to respond to the events of recent weeks, including removing the right of the Prime Minister to dictate the timing of a general election.
Saying that there was a hunger for a “new politics” which gave more power to voters, Mr Cameron also set out proposals to give the public a right to introduce laws, backed by petitions.
In his speech to the Open University, he added that a Tory panel would “very soon” have details of all the party's expenses and he would then decide which MPs needed to face re-election.
His words came as all three main parties struggled to capture the public mood for radical change to Parliament. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg today called for voters to be given a right to “sack” MPs who had been found guilty of wrongdoing.
Commons Leader Harriet Harman and Justice Secretary Jack Straw are also looking to cut the grip of party whips over the Commons and select committees. Health Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday called for a referendum on electoral reform. Downing Street was said to be “relaxed” about the move and by a call from Ed Miliband for an end to the term “honourable member”.
In his speech, Mr Cameron proposed phone text alerts for voters who want to keep track of a Bill, publishing expenses of all public servants earning more than £150,000 and allowing councils to overturn Whitehall decisions to close post offices or railway stations.
He said the expenses scandal had produced “dramatic and turbulent weeks for our whole political process”. But he added that while there had to be “rapid and far-reaching steps to clean up” Parliament, “the public reaction to this political crisis is far too serious to be assuaged by any instant package of measures, or the sight of MPs paying the price for unethical behaviour”.
Mr Cameron ruled out changing the voting system, warning it would actually hand more power to party elites as they carved up government jobs. He said that “the British people's fury at politicians today” indicates a much deeper problem with Parliament.
The Tory leader said talk of “revolution” had been overblown and the nation must “keep a cool head and a sense of proportion”. But he warned that change was needed to give the public power over issues from school admissions to policing and rubbish collection.
The number of MPs should be cut by 10 per cent — about 64 — and the idea of fixed-term Parliaments would be considered by a Tory administration.
He said: “We do need a new politics in this country. Politicians will have to change their attitude — big time.”
Reader views (34)
Rolling, Random, Representation, the three R’s, .... and until we get it things are only going to get worse.
Take one child in each constituency, give them each a dart, take a randomized voter’s role for each constituency, lay the relevant role out on the ground, have the child throw the dart into the list. Whoever’s name is chosen becomes MP for six years, the only excuse for not taking up the “appointment” would be terminal illness, change out one third of parliament every two years by this method and hey presto civil servants would immediately be subject not to the will of “parliament” but the will of the people, real people. At present MPs choose prime ministers and so it would be in this system.
Then again that would be a true representative democracy by definition and who in their right mind would be in favour of that? As Churchill that famous Dundee MP I think it was once said “If letting people put an X on a piece of paper every few years actually allowed them to change anything we wouldn’t let them do it”.
Any good mother would die to save her child and “the mother of parliaments” should vote herself out of existence and hand over to the child and the three R's.
It's time.
- John, Aberdeen, UK, 27/05/2009 08:29
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We don't want 'constitutional reform' - we want moral re-armament. Until and unless people are brought up to respect themselves and others or are frightened to do wrong (which in itself means delineating right from wrong which the mob in power are frightened to do) then the country will continue to go to the dogs. It is now rotten through and through from top to bottom and no amount of tinkering with the Lords and proportional represenation or putting expenses on-line or (heavens forbid) inviting ordinary Joes into parliament, with all their petty inbuilt prejudices, selfishness and narrow views, will make the slightest bit of difference. The whole ethos is wrong, wrong, wrong. Quite frankly, it's not going to change. It's too late. So wait for the 'barbarians' to invade and take us over. That's the next chapter.
- Judith C, London, England, 26/05/2009 19:43
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Next time Cameron calls for a General Election the Prime Minister should reply :-
"Actually I think fixed term parliaments are a good idea and I am therefore trying one out!"
Camerons call is more due to the fact that like all Tory Governments his will end up with party splits when the subject of europe arises.
As for a referendum if we had one and voted - NO. Would he hold another one if Ireland and the rest of Europe voted - Yes?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 26/05/2009 19:05
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Cameron has put forward some interesting ideas that deserve consideration. He sees the need to restrain the powers of the executive and in particular the Prime Minister. I would have thought many contributors to this debate would have welcomed some brake on Blair taking us to war in Iraq; on Thatcher bringing in the Poll Tax; on Brown racking up huge levels of debt. We do not all agree about these things, but we ought to welcome some attempt to promote a more challenged political democracy. Blind support for party in the House of Commons is what fails us more than anything else.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 26/05/2009 18:12
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if anybody truely wants to reform parliament we could start by;
paying m.p's £52 k. a year a fair wage.
a limit of £250. per week all exe's.
a 45 week working year.
a review of the subsidised food and drink venues en
house; are they really justified?
if members lived in council accomodation and used public transport, might they better know the problems that beset the greater numbers?
rather than party animals voting for their party good, bad ,or indifferent a free vote for what is common sense, no matter the political colour of the proposal.
sadly i doubt any of the present shower would embrace any of the above, or anything remotely close to it.
we might however at least review the subsidized eating and drinking en house and any other thus far unrevealed subsidized perks.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 26/05/2009 17:51
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"...First he wants an election straight away and then he calls for fixed term parliaments. What a hypocrite!.."
No a typical British Career politician the scourge of democracy. Career politicians have been programmed to say what they think people want to hear, they no longer have a conviction or vision of how to make the world a better place. They should look at people like Tony Benn a true man of honour a politician the British people deserve.
- Gary, Brentwood, 26/05/2009 16:46
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#Malcolm, London
Wrong again. The 3 day week was under the Ted Heath government when he took on the miners. I remember it well; the times I had to finish typing in the dark whilst my boss held a torch over my work because of the power cuts. The number of times we had to leave the cinema during a James Bond film, for the same reason;I never did get to see how it ended. I was young(comparatively) and foolish in those days, and really enjoyed opening my pay and seeing how big an increase I had each week, because Mr Heath was increasing everyone's pay on a weekly basis to keep pace with the raging inflation rates, 20%+ wasn't it?. Oh yes, let's have those 'good old days' back why don't we. We went from the sublime to the ridiculous because after that debacle, there was a payfreeze. I worked for Price Waterhouse & Co and our annual increase was zero. Those of us who showed loyalty by remaining with the company were much appreciated because the only way of getting a pay rise was by going to a new job. When the election was eventually called, Ted Heath fought on who ran the country, him or the miners. He was buried and James Callaghan was elected. Reginald Maudling apologised to JC about the state of the books when he handed them over. You are obviously a lot younger than me, I am 71. I have forgotten more about politics than you will ever know. As they say, don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs. You obviously take your information from a highly selective source.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 26/05/2009 16:15
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Keith Price from Luton (and Val from Spain)
Before you make the same mistake as you obviously did in the last 3 elections by voting Labour, let's just explore their actual record in government. Since Labour first came to power in 1924 there have been 6 Labour administrations:
1) 1924 - a minority government that lasted just 9 months
2) 1929 (McDonald) had to band together with conservatives in 1931 to solve the financial crisis
3) 1945 (Atlee) - ended with Devaluation of the pound
4) 1964 (Wilson) - ended with Devaluation of the pound 9again!!)
5) 1974 (Wilson/Callaghan) - ended with "Winter of Discontent" - 3 day weeks, power cuts etc
6) 1997+ (Blair/Brown) - resulted in biggest budget deficit & Debt mountain the UK has ever seen, collapse in value of pond (another Devaluation in effect) unemployment over 3 million by end of 2009, possible loss of UK's AAA credit rating.
About time you woke up to the fact that Labour Economic policy has NEVER worked.
- Malcolm, London, 26/05/2009 14:57
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He will only agree to a fixed term parliament IF the Tories have a majority - hardly doing this for the good of the country then is he? Obviously scared if a hung parliament with the Liberals that he will also have to include proportional representation in any vote. If he really wants to provide transparency for the voters I can't see why Mr Cameron can't agree to fix the term in any event.
- Andy, london, 26/05/2009 14:57
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I seem to recall that in October 2007 David Cameron said he was against fixed term Parliaments. An example of Doppelganger Dave's changing stance was when he complained because Tony Blair stepped down mid-term instead of serving for a full 5 years fixed term as he said he would. How can he now do a 360 degree turn and tell Gordon Brown to call an election before the 5 year fixed term is up in 2010, if this is the system he is in favour of.
#Wayne
I have to say the area in which we live was exceptional and highly sought after. Sadly, a certain Mark Thatcher moved into a villa across the calle and in these circumstances, your description of 'Costa Crime' could not have been more apt. His presence certainly lowered the tone. However, as he has now disappeared into the night again, hopefully for good, the area has returned to what it was, relaxed, peaceful and criminal free.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 26/05/2009 14:34
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First he wants an election straight away and then he calls for fixed term parliaments. What a hypocrite!
- Robert C, London UK, 26/05/2009 14:18
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"the Conservatives aren't up to much but come the next election we're all going to hold our noses and vote for them "
You are claiming that the Tories have a putrid smell, but you wouldn't vote for vermin or oil pollution or nucklear waste, so whhy vote Tory when their "gimmick a day" leader is so clearly inexperienced. and a mere show-pony for the party
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 26/05/2009 14:11
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Is is ironic that whist Nu Labour sought to reform the house of lords they didnt seem so keen on keeping watch as to what was actually happening in their own house! What goes around eventually comes around and what history will make of our greedy MP's, only time will tell....
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt, 26/05/2009 13:55
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Interesting idea from DC. However, I bet a bag of gumdrops that it will get quietly forgotten when/if he gets the keys to number 10 in the next twelve months.
Tony Bliar was a big fan of proportional representation in 1997, right up until the point when the existing system delivered him 3 election victories in a row, despite a minority of the electorate voting for his party.
I now see that Johnson and Brown are sniffing around PR again, as they see it as a potential salvation for the mire that they are presently entrenched in. Dream on, boys.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 26/05/2009 12:16
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No feeding the trolls' citizens, let try and be civil to one and another
Perhaps something good can come from politics. But only if we can capture all the energy coming from this spin used by the leading three parties.
Text messages to each voter what utter ostentatious drivel. The big three have let us down let's start a new party and call it the 'people's popular front (PPF) and allow all the public to have internet votes on all major issues and the power of veto on rubbish ideas.
1. Half the number of MP's
2. Come out of Europe – Should save billions
3. All accounts and every penny spent is published and free to access on the internet for anyone who has voted.
4. Tighten border control
5. Build more prisons
6. Ensure every child has a school college and university place
7. Free NHS treatment and prescriptions for all British citizens not just those born in Celtic areas.
7. Amalgamate all taxes (inheritance, car, VAT NI and Income) into one tax paid by every tax payer at the same rate no exceptions or tax dodgers. If you don’t pay tax in this country you can not work here or claim any benefits.
8. Add none of the above to the ballot paper
Just thinking out loud
- Ge, Cornwall, 26/05/2009 12:15
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Cameron is sounding more radical every week, but will all these exciting promises of his actually get anywhere once he's in power? I won't hold my breath.
- John, Biggleswade, 26/05/2009 12:07
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Keith Price from Luton (and Val from Spain)
Your wasting your breath. Yes, we know that the Conservatives aren't up to much but come the next election we're all going to hold our noses and vote for them because the truth is, we all hate labour more!
You've had 12 years and you've failed.
- Chris, Brighton, England, 26/05/2009 11:58
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Until criminal charges are made and jail sentences issued to those MPs who have committed fraud and other crimes whatever anyone says is just talk. 100% sure Brown will be out soon but Tory and others still need to do a massive amount to win any trust back.
- Mike, London England, 26/05/2009 11:53
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Just maybe some good will come out of this debacle. Parliament will never, ever be the same of that there is no doubt. Gordon Brown has no one but himself to blame for this mess. With his massive majority he could have got any reforms through he wanted; but he choose the easy life and its back fired on him big time. No wonder he wanted to keep all of this under wraps until after the general election. Cameron is now running rings round him and provided he goes through with his big ideas he will get cross party backing and the backing of the country. Labour is now dead in the water - although many of of the offenders were from other parties Brown has to take the blame for allowing it to happen. Its a case of the buck stop with him. He was quick enough off the mark getting the bankers sacked so the same rules must apply to him. Time to go.
- B Gare, Norfok Gorleston, 26/05/2009 11:53
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ALL MPs who have been caught up in this expenses scandal must be SACKED - not merely allowed to "stand down at the next election" thus claiming an over inflated salary plus obscene expenses for a further year - and being awarded with a "golden handshake" in the form of severance pay when they retire. Such an option is unacceptable.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 26/05/2009 11:32
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- Keith Price, Luton, England
You are wrong my little Labour voter. Socialism does not work, it has never worked. Labour will not even register in the general election.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 26/05/2009 11:19
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The people of this country won't be satisfied until proper criminal investigations are carried out into the very many criminal actions carried out by the majority of MP's, tax evasion and fraud. Without this there can be no faith in our current political system and representatives. These people cannot just walk away, saying sorry, paying some back, but walking away with so much more.
- Ranter, maidstone, UK, 26/05/2009 10:57
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Keith Price,
All we need now is your friend "Sad Val from Costa Crime" to join the debate and spurt the Brown Line. What is your leader doing apart from sitting in his bunker chewing his finger nails, trembling at the fault of having to sack any one of his dodgy crew of ministers. As you have the time - get a dictionary out and learn to spell "Labour" is correctly spelt "BAD RUBBISH!
- Wayne, Herts, Uk, 26/05/2009 10:44
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Giving people power and offering referendi to politicians is like garlic to vampires. Nothing wrong with people having a say and the vast majority will not be swayed by the media on which way to vote. Call me Dave is blowing in the right direction bit will it ever be put into practice.
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi, 26/05/2009 10:44
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Parliament belongs to the people. Democracy is government by the people for the people.
The system isn’t bust; it is the corrupt MP’s that are members of the elite ruling political class that are acting like feudal laws that are the problem.
The first step towards democracy is to ban the idea that People being allowed to vote for those on the prescribed political lists has in anyway anything to do with democracy. The only people who can choose candidates to represent a constituency are the people that vote in that constituency. Getting democracy is that system.
- Ian, Reading, England, 26/05/2009 10:09
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"DC has stolen the initiative from the clueless Labour muppets"
No Dave - your mate David is clueless. Does he really believe the British peiioke are so stupid that they will elect an arrogant show-pony with absolutely no wxpweiwnce in poliitics. The answer is NO
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 26/05/2009 10:07
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David - Opportunistic, sound-bites, flip-flopping, make-it-up-as-you-go-along, "what do they want to hear next?", "my lot are as bent as all the others"- Cameron.
If you are so visionary, clean, and in control of your party then why have they been taking the mickey since you've been leader? Brown has been busy with the PM job and the current mess- what's YOUR excuse? Maybe you've been too busy scoring points.
This happened on your watch as well Cameron- shouldn't you step-down? After all, when something is wrong at a Govt department, aren't you the first to whinge that the Minister in charge should resign?
It'll never happen. Too much earnest talking to into cameras and strong, decisive hand actions to practice. And a dead-cert PM job- you wouldn't want anything to come between you and the Top Job, now would you?
Every MP, bar a few, is powered by naked ambition, not the desire to serve US, the people of the UK. After all, when you are married to a multi-millionairess, what do you do to come up to scratch? I know! become PM, it's quicker than building a business empire, and easier.
- Fresh, London, 26/05/2009 10:05
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No, No, No! Then the making of Law would then be dictated by the Media. Absolutely unacceptable. The MP's are all just trying to wriggle out of their troubles that they made all by themselves. No more jobs for the boys please! We need people with skills and talent (and a bit of creativity wouldnt go amiss).
- Angel, London, 26/05/2009 10:00
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The Political Class in Westminster is calling for change when the only flaw is the character and the conduct of our politicians, not the structures or procedures or regulations.
These calls for change are at best just a deflection, or more contrived moves to polarize absolute power with the ruling elite.
Parliament belongs to the People - we just want it back. The People of the UK deserve to live in a free democracy where they get to choose their candidates. Voting for members of the Ruling Elite from prescribed political lists is not democracy.
- Ian, Reading, England, 26/05/2009 10:00
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So we just allow MPs to 'stand down ' and let them walk away Scot Free with a golden handshake in Severance Pay, Pensions,Grants and Allowances (plus the costs of two homes)? If MPs' were simply sacked and prosecuted it would be a different story .It would certainly save Taxpayers, £Ms' .
- Frank, Bristol UK, 26/05/2009 09:52
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Talk and plans are one thing actually making them happen is another. Never again will the BRITISH public trust a MP. I find it very hard to believe that out of some 600+ MPs none of them had the nerve,guts or belief in the UK to spill the beans, instead its been up to the press to expose these crooks and the House of Frauds
- Mike, London England, 26/05/2009 09:36
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It would be satisfying for all of the pulic to establish that all of those MP's who have been caught with their hands in the till are immediately dismissed from their duties in public office, and most importantly, "without any pay at all".
They should all be named and shamed on a register and never be allowed to work in any type of public office again.
If the FSA can cause devistation into my life for the theft of £1.75 worth of petrol some 20 years ago, i.e. youthful negligence and cause an abomination for my wife and children, then I think that it is only right and proper for those thieves and their families, i.e. MP's to have the same abomination that they dish out to everyone else.
What sauce is good for the goose is also good for the gander!
- Qamar Hussain, Loughborough United Kingdom, 26/05/2009 08:48
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DC has stolen the initiative from the clueless Labour muppets.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 26/05/2009 08:44
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I doubt any action by a Politician can restore public faith; at least Cameron has come out of this mess showing he has the skills to lead rather than follow as Brown does.
Politicians should stop looking everywhere for answers to the problem. Because this all starts when they knock on the door and promise us the earth and make amazing election pledges which never emerge from the ether. Expenses is just the straw that broke the camel's back, failing to do what they promise within the election manifesto is the one that disheartened the most people. I doubt that fundamental fact will ever change because spin is all these guys know, when all the public want is honesty and elected members keeping the promise when they got elected.
How can we have a democracy when we have the whips office?
- Gary, Brentwood, 26/05/2009 08:28
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