Cameron promises People Power (Let's hope they can be bothered)

David Cameron's speech spelling out his vision for reform of the British political system is here.

"No, this political crisis shows that big change is required.

We do need a new politics in this country.

We do need sweeping reform.

But we've got to get it right.

And that means understanding what's gone wrong."

He isolates the problems well; lack of control, lack of responsibility, social breakdown and proposes the answer, "redistribution of power".
A redistribution:

"From the state to citizens; from the government to parliament; from Whitehall to communities.

From Brussels to Britain; from judges to the people; from bureaucracy to democracy.

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."

But through which framework is that power to be redistributed?
Ah, this is where it gets all a bit airy-fairy:

"We should start by pushing political power down as far as possible, wherever possible.

Could we let individuals, neighbourhoods and communities take control?

How far can we push power down?"

Rhetorical question I think.

"But it's not always possible to give power back to individuals, and in those cases, we need to do the next best thing: redistributing power to neighbourhoods and local government."

Bypassing the unmentioned three Toy parliaments in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh?
It’s not specified, although it would seem local government is going to get a lot of new powers:

"Of course we can trust them with more power and control."

Hmmm...

Regarding reform at Westminster:

1. The number of MPs will also be reduced by 10%

2. Select Committee Chairmen and members should be elected by backbenchers, not appointed by Whips.

3. Limit in the use of the Royal Prerogative

4. A "strong" Speaker.

5. Transparency

6. Limits on the number of political advisers

7. Strengthening of the Ministerial Code

8. Protection of the independence of the Civil Service

9. Fixed-term parliaments (or at least to be considered)

10. More collegial decisions at Cabinet level.


But no proportional representation at General Elections because:

"Proportional representation takes power away from the man and woman in the street and hands it to the political elites.

Instead of voters choosing their government on the basis of the manifestos and leadership put before them in an election campaign...

...party managers would choose a government on the basis of secret backroom deals."

Not necessarily, but apart from that, nothing much else to argue with there.

Predictably, the EU also takes a polite kicking; not so predictably so do the judges, or at least those non-accountable judges working under the strictures of the Human Rights Act "increasingly making our laws".

"The EU and the judges - neither of them accountable to British citizens - have taken too much power over issues that are contested aspects of public policy...

...and which should therefore be settled in the realm of democratic politics."

Indeed.
So, referendum on Lisbon and "a British Bill of Rights to strengthen our liberties, spell out the extent and limit of rights more clearly, and ensure proper democratic accountability over the creation of any new rights".
A British Bill of Rights for British citizens- that’ll do for me and once it’s passed the McWilliams' Clique’s ridiculous Wish List can sail away dishonourably up the Swanee.

Rest of speech, not much really...transparency, expenses, opening up politics although "Open primaries for parliamentary candidates" which pops up in the "Conclusion" is an intriguing prospect.

My own conclusion is if he achieves half of what he’s attempting to, then he will have truly revolutionised politics in the UK. Two things will stop him achieving 100% though; as Iain Dale mentioned, the forces of conservatism, small "c". The second is apathy from Mr and Mrs Joe Public, on whose behalf DC is putting himself out here. At this moment, Oliver Cromwell and the new Model Army would get a shoo-in if they were to stand at an immediate General Election. Give it a couple of months and we'll be back to "Business as Usual"- political rage and activism will be back in the hands of the OAP busy-bodies, Disgruntled of Tunbridge, the obsessives, the nutters and er...bloggers.


Chekov has more here.