BBC NEWS Cameron pledges shake-up of power David Cameron has said a Conservative government would address voters' anger about MPs' expenses with a dramatic redistribution of power.
Writing in the Guardian, he says he would reduce prime ministerial power and boost the role of Parliament.
He would look at introducing fixed-term parliaments and more free votes for MPs but would not end first-past-the-post.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it did not go far enough and did not address the unelected House of Lords.
As the main parties try to shift focus away from the expenses revelations, Mr Cameron set out his plan to shake up Parliament.
"I believe the central objective of the new politics we need should be a massive, sweeping, radical redistribution of power," he wrote.
"Through decentralisation, transparency and accountability we must take power away from the political elite and hand it to the man and woman in the street."
The Tory leader, who is due to speak about political reform on Tuesday, says his party will "look seriously" at the idea of fixed-term Parliaments and at the "immense power" prime ministers wield through the ability to decide when to call an election.
"If we want Parliament to be a real engine of accountability, we need to show it's not just the creature of the executive," he argues.
It will also investigate possible curbs on the whipping of votes - when MPs come under pressure to toe the party line - in considering bills line-by-line at the committee stage.
“Look seriously” and pledges are not really what we want to hear, put it in a manifesto and then maybe the public will take a look, because I don’t know abut you but I trust politicians about as far as Hazel Blears can throw John Prescott.
“Truth is heavy, so few men carry it.”- Jewish proverb
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei-NHS The Other Side
Writing in the Guardian, he says he would reduce prime ministerial power and boost the role of Parliament.
He would look at introducing fixed-term parliaments and more free votes for MPs but would not end first-past-the-post.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it did not go far enough and did not address the unelected House of Lords.
As the main parties try to shift focus away from the expenses revelations, Mr Cameron set out his plan to shake up Parliament.
"I believe the central objective of the new politics we need should be a massive, sweeping, radical redistribution of power," he wrote.
"Through decentralisation, transparency and accountability we must take power away from the political elite and hand it to the man and woman in the street."
The Tory leader, who is due to speak about political reform on Tuesday, says his party will "look seriously" at the idea of fixed-term Parliaments and at the "immense power" prime ministers wield through the ability to decide when to call an election.
"If we want Parliament to be a real engine of accountability, we need to show it's not just the creature of the executive," he argues.
It will also investigate possible curbs on the whipping of votes - when MPs come under pressure to toe the party line - in considering bills line-by-line at the committee stage.
“Look seriously” and pledges are not really what we want to hear, put it in a manifesto and then maybe the public will take a look, because I don’t know abut you but I trust politicians about as far as Hazel Blears can throw John Prescott.
“Truth is heavy, so few men carry it.”- Jewish proverb
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei-NHS The Other Side
1 comment:
Love the quote and so true
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