Charter 88 (now part of Unlock Democracy) has released the book ‘Unlocking Democracy’ in commemoration of it’s 20th anniversary. Nick Clegg MP joined Ferdinand Mount and Helena Kennedy QC in speaking at it’s launch on Tuesday, and Guy Aitchison has blogged the evening on OurKingdom.
Both Nick Clegg and Guy strike a cautiously optimistic note, saying that while we have fewer liberties than we have in a long time, the current economic crisis could be a catalyst for change and an opportunity to re-define liberty – beginning with the Convention.
Once again we need a re-balancing of powers, see the Putney Debates and the Levellers’ papers of the 1640’s.
Through the 19th century, and accelerating through the 20th century, the executive, the “King,” has again taken power from the legislature and from the judiciary.
Regulation applied by executive administrators has usurped the rule of law applied by judges.
Parliament has been suborned by the “payroll.” Of the majority party in the House of Commons most members are on, or hope to be on, the Executive, the “payroll.” The main opposition party is their mirror image. It is not surprising that the few “Parliament Men” that remain are the most respected members of the House of Commons.
“Follow the money” is usually sound advice. The House of Commons should re-assert power over the people’s money; should take one first small step to start again to control an over-mighty executive, “King.” Bloodshed is not necessary in the 21st century.
The size of the “payroll” must be limited to a Prime Minister, a Second Lord of the Treasury or Chancellor and four other Secretaries of State and twenty five Ministers. This total of thirty one is less than ten percent of a majority party in the House of Commons and accords with good organisation and administration practice.
At the same time the power and authority of parliament must be seen to be re-instated. The Speaker, the Chairmen of Select Committees, and the MP Officers of Committees should be paid marginally more than their executive colleagues: the Prime Minister, the Secretaries of State, and the Ministers.
The levels of remuneration would be set for a parliament in party manifestos at each general election.
From this small start we, the people, would regain our liberty, our power and our responsibility.
Seems like a reasonable approach to me as I dash to work.
Less would be good, provided it was with people who could and would be prepared to act for the people. Every time I’ve tried to get an elected political representation for any issue that I have pursued, the man – and it always has been a man – never responded adequately. My MPs have always left me with a pathetic unhelpful response to my difficulty – or else just ignored what I said. It seemed that his staff only wanted him to spend time on quick and easy fixes and not complicated problems that required intelligent and thought through solutions. Unhelpful responses by the back room “girls” – and they usually have been – should be prevented by making more leaders accountable personally for responding appropriately to situations and problem solving. At school level too, it would be helpful if Heads or their deputies started to decide who to recruit once again, instead of leaving the responsibility up to their secretaries, who just call an agency in these days. It reflects the common attitude that ensures that MPs also don’t do their jobs themselves in a responsible way. Leaving all key decisions and actions up to others, and then wriggling out from taking the blame when things go wrong under agent management.
Tony Blair established a Number 10 Petitions website. I think Mr Brown finds this initiative uncomfortable.
A petition I submitted on the lines of my earlier posting here was rejected on the grounds that it was:
“Outside the remit or powers of the Prime Minister and Government.”
And there was I thinking that the Prime Minister and the Government could submit legislation to, or have a debate in, Parliament.
Well Number 10 has now accepted a censored, redacted, version of the petition under the title Lord Acton. Please visit it, sign it and pass it on to your friends:
Go to: www. number10. gov. uk and link to petitions and LordActon
Or search http://www.petitions.number10.gov.uk for LordActon