Newsletter: Liberal agenda 2020 – and electoral reform
Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform (LDER) are currently focused on ensuring electoral reform is re-cemented as a key element of the party's liberal philosophy and values; and as a key policy for the future.
We have submitted two contributions to the party's current reviews: one on governance and the main one on Agenda 2020, where we are calling for:
- the role of a fair electoral system in empowering the individual and ensuring all votes count equally;
- a Constitutional Convention to explore the shortcomings of the current system; what sort of democracy people want; and what is the best new system to deliver that improved democracy
- continue to press for local government reform in England and Wales
- advocate an elected (ideally fully elected, but at least majority elected) House of Lords, to replace the current over-large appointed house. Learning from last time, a reform package would need to define the role of a renewed Lords in relation to the Commons.
We'll continue the dialogue with the party leadership to get our policies properly prioritized.
We are also evaluating approaches to, with a view to collaborating with, other pro-reform parties.
Enfranchising 16 year-olds - we tried
Congratulations to our peers, who were instrumental in defeating the Government in a vote which was set to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the upcoming EU referendum. We usually think of electoral reform in terms of voting systems, but further democratizing the franchise is also a crucial progressive steps. The decision was of course ultimately overturned in the Commons but at least the argument has been made and the issue discussed. Next time…
Over in Canada
The Liberals' stunning October victory in Canada has ushered in new hope for electoral reform. A manifesto commitment is to set up an all-party committee to make legislative recommendations within 18 months on the conduct of elections. Premier Trudeau is known to back 'ranked ballots' (preferential/STV voting to us). Needless to say, sceptics are now questioning whether reform will happen… watch this space.
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