Unaccountable politicians. Silenced voices. A democracy in crisis. Our relationship with our MPs begins and ends at the ballot box. But our voting system has left us weak, and them strong. It dictates whose votes count and whose views matter. It decides which MPs are safe to enjoy jobs for life – all expenses paid. It has set the rules for our broken politics.
Today our politicians need to trust the British people. Give us the power to decide the future of our Parliament. Give us a referendum on a new voting system. Give us the chance to Vote for a Change.
The House of Commons has just passed a Money Resolution authorising the government to spend public funds on a referendum to decide the voting system, by 357 votes to 180. The Commons will now debate the substance of the issue as government moves an amendment to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.
Ironically, the Money Resolution was opposed by Douglas Hogg, the MP who leapt to fame for … more >
“Do you find yourself unaffected by praise or criticism?”
“Do you have difficulty trusting people?”
“Do you feel a yearning for acceptance among your peers?”
Have you asked these questions of yourself? Well you can save a trip to the psychiatrists’ couch by using one of the plethora of online analysts to work out if you’re crazy.
Or you can just ask David Cameron.
If you’re reading this blog, … more >
Things are heating up ahead of next Tuesday’s vote. And if some of the invective we’ve heard is anything to go by, our opponents are looking pretty desperate.
Given the poverty of their arguments our opponents are often inclined to reach for a man with a moustache when voting reform rears its head. It's altogether easier than making a case for our broken elections.
Reading MP Rob Wilson got … more >
Well we’ve coaxed the government into action, but it’s not over yet.
No sooner had we extracted Brown’s pledge then the fight back commenced from the opposition. The tone was set on Tuesday’s Newsnight, when Tory Chair Eric Pickles said - with what we can only assume was a straight face - "we're for fairness" while defending (although astutely avoiding giving one real positive for) our … more >
Another big day for the campaign. Today, from the comfort of the Royal Society of Arts, the PM made clear his intention to start legislating for a referendum on electoral reform. The Constitutional Renewal Bill – with our amendment – is winging its way to Parliament.
We’ve won the argument with government. Legislation in this parliament is the only way we can begin the process of rebuilding trust … more >