This document outlines a series of policy proposals aimed at restoring trust in democracy. Each proposal addresses a specific aspect of the democratic process and governance in the UK
1. Votes at 16
Everyone is affected by government policy, but the disparity between representation and responsibility is greatest between those aged 16, who cannot vote, and those aged 18 who can.
Everything from education policy through to health and social policy can have an immediate effect on 16 year olds have no say in who represents them at a national and local level. At 16 a person can join the Army, but not vote. A 16 year old can work, but not vote. A 16 year old is old enough to be tried in a court and punished for breaking the law, but cannot vote.
Reducing the voting age will also increase the political and democratic engagement of young people. Getting younger people involved in the national debate early, ensuring that they have a stake and a say, should improve the political discourse more broadly.
2. Restrict MPs’ Ability To Have Second Jobs
When MPs have other jobs it may be a distraction or cause a conflict of interest. MPs would only be permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours per week on other roles. This would make it feasible for people who own farms or small business’s to become MPs, but remove the major conflicts we have seen over recent years.
3. Require Sensible Service Contracts
Private for-profit transport providers have on occasion managed to renegotiate contracts with local and national authorities in order to reduce losses and costs when times have got tougher. These moves are almost always taken in order to protect profits and sometimes occur shortly after being awarded a franchise. This has led to poorer service to the communities that these providers serve and has harmed the reputation of local and national governments. We will ensure that private companies that bid to provide public services are held accountable for any breaches of contract.
4. Require Government Ministers To Have Relevant Experience
Currently people may act as ministers without any knowledge of the field. Minimum standards of knowledge and experience would be set for each ministerial position.
5. Remove Financial Barriers To Standing In Elections
The candidacy deposits for elections (e.g. £500 to run for MP) favour wealthy candidates and parties. Abolishing candidacy deposits would improve access for independents and small parties. We would encourage participation by including Information on how to stand for election with voter registration materials.
6. Remove Bishops From The House Of Lords
A significant proportion of the UK’s population are non-religious, or are of another faith. Having Bishops in the House of Lords no longer provides useful representation. We are committed to House of Lords reform but this should be part of any changes, or undertaken as an interim measure.
7. Reform The House Of Lords
Reform of the House of Lords is necessary to ensure that the Lords remains relevant and effective as an expert body, and acts as a proper check on the activities of the Commons. However the scope, scale and specifics of any reform are something that needs to be discussed at length and in public. We all have a stake in the future shape of of our democracy.
We intend to start a national discussion about the shape of the Lords and how it can be improved without damaging the work that the Lords does.
8. Reform MPs’ Pay
The issue of MPs’ pay has been very controversial. We would reform MPs’ pay. A possible incentive for MPs to think more widely about society. may be to link their pay to a prosperity measure. MPs wage would be fixed to its current multiple of the median wage. As the median wage changes, MPs wages would be scaled proportionately.
9. Rate All Spending In Pounds Per QALY
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence uses the “Quality Adjusted Life year” (QALY) as a measure of how much good a drug does. To be approved, the drug must buy at least one QALY for each £30,000 spent.
We aim to trial the use of pounds per QALY in areas outside of health as an aid in decision making, with a view to rolling it out across all areas of government if it is successful. Using a uniform measure across defence, policing, education and all other areas of spending would give the public and government an idea as to where money can be best spent to achieve a rapid benefit. We believe that making explicit the estimates that go into justifying spending might give better results than hiding justifications or using less evidence based methods.
10. Make Parliament Work
To enhance legislative quality, we propose rigorous pre-legislative scrutiny for all bills prior to parliamentary consideration. Addressing concerns about the influence of Whips in the Commons, measures to diminish their power would be explored. Additionally, we advocate for the establishment of permanent elected legislative committees for each government department, aiming to replace ad hoc public bill committees, with various approaches to be trialed for effectiveness. Implementing recommendations from reports such as the Wright and Goodlad reports, including the creation of House business committees and an evidence-taking stage for all bills, is crucial. Furthermore, limiting the use of rules to restrict debate in the Commons to cases of genuine rule abuse, instituting post-legislative scrutiny for significant policy-changing bills, and mandating the maintenance of a register of lobbyists and records of their interactions with legislators or government officials are deemed necessary steps for enhancing parliamentary efficacy.
11. Independent Public Spending Reviews
An independent audit of public sector spending and processes should be carried out annually, with bi-annual review of spending to identify where spending reductions or greater returns are possible without reducing the overall effectiveness of the public sector.
12. Increase Government Transparency And Accountability
We will introduce a new right for constituents to force a by-election in the event of a loss of confidence in their MP.
We will require minutes of all meetings of officials on government business to be accessible through Freedom of Information requests. We will also aim to ensure that all available information that could be requested under a Freedom of Information request is made public by default.
We will require that all international treaties be passed through the UK parliament as a standard bill, requiring the full approval of both houses.
13. Implement Proportional Representation
We see proportional representation as vital to ensuring that government properly represents everyone, and that everyone’s voice matters in elections. We intend to restart the national debate and push for a system of proportional representation to be implemented for all elections in the UK.
14. English Assembly
Scottish and Welsh MPs may vote on issues that affect England only. Because of devolution English voters are relatively under-represented. A new English government would be formed with separately-elected members.
15. Democratise The City Of London
We support the democratisation of the City of London. Given the City’s huge impact on the UK it is important that it is accountable and transparent. We support an end to business and corporate block votes in all council elections; the abolition of existing “secrecy practices” within the City, and total and transparent reform of its institutions to end corporate tax evasion; the decommissioning of the City of London police with officers being brought under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan police force; and the abolition of the offices of the Lord Mayor of London, the Sheriffs and the Aldermen.
Finally, we support a commission to examine any corruption, malpractice, or illegal activities within the City or its institutions with the aim of preventing any similar future abuses as well as ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done.
16. Demand Accountability From Government Suppliers
The delivery of services to government is littered with stories of companies exceeding budgets and delivering late. We will implement penalties for significant performance failures for government suppliers. If a company fails to deliver a government within 25% of budget or 25% of the deadline then that company (its parent organisations and subsidiaries) would be banned from providing services or products to the government for at least 2 years.
17. Dealing With Political Defections
Elected representatives may currently defect to a different party and remain in office. This may result in voters feeling unrepresented or misled. A defection to a different political party would trigger a by-election for that post.
18. Conflicts Of Interest
Some politicians may vote in favour of policies that benefit themselves financially. MPs would be banned from voting when they have a financial interest in the result.
19. Aim For A Balanced Budget
Whilst not achievable in the very short term, we support the fact that the UK needs a balanced budget rather than continuous deficit spending.