Your blogs: Democratic excellence can only come from the people

Bill Givens: I got involved in the POWER2010 movement because I supported the original aims of the POWER Enquiry. The political events over the last 15 years or so under two different political parties in Government have shown that politics and democracy is too important to be left in the control of politicians. Sleaze, political spin, democratic erosion and self-serving MPs continually feature in media stories. This reveals the ongoing failure by elected representatives to abide by high standards in public life and to respect the wishes of the electorate.

Political reform is vital to provide a bedrock to address the challenges that will face our nation in the coming years. Political reform is not rocket science and it can be achieved quite quickly if politicians respond to the will of the majority. This would be in terms of genuine commitment to serving the people, planning for that purpose, quickly actioning that reform and putting systems in place using the technology available to consult with and be evaluated by the people.

Democratic Excellence Key Aims 2009: To seek support for the implementation of:

1. An Electorate Approved Code of Conduct for MPs/Prospective MPs to endorse.

2. Electorate Approved Job Description for MPs. (TBA)

3. Constituency based consultations on local, national and international policies by surveys/web-site/text voting etc. (Using ‘The People's Vote' website or similar)

4. Constituency Development plans (Public Benefit aims) to be established in each constituency for MP to lead.

5. Periodic review of MPs performance against agreed standards, job description, policies and targets. (‘The People's Vote' website)

6. A facility introduced to consider in specified circumstances proposed removal of serving MP from office via:

(a) Independent scrutiny board review re: serious breach of MP code or:
(b) Serious ongoing failure to fulfil MP duties as decided by constituency electorate/ democratic consensus.

7. Four year fixed terms for Parliament to be sought.

8. MP Professional Standards/Public Service Institute to be developed - subject to resources.
(Institute Of Political & Democratic Excellence - IPADE) ?.

9. Support for complete overhaul of MP expenses/benefits package and work scenario to reflect (a) normal arrangements for the rest of society and (b) the reasonable expectations of the people.

10. Implementation of more stringent restrictions on ex-MPs or ex-Ministers taking up paid positions in companies where the MPs had direct involvement/and or previous political influence to provide significant commercial benefit to those companies.

11. In respect of taxpayer funded visits overseas by Members to make available in the public domain full and detailed cost analysis, justification for those visits and resultant outcomes of the visits.

People should perhaps comment on my proposals and support/amend or or otherwise and suggest political innovations designed to achieve democratic excellence.

Over the coming days we'll be publishing the best of your blog posts saying why you support Power2010 and what changes you want to see to our political system. Submit your blog for Power2010 here.