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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.
People and Topics
Unanswered Questions
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@ 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?
All 'Electoral' Panel (Click to show)
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@ All 'Electoral' Panel
AV+ is sometimes touted as a compromise option between our current system and PR. However, I feel it would only create tensions or logistic difficulties between the two types of MPs - those who are linked... Show more »AV+ is sometimes touted as a compromise option between our current system and PR. However, I feel it would only create tensions or logistic difficulties between the two types of MPs - those who are linked to a constituency, and others who have been selected from a top-up list. Are these problems avoidable? Show less »
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@ All 'Electoral' Panel
Lib Dems support PR, a system that would win them more seats. Meanwhile David Cameron has previously proposed redrawing constituency boundaries and reducing the amount of MPs - which would both make... Show more »Lib Dems support PR, a system that would win them more seats. Meanwhile David Cameron has previously proposed redrawing constituency boundaries and reducing the amount of MPs - which would both make it easier to achieve a Conservative majority. Do parties really care about representation or are they just interested in political survival? Show less »
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@ All 'Electoral' Panel
What do you think of Jonathan Isaby's suggestion that electoral reform will 'institutionalise hung parliaments' ?
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@ All 'Electoral' Panel
Do you think that this government will last the full 5 years?
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@ All 'Electoral' Panel
Is a change to our voting system for parliamentary elections now inevitable or are there enough MPs that would vote against it?
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Douglas Carswell (Click to show)
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@ Douglas Carswell
Contrary to what it says above, Wikipedia says that you were the 'only' Conservative MP to advocate PR. Is this correct? And are you disappointed that you have been overlooked for a ministerial role?
Answered by Douglas Carswell
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@ Douglas Carswell
You recently asked readers of your blog to help you choose David Cameron's first Prime Minister's Question, which was subsequently on House of Lords reform. Did you select this question yourself or was... Show more »You recently asked readers of your blog to help you choose David Cameron's first Prime Minister's Question, which was subsequently on House of Lords reform. Did you select this question yourself or was it actually the most popular suggestion you received from your readers? Show less »
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@ Douglas Carswell
Do you expect to see any major new parties formed in the next 10 years?
Answered by Douglas Carswell
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Peter Bottomley (Click to show)
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@ Peter Bottomley
Dear Mr Bottomley
In your opinion, how on earth can we stop the frozen state pension unfairness? Courts do not understand the issue and even judges in the ECHR do not understand. Around the world there... Show more »Dear Mr Bottomley
In your opinion, how on earth can we stop the frozen state pension unfairness? Courts do not understand the issue and even judges in the ECHR do not understand. Around the world there are British state pensioners in their eighties and nineties who have lost heart and faith in the UK system, as I have, although I am back in the UK with my pension re-instated. Writing letters for over seven years, I have got nowhere. Others have been battlibng for longer. The NIF would cover fully indexed pensions but is used as if it is a general tax and not as an insurance contribution. Some disillusioned OAPs in, for example, Australia, await your advice! Show less »
Answered by Peter Bottomley
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@ Peter Bottomley
Do you feel that you are swimming against the tide of public opinion in advocating first-past-the-post.,
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@ Peter Bottomley
Your new Lib Dem colleagues are asking you to compromise your views on electoral reform. Is this a price you are prepared to pay for their support in Government?
Answered by Peter Bottomley
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Peter Facey (Click to show)
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@ Peter Facey
Are your calls for a 'Citizen's Convention' realistic? Are there any countries where there is a model for this working?
Answered by Peter Facey
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@ Peter Facey
Between the House of Commons, House of Lords, Council, Mayoral and devolved government elections - we could easily be forced to rely on four or five different voting systems in five years time. Doesn't... Show more »Between the House of Commons, House of Lords, Council, Mayoral and devolved government elections - we could easily be forced to rely on four or five different voting systems in five years time. Doesn't this jeopardise the public's understanding and participation in democracy? Show less »
Answered by Peter Facey
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@ Peter Facey
Will we ever really have a democracy when firstly, so few people actually go out and vote and secondly, when the wishes of those who do vote can be so easily ignored as was the case with the Iraq War?
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Sir Alan Beith (Click to show)
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@ Sir Alan Beith
What conclusions did you make whilst on the Constitutional Affairs Committee that Nick Clegg could do well to remember as he undertakes his task of reform?
Answered by Sir Alan Beith
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