Liberal Democrats to end Elective Dictatorship

2.00.00pm GMT Wed 21st Sep 2005

Tony Blair [© Crown Copyright 2005]

The UK suffers from an 'Elective Dictatorship' with a lack of proper checks on the power of Government, an unfair voting system and an increasing disengagement of the public from Parliament and political activity. In the recent General Election Labour were returned to Government on just over a third of the vote.

In order to remedy this the Liberal Democrats have passed a motion calling on the House of Commons to be elected by proportional representation, the House of Lords to be reformed with either a wholly or mainly elected membership. The motion also calls on powers exercised by the Government under Royal Prerogative, including going to war, to be subject to Parliamentary discussion and vote.