ERS: Council needs to be more than Soviet talking shop

Wednesday, 3 June 2009 12:00 AM

The Electoral Reform Society has responded to Gordon Brown's plans for a Parliamentary Standards Authority and the National Democratic Renewal Council [1]

Dr Ken Ritchie, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society said:

"The name seems more Pyongyang than Westminster. But the litmus test for the National Democratic Renewal Council - as with all the recent 'innovations' - is public trust. A sub-committee of politicians meeting behind closed doors is a million miles from what voters are demanding. They want decisive action. [2]

"MPs should be accountable to voters, not to a toothless watchdog appointed by MPs themselves. We already have a Parliamentary Commissioner, and the expenses rule book was crystal clear about the high standards that were expected.

"Sub-Committees, reviews and consultations have always proved useful for kicking meaningful reform into the long grass. If the Prime Minister wants to restore trust the public demands then he change the record. We need clear evidence that this Council is the beginning of a process and not the end. It's not going to win any prizes for names - but if he wants it to be more than a Soviet talking shop Brown must directly involve the voters and set its sights on the voting system.

"Our current voting system allows a class of unaccountable politicians to enjoy power without a mandate, and to cling onto their seats even when a majority of constituents vote to get rid of them. Addressing that fundamental issue is where democratic renewal begins."

Notes to editors:

[1] see http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/02/gordon-brown-council-of-ministers

[2] ] Political Poll for The Independent 2 June 2009 indicated overwhelming support for proportional representation among voters http://www.comres.co.uk/page190891517.aspx

About us:

The Electoral Reform Society is campaigning to change the way we choose our politicians. We believe that a fair voting system will improve our democracy, allow politicians to better represent you and help them to tackle the serious issues facing our society. Fairness, accountability and a real choice for voters should not be compromised. The Society advocates the use of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/article.php?id=48 in public elections.

Contact:

For more information contact the Electoral Reform Society on 020 7928 1622 or Ashley Dé 07968791684 or Dr Ken Ritchie on 07754 165551

Tags: