Constitutional Reforms

In the spirit of reform, this week we will take a look at constitutional reform of which AV and even the referendum itself are a great part. In particular we will look at Professor Ringen's Agenda for Constitutional Reform. The Professor's is a three-point plan:

+ First, 'Restore the House of Commons'
+ Second, to 'Reinvent Local Democracy'
+ And thirdly, to 'Straighten Out Political Funding'

Professor Ringen's first action would be to 'Restore the House of Commons'. The UK displays an immense amount of centralisation, with oversight being marginalised. Oversight suffers criticism for slowing down political reforms or new legislation. However it can temper the mistakes that can be made when decisions are made cosseted away amongst allies and yes-men. The inner circles of central authority prevent adequate scientific critique of policies, shrouding decision-making from the gaze of those elected legislators whose job it is to scrutinize on our behalf. Oversight slows these processes down so that decision-makers must explain their proposals for us to consider.

There is some very persuasive evidence, such as the from Asch's experiments that suggest the way groups are managed can have a decisive affect upon the way it's members make decisions. Furthermore, any such dynamics can be reinforced by symbolic authority and enhanced through rituals & tradition (Milgram, 2010). For example Milgram showed the power of even simple symbols like the white coat and the influence they can have.

There are some examples already of oversight reforms. Already moves have been made to give the power of dissolution over to parliament (Deputy PM, July 2010). Further, the devolved parliaments and their governing powers stand as a fine example set by the Labour Party in reforming political power.

The Professor's second action, to 'Reinvent Local Democracy' will need politics to reinvigorate the population. This will mean no longer just reacting to disaffection and taking that to be the will of the people, as some such as the aforementioned Lord Newport have; instead stimulating the people to activity and engaging them.

Professor Ringen makes it clear that he thinks the current system is inadequate for the devolution of power. The devolution of power downwards is an idea that has started to take root in the UK; National Devolutions under Labour followed now by the delegation of powers to parliament and councils. These moves have been joined by others in pushing decision-making beyond the central forums. The referendum puts choices into the hands of people; pushing for greater community action removes the leash a little from local councils and even the debates sought to engage people with politics far more personally.

However none of these reforms will serve us well unless they help to clean up corruption. Professor Ringen suggests that :

'All political funding [be made] public. Ban all donations from individuals, businesses and unions and distribute public money as vouchers to voters for them to give to their party of choice or to throw away'

The Speaker Mr Bercow has so far put his foot down over any incidents in parliament. He has been very active in trying to improve the image of parliament, right from his first sitting as Speaker where Mr Bercow began his public image reform agenda:

'There is simply far too much noise. The public doesn't like it and neither do I.'

Since then parliament has been active in its attempts to be seen as reforming its public image, with former MPs being jailed for corruption (BBC, January & March 2011).

Whether any these reforms can be followed through will be a point on which the eventual success or failure of the coalition will be determined. It is not to be forgotten though that this reform process is one that began back during Labour's time in office. As Labour learned and as Professor Ringen stressed, reforms need public will behind it if not outright activism. Labour struggled to get their social reforms turned into activism but the Coalition is riding on the coattails of public outcry for change. Whether these policies and this activism can mesh and follow through, remains to be seen.

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References:
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+ S. Milgrim's 'Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View; Harper & Row, 2010.

+ 'Appendix 2: Letter from the Deputy Prime Minister to the Chair of the Committee'; July 2010; in Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - Political and Constitutional Reform Committee;

+ Speaker Bercow's First PMQs on YouTube;

+ BBC's 'MPs' expenses: David Chaytor jailed over false claims'; January 2011;

+ BBC's 'Former MP Jim Devine jailed for 16 months over expenses'; March 2011.