Direct, open conversation with public figures - for everyone with a question to raise

Electoral Reform

Ask Douglas Carswell, Sir Alan Beith, Peter Facey and Peter Bottomley or put questions to the whole panel.

For years, the Liberal Democrats and their supporters have placed electoral reform at the centre of their campaign platform. Now, thanks to an election that ushered them into the corridors of power, via a coalition with the Conservatives, they can finally try to practice what they preach.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been given the task of overseeing the government's political reform plans including the introduction of an elected House of Lords, decided by the voting system favoured by the majority of Lib Dems - proportional representation.

Changes to the House of Commons are also on the agenda. Voter powers to 'recall' corrupt MPs will give the public new ways to hold their MPs to account, whilst a change in the constitution that now means 55% of MPs would have to back a dissolution of Parliament for it to happen has already led to some criticism.

The biggest potential reforms will meet the largest obstacles. David Cameron has called for a reduction in the number of MPs and for boundaries to be redrawn to equalise constituency sizes. The argument over Britain's 'first-past-the-post' system of electing MPs will also be debated, with Alternative Vote or AV+ both possible alternatives.

Perhaps the arrival of the Lib Dems in Government will mean real political reform is now a distinct possibility.

Answering your questions on political reform is our panel of electoral reform campaigners and MPs from the coalition.

Douglas Carswell MP - One of the few Conservative MPs to openly advocate proportional representation and who opened David Cameron's first PMQ session as PM with a question on reforming the House of Lords.

Sir Alan Beith MP - Long-serving and highly respected Liberal Democrat who has previously chaired the Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Peter Facey - Founder of the Unlock Democracy campaign, whose aims are a 'proportional, open electoral system'.

Peter Bottomley - Long-serving Conservative MP for Worthing West who is an opponent of voting reform and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Continuation of First Past the Post.

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Unanswered Questions

  • @ Peter Bottomley

    Dear Peter, you are clearly a keen cyclist. However, can you confirm or deny that your parliamentary documents are being transported in a car behind you out of shot?

    Submitted by: StevenG | 10 votes for this..

    0 comments | Topic: Politics | Report | Bookmark and Share