I just signed up to the Power 2010 Pledge. As the site says:
They are a people-powered grassroots campaign who are organising for change in the UK. Over 100,000 votes were cast to decide their priorities – and the five most popular are now the basis of the campaign: the POWER Pledge.
The campaign will take these ideas to every candidate from every party at the election – real grassroots change in action.
I was literally just listening to the radio and despairing once more at the state of politics in this country (for reference, it was hearing about Alistair Darling now briefing against his own party) when I got the email of the pledge through. When you sign up to the pledge, it asks for your reasons (you don’t have to give them), which I thought might form an interesting blog post. They’re a bit abbreviated as I am supposed to be going out, but wanted to get this done first. I encourage you to check it out and sign up!!
1) Introduce a proportional voting system.
I support PR very strongly. Secondary parties are unable to garner greater support because of the idea of the wasted vote, given that the election is so often considered to be a two horse race. With PR, it’s possible to vote for what you actually believe in, and also voice your compromises.
2) Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state.
ID cards and the database state are a terrible idea. We have seen so often how difficult it is for government officials to keep information secret and safe, and any system is only as strong as its weakest link. ID cards will do nothing to reduce terrorism or crime – any piece of hardware can and will be forged if the incentives are there. Identity theft becomes easier rather than harder. It’s defining an infrastructure for even greater interference in our day to day lives, which no government will be able to resist – particularly when the next terrorist event occurs, and they need to be “seen to be doing something”. And it’s a horrendous use of our money as well. Terrible idea.
3) Replace the House of Lords with an elected chamber.
I am conflicted on the idea of an elected chamber in the House of Lords. Whilst representation is important, the second chamber has been a force for good against various dubious legislative ideas. The benefits of a long term tenure and reduced political/party agenda is a huge boon for a review process. I am concerned that if we simply have another chamber that is elected, we could lose this maturity and insight.
4) Allow only English MPs to vote on English laws.
I am disheartened by the process of devolution, as I think we greatly risk reducing the strength of our Union. That being said, I think that there is a growing risk caused by the disparity between scottish (and to a lesser extent welsh) votiing powers, vs English powers. So with a heavy heart I support the idea of only English MPs voting for English Laws.
5) Draw up a written constitution.
A written constitution would be a very good thing, but I am worried that it will turn into a horrendous, committee driven tome that is impenetrable and impossible to support. If we nicked the American’s and just dropped the whole thing about bearing arms, it might work? In principle a sound idea, but the process does worry me …