Paper from James Paton
Just signed up and have some initial thoughts.
These are not mutually exclusive and should be treated as a package
of measures that would free up government and move us away from
bad management and short termism (the very British diseases) and
a political culture based on blame.
SELECT COMMITTEE
WORK
Move select committee hearings around the country
and advertise them as meetings held in public.
Broadcast edited highlights on BBC 1 as a standard
part of the news. Rationale—if you don't mainstream this
work in the same way that PMQs is people will never know how parliament
really works. BBC Parliament is too "hidden" and is
only digitally available.
HOUSE OF
LORDS REFORM
On the basis of a second chamber comprising
half the number of members than the House of Commons say 300-350
maximum.
75% (225) elected by PR and the rest (125) selected
for a five year term following Nolan procedure selection/interview
following peer (not Peer) nomination from national stakeholders
eg BME networks, disability groups, CBI, Federation of Small Business,
cultural sector (Equity/musicians union/tv/theatre/film producers)
of Women's Institute, RSPB, CPRE, LGA, TUC, faith communities,
National Youth Parliament illumni, European Youth Parliament UK
illumni, University Vice-Chancellors, regional assemblies, etc.
ODPM AND GOVERNMENT
If ODPM and Government really believed in enhancing
democracy they would be more determined in their efforts for directly
elected assemblies in the NE, NW and Yorkshire and Humber. Irrespective
of the results in the possible referendums at the end of the year,
Government could under Chapter 2 arrangements in the White Paper
"Your Region, Your Choice" devolve significant powers,
not to Government Offices in the regions, but to the current regional
chambers (assemblies), which have a large degree of indirect democratic
legitimacy, beyond the ballot box, because of their inclusively.
If only the same bravery that took us into the second Gulf War,
and in international affairs generally, could be applied and exercised
in domestic affairs and allow people to take and exercise more
responsibility, people would become engaged and at the same time
can no longer blame central Government.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Halve the number of councillors but salary them
to be professional decision-makers. Again another brave step but
would enable local government to develop professional leadership
and decision-making. Also ensure all out elections every five
years instead of this ludicrous rolling programme of elections
in English local government that leads to instability and bad
decision-making. Do the current arrangements that allow central
government to blame local government, and vice-veras, suit the
politicians at the expense of the people and good-decision making?
March 2004
|
