Feature: The race to reform

Thursday, 11 June 2009 12:00 AM

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Some want to go further still. Lord Foulke's outburst against a BBC News 24 presenter set the tone and politics.co.uk has spoken to at least one MP in recent days who wants the culture of openness to reach beyond the world of politics and Westminster.

"I think it's ironic, given the recent media interest and very legitimate interest in way in which we as MPs are paid, that the BBC itself shouldn't also be open about what it's paying to those who are superstars and in some cases perhaps those who are presenters of news and current affairs programmes," Labour MP Sir Peter Soulsby explains to politics.co.uk.

"I do think that using the pretext of the Data Protection Act, as I gather the BBC has been using, to prevent openness and transparency just has so many rings of the way we in parliament, or those who are involved in parliament, tried to prevent access to MPs' pay and allowances."

He's talking about the BBC's refusal to reveal the salaries it pays its "superstars" on the grounds that doing so would undermine them in the marketplace.

Sir Peter suggests the need for disclosure in the current climate outweighs these considerations, however.

"It is ironic but I think what the Labour government was reflecting when it introduced that Act is even more widespread - and that is an expectation of openness and transparency in public life," he adds.

"That ought to apply to all those in the public sector - and in a very real sense the BBC is in the public sector."

Harnessing public anger

The Beeb has had its crises of confidence in recent years, but public anger is now focused solely on parliament and it's this mood of frustration which some campaigners hope to harness.

It's the 'them and us' culture, the lack of accountability, and the sense that most people wouldn't have been allowed to get away with the conduct of politicians that has roused the ire of Willie Sullivan of Vote for a Change.

"This campaign is a reaction to the current mood. So there's a momentum for change and we are calling for a fundamental change that's about sharing power," he says.

That momentum could lead to the most significant change of all those born of the expenses crisis: electoral reform.

"What we want to happen is a referendum on electoral reform," Mr Sullivan explains.

"I don't think that in itself is hugely radical. I think it's radical for some of the politicians to consider - giving power away. That's what reform should be about - sharing power, rather than concentrating it. We prescribe that as the problem."

His campaign proposes establishing a citizen's assembly of 100-200 people to decide on the right form of electoral reform. This would then be put to the public at the same time as the next general election, making the next parliament the last to be chosen under the existing system.

"We have to convince the wider population that the issue of electoral reform is about how we tackle the problems that have been exposed by the expenses scandal," he finishes. Persuading the prime minister and the government of the need for a referendum bill is Vote for a Change's goal.

There are a range of options available, but one of them Brown appears to have moved decisively against. "I still believe the link between the MP and constituency is essential and that it is the constituency that is best able to hold MPs to account," the prime minister said. This will come as a disappointment to one of his backbenchers, Colin Challen, an ardent supporter of proportional representation.

"PR does tend to have a polarising effect on some politicians," he admits.

"But I think when you look at how the next general election is going to play out, people might feel they want their views more fairly reflected in the system."

Is this a hint with Labour heading for an assured defeat they would gain a better share of seats this time around?

"I think we should strike while the iron is hot," he pressed. And forcing parties to work together wouldn't be such a bad idea either.

The expenses scandal has fired a starting gun on the latest race for reform. All parties seem committed; now the fight is on to decide exactly what shape these changes will take.

Brown, like the other party leaders, appears committed to shaking up the system. The coming general election heightens the need for action, while the election of the new Speaker will help focus MPs' minds.

The public, meanwhile, remains dissatisfied and resentful. Whichever changes are made will only succeed if they dampen and placate that anger.

Alex Stevenson

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