A litmus test for Cameron's leadership?
Peter Hoskin 11:18am
Iain Dale flags up a letter in today’s Telegraph written by 27 of the 2005 intake of Tory MPs. They’re asking for the sanctions that MPs face to be tightened, and even suggest the introduction of US-style recall mechanisms:
"...we do think that consideration should be given to creating a recall mechanism, similar to that used in some US states, to enable constituents to vote on whether they remove their MP during the course of a Parliament.
For example, in California in 2003, a petition was organised calling for the recall of the governor, Gray Davis. Once it was established that a sufficient number of electors had signed the petition, a ballot was held on whether Davis should be recalled. That ballot succeeded, and Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected to replace him......a mechanism of this sort used in exceptional circumstances would increase MPs' accountability, address some of the frustration felt by a disenchanted public and help restore trust in our democratic institutions."
Dale regards it as a defiant message to the Conservative old guard; and it also fits in neatly with the anti-Westminster/pro-the-people approach that Cameron peddled in PMQs, and which Guido picked-up on so superbly yesterday.
It’s a brave move for the Tories. If everything goes according to plan, the new approach could reinvigorate politics in this country (and be a huge vote-winner in the process). Alternatively, it might prompt a very public split between the Tories’ tie-less young Turks and their silver-haired forebears (which could well turn the voters away).
Will the Cameroons' "new politics" rouse the slumbering dragons? It’s a question that’s gained even more relevance after Lord Tebbit’s letter to the Spectator this week. And the answer should be a good litmus test for the strength of Cameron’s grip on his party.
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Comments
Mark
February 29th, 2008 12:45pmThis should be Camerons's clause 4 moment, to mark a decisive break from the conservatives past sleaze and show a willingness to make deep reforms.
Faceless Bureaucrat
February 29th, 2008 12:50pmGreat idea, great timing - where do I sign?.....
Puncheon
February 29th, 2008 2:42pmExcellent idea. We should also adopt the USA rule of not allowing any single person to occupy the highest elected office more than twice - everyone knows that PMs lose their marbles after about 8 yeras in office and some much earlier than that. We should also have a minumum age of 30 for MPs to stop this little scam of: school, university, research assistant, MP/MEP, which allows politicians to by-pass the real world completely.
Verity
February 29th, 2008 3:26pmWell said, Puncheon! I'd make 32 the minimum age. Ten years experience in the world they seek to govern. Indeed,some of them may prove so successful in the real world, they may chose to forget their youth ambition of politics entirely - or postpone it for another decade or so. This would keep them out of the corrupt loop that runs the joint at present.
Ian C
February 29th, 2008 4:27pmIt would not invigoarate British Ppolitics on its own but would send a welcome message and contribute to the process.
TrevorH
February 29th, 2008 4:39pmMore dreary nonesense from commentators, it makes me ashamed to be right wing ! Cameron should ignore it. Sensible rules sensibly applied is what we need. Plus sensible pension arrangements. All as previously set out. The 2 term rule came about after Roosevelt won his 4th term. The power of the incumbent was deemed too great, Not that they were going insane. There is nothing to stop Senators being re-elected, sometimes even if they are suspiciously brain dead. But the US system is completely different to ours. Davies in California was recalled because of policy not his expenses. He stood again and lost. Are you saying an MP who is deemed guilty of fraud/misconduct should re-stand? Where is the logic in this? Its easy to see how a campaign could be whipped up against some one in the UK. Easy to resist for someone in a rock solid majority, but how about someone in a marginal? The opportunities for mischief are endless and the problems for someone who wishes to take an unpopular decision going against the mainstream are obvious. The area where this might work are in the cases of our all too powerful and unacountable mayors. Red Ken is an obvious target - but his lack of accountability was built into the system by Labour. It is a plain daft proposal to hold MPs to this sort of 'accountability'. They have enough to put up with coping with the tyranny of the whips.
TrevorH
February 29th, 2008 4:46pmWill all the anti-MP right wing bloggers (I have no interst in the left wing ones) publish their darling John Redwoods take on this? http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/02/29/what-should-we-pay-mps/ The current fiasco is a direct result of not facing up to the pay question properly and shovelling it away under the carpet called 'allowances'.
David Lindsay
February 29th, 2008 5:30pmThe House can already expel a Member, and it is not the fault of the rest of us if it never does so in practice. Who is to pay for these by-elections? And why should a House of Commons Committee have the power to impose one on a constituency? That last would not in fact be a recall at all.
David Parker
February 29th, 2008 6:30pmTrevorH, Yes, I see what you mean! If this measure were to be strictly applied, we would almost be without a Cabinet, or, perhaps, in a state of suspended contamination! Of course, anyone in public life may vulnerable to malicious or misguided attacks upon their integrity, however, this does not mean that they should not be subject to proper investigation and interrogation , hopefully usually, leading to their vindication. Equally, as in real life, they should also be subject to the prospect of final dismissal, whether for idleness, gross incompetence or dishonesty, as they would be in other occupations.
mike
February 29th, 2008 6:34pmThe guy does have an incredibly shiny face.Does the panel feel that an incredibly shiny face is an advantage in politics ?
Danielle
February 29th, 2008 6:51pmThe recall mechanism is a fantastic idea as I believe would be offering referendum on more issues. Most people feel so far removed from westminster parlimentary politics that is why APATHY is the largest political party in the UK.