Less whipping?  There should be no whipping!  Parliament should be independent of the executive.  Why is the subject of a presidential system, or other separation of the institutions never on the agenda?

Limit the use of the Royal Prerogative?  There should be no such thing as the Royal Prerogative.  We need to establish once and for all the principle that power derives from the people and it is their consent that is needed to govern, and their consent can be withdrawn at any time.

Fixed-term Parliaments?  Leaving aside the hypocrisy of this given his calls for an immediate general election, this solution is as bad as the problem.  Better would be holding elections 2 or 3 times a year, putting up a proportion of seats at each, similar to council elections, but more frequent.  This would make governments continuously accountable, while allowing more focus on local issues and individual candidates.  It would also give MPs more independence from the parties.

Nick Clegg's ideas are no better.  Proportional representation is no answer in itself.  Experience elsewhere shows that P-R in a wholly parliamentary system is a recipe for weak, unaccountable government.  It has far more merit when there are separate elections for the executive, so that we have both strong, accountable government and a truly representative legislature.

Lords reform, again, poorly thought out.  There is no reason to think that just making the upper house elected will improve things.  We don't want more professional politicians and we don't want the same party influence.  The status quo won't do, but so far, there has been too little thought put into what is needed and what will deliver. Personally I think something akin to a party list system, but without parties would be best.  I.e. charities, pressure-groups, religious organisations would nominate members in the upper house for a fixed term, in proportion to preferences registered by the electorate.

And, as usual, we have to wait for Gordon Brown's proposals.  He's been talking about reform longer than anyone else, but still has no firm proposals.

It seems clear that there is chronic need for democratic reform, but it is equally as clear that we cannot leave it to politicians to deliver it.

Steve.Dillon@SackTheParties.org.uk

Postscipt (11/06/2009)

Again, Gordon Brown promises consultations and grand plans, but no substance, no likelihood of anything capable of delivery in what is left of his premiership.