Reforming Politics
Some points to remember:
1. The Tory plan for cutting the number of MPs, for example, would trigger a boundary review, expected to yield David Cameron as many as 40 seats.
2. Likewise, proportional representation would yoke together Labour and the Liberal Democrats, effectively institutionalising a formidable centre-left bloc.
3. The requirement that MPs have ten years’ ‘real life’ experience before entering parliament (and sorry, Mr Cameron, public relations would not count).
4. That MPs should live in their constituency for five years before standing, thus preventing outsiders from being parachuted in.
5. That no MP serve more than four terms. A third of current MPs have already passed that milestone — the average length of service is currently 14 years.
6. A new Bill of Rights which would enshrine the rights of the individual and the powers of parliament. However it would only restate rights already stated in the European Communities Act, Westminster may have precious few real powers left to enshrine.
7. Referenda, could as in California make it very difficult to run a country, especially when economic circumstances change.
8. Primaries, as in California could encourage politicians to become increasingly dependent on well organised minority groups to the dis-benefit of the wider community.
