Constitutional Reform

The strength of Britain is its components and its traditions. Tony Blair’s excursions into this area were never part of a fully thought through plan and might prove to be the undoing of the UK, I for one hope that reason prevails.  

The debate on an elected or appointed Upper House needs to be finalised.  The “heart” says elected, but the most thorough analysis that I have seen, from one of my students, who works there for her OU Systems Thinking project, indicates that appointed individuals will serve the nation best.  This has been recently repeated on The Politics Show (BBC1 14 June 2009) by the recently retired Black Rod.  Members should be appointed, but the method of appointment needs review.  One route could be eminence together with a willingness to put that eminence to use for the good of the country.  The other by appointment from published party lists (the most ambitions politicians, will opt for the Commons) in line with the proportion of votes cast in General Elections.  Why not have a mix of both.  Some may fear parties like the BNP getting a seat, but there can be a threshold, but more exposure will encourage a few but will deter the many.

Clearly the expenses situation needs urgent attention; it has already done considerable damage in the eyes of the public.  What could be simpler than “Receipted and Reasonable”?  Even with a complex set of rules, judgments calls will still have to be made.  So let us have a powerful independent committee assessing all expenses and “second jobs”.  Lock those leaders into the decisions taken on their “subordinates” calls on the public purse.  Far better than any recall system as it is hard to see who it be guaranteed not to be used inappropriately.  Better instead to have automatic disqualification for certain misdemeanours.

Fundamentally we do not pay our legislators too much but we do have far too many of them.  David Cameron seems to agree that we now have too many MPs.  As I have said legislators in past versions of this piece.  Since I would wish to include MEPs and Regional Governments in any formula on the total number of legislators covering an area.  For example, as powers devolve to the Regions those areas should require fewer seats in Westminster.  And revenue raising powers should follow and central subsidies reduce.  Then such legislatures will have to work for their money for the good of their region.  The Calman Report deserves our support.

Fixed term Parliaments are also to be welcomed.  The heat of the debate will also include how long?  I would plump for SIX years.