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Communities
Summer 2009
Reform of the political system has always been an important element of the submissions we receive from you, and all the NPF reps took forward a wide range of proposals to the NPF meeting at Warwick last summer that agreed the final document. After a summary of Prime Ministers proposals, we have included below a recap on what we achieved at Warwick in setting party policy for the next election.
The Prime Minister’s Proposals
For fuller details and to read or see his statement, go to http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19582
A code of conduct for MPs with independent regulation
A legally binding code of conduct for MPs, enforced by a Parliamentary Standards Authority that has powers to look at expense claims, disallow items, demand repayment and impose financial penalties on those breaking the rules. There is also the suggestion that constituents could recall for re-election any MP who breaks the financial rules. A new bill will be published before the end of July.
Reform of the House of Lords
Complete the reforms we have started by having a mostly or wholly elected chamber, with a tougher code of conduct and a crackdown on misconduct by members who break the rules.
Written constitution, accountability and transparency
There will be a consultation on extending Freedom of Information to those bodies that receive public money, but to whom FoI does not apply at present. Official papers will be published after 20, rather than 30, years (excluding cabinet papers and those regarding the Royal Family). Commons select committees will be more independent of the whips offices, and have greater powers to scrutinise legislation. The previous commitment to consult on a written constitution was repeated.
Voting age
Reduction of the voting age to 16 will be considered urgently.
Electoral reform
There will be a consultation on electoral reform, with a possible referendum on any proposals after the next election.
Policies from local parties and NPF members agreed at Warwick
At the end of the three year National Policy Forum cycle last year, the NPF met with the government and trade unions to agree the final document, at Warwick. The issues highlighted by the Prime Minister were a major part of the discussions the NPF had and the commitments the NPF achieved. Your submissions and those of local parties throughout the country made it clear that the party needed to go further on constitutional reform. We made significant progress, as you can see below, and the proposals now being made by the Prime Minister reflect the feeling of the party.
The agreement made at Warwick included these commitments for party policy going into the general election. If re-elected, Labour would deliver:
A 100% elected House of Lords that is also more representative of the people and nations of the UK
A reduction in the voting age to 16 for all elections
A review of different voting systems across the world and the experience of them (good and bad), to prepare the way for a consultation on electoral reform
Investigation of how to increase voter participation in elections, including considering weekend voting
Consideration of a written constitution
CLP reps from across the country succeeded in getting these accepted as party policy for the next election, and we welcome the fact that their importance and urgency has been recognised and some will be implemented earlier than expected.
There was also progress on action on the make-up of publicly elected bodies, from the European and British Parliaments to Assemblies and Councils. The government agreed to amend the Equality Bill, so that it included provisions to allow positive action to redress the under-representation of BAME members in all elected bodies
So we are pleased to see so many of the ideas proposed by CLPs now being implemented by the Government.