The results of the 2010 UK General Election, and the mismatch between votes cast and parliamentary seats won, has drawn increased attention to the operation of the UK voting system. Critics, predominantly but not exclusively from the Liberal Democrats and other minority parties, have increasingly challenged the traditional First Past the Post system, demanding its replacement by some form of Proportional Representation (PR).
Now, the new Lib Dem/Conservative coalition has pledged a referendum on the introduction of one form of PR - the Alternative Vote system - although the Conservatives are likely to campaign against AV.
However, this is only one of many aspects of constitutional reform requiring the attention of the new government. Some arise from weaknesses exposed by the Expenses Scandal of the last Parliament. Others, of far reaching significance, result from uncompleted electoral and constitutional reforms initiated by the outgoing Labour Government, or the unintended consequences of earlier ill-thought-through changes.
Despite pressing economic problems, it's unlikely that the new Government will be able to put Constitutional issues on the back burner.
Parliamentary Reform
There are many areas where the performance and practices of the both Houses of Parliament are seen to be unsatisfactory. Both Parties' Manifestos largely agree on the issues to be resolved, but not necessarily on the solutions. They include:
- MPs' and Lords' salaries and expenses.
- MPs' outside interests, and hence their role as full time politicians or representatives with a wider community view.
- The ability of MPs to scrutinise legislation and hold the Government to account.
- The ability of voters to "recall" MPs of whose performance they disapprove. Promised by the conservatives.'
- Fixed term Parliaments. This has been promised by the new Coalition Government, but Constitutional experts such as Professor Anthony King question how it can work within the British Parliamentary system.
- The number of House of Commons MPs.
Electoral Reform
At present Proportional Representation heads the agenda. However, the current First Past the Post system, despite its acknowledged weaknesses and the opposition of the Liberal democrats, has strong support in both major Parties. The high probability of hung Parliaments and coalition government with most forms of PR may prove unattractive to voters.
More about different voting systems, and how the Alternative Vote and the Single Transferable Vote might operate in the UK.
Even if PR is rejected, other major weaknesses in the current electoral and voting system will demand attention:
- The unequal size of the electorate in different parliamentary constituencies is a primary cause of the imbalance between votes cast and seats. and in particular the over representation of Scotland.
- The integrity of the voting system. Attempts to persuade more people to vote by making registration and voting easier, and in particular easier postal voting, appear to have increased the opportunity for electoral fraud. Foreign observers even questioned the integrity of the result in some constituencies.
Other issues which may require consideration are:
- Reducing the minimum voting age.
- Votes for prisoners serving gaol sentences if a recent European Court ruling is accepted.
House of Lords Reform
The outgoing Government went part-way to the removal of Hereditary Peers, but failed to achieve a consensus for the comprehensive reform of the House of Lords which has been outstanding for the past century. Cross Party agreement will be needed to achieve:
- The final removal of the Hereditary Peers.
- The composition and form of election or nomination for members of the reformed upper chamber. Both coalition partners support a largely or fully elected House.
- The tenure of members.
- The role and powers of the reformed chamber in relation to the House of Commons and Government.
More about House of Lords reform.
Devolution in Scotland wales and Northern Ireland
The process of devolving powers to the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland has left many important and urgent questions unanswered. Both coalition Parties are committed to address them and are in broad agreement.
- The first and most important of these is the West Lothian question: why should Scots, Welsh and Irish members be empowered to vote at Westminster on matters affecting the governance of England, when their English counterparts have no such powers within the areas of devolved government?
- Should this be resolved by restricting the powers of non English MPs at Westminster, or by creating and additional, English, devolved government?
- Should the disproportionately high present level of funding to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland continue?
- Should the additional powers demanded by the Scottish and Welsh Assemblies be granted?
Regional and Local Government Reform
Regional and Local Government is in a state of flux at present. Many very important decisions are needed on:
- The future of Regional Government, and in particular of the unelected English Regional Assemblies created by the last Government. The Conservatives vow to scrap them and the Lib Dems broadly agree.
- The introduction of new Unitary Authorities in England - on the verge of introduction, but opposed by the Conservatives.
- The powers of Local Government, particularly in the light of Conservative pledges on the control of Police, Schools and a general devolution of power to local communities.
- Local government funding. There is widespread dissatisfaction with the present system, but no obvious solution. Dissatisfaction is likely to increase with the inevitable funding pressures arising from the current economic situation. The Liberal Democrats would like to replace the Council Tax.
Cutting the Quangos
Last but not least the number of unelected and unaccountable bodies exercising quasi-governmental powers has caused widespread public concern. The Conservative Manifesto promised a "bonfire of the Quangos", but they are supported by many special interest groups, and the Liberal democrats may not share the Conservative fervour.
Conclusion
This is a daunting list. Together the changes contemplated could transform British political life. Too often reforms are pursued for partisan advantage or thwarted by failure to reach cross-party consensus.
Paradoxically the hung Parliament and the consequent Lib Dem /Conservative Coalition may be better fitted to achieve decisive reforms than would any single Party.
But all this ignores the ultimate constitutional dilemma, and the one on which Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are most deeply divided, the elephant in the room - Europe.
Sources
The Conservative Party Manifesto.
The Liberal Democrat Party Manifesto.
The BBC News Page.
Tony Allen - In 2004 I began my "fourth career" as a freelance writer. In my first career, after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, I ...
