Politics

30 May 2009

James Forsyth reviews the week in politics

Then there is Ken Clarke. Back when he was merely head of Cameron’s democracy task force, Clarke called Cameron’s proposal for dealing with the problems caused by the Human Rights Act ‘xenophobic and legal nonsense’. He is also, of course, an advocate of a transfer of power from Britain to Brussels.

But this crisis provides Cameron with an opportunity. There is a general acceptance of the need for change. The question is who will provide the change and how radical will it be. Alan Johnson’s suggestion that we dust off the Jenkins report on electoral reform at Westminster might have allowed him skilfully to put down a marker for the Labour leadership. But it hardly seems an adequate response to the public’s rage at our whole political system. Cameron is the politician offering the most far-reaching agenda, one that by restoring accountability could restore faith in politics. The Tory pragmatist has realised that politicians now have to share power or lose it.

If Cameron follows through, the changes he proposed on Tuesday will be his legacy. Labour will have to accept them, as it had to accept Thatcher’s economic and trade union reforms, before it can win again.

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Alan Moss

May 29th, 2009 9:51pm Report this comment

Johnson proposing a PR system is pathetic. Twelve years ago Labour wanted this when their chances ever being elected with a majority looked slim. They were doing deals with the LibDems then. It soon got put on the back burner when they were elected. Now it seems sure they are heading for a berth at the side of the Titanic they dredge this up again as a great reform. We don't need much "reform" what we need is honest politicians unencumbered by the almighty party machine. Give MP's their consciences back. We don't need any reforms except reformed MP’s. You can be sure that for all the fine words the hidden effect of any “reforms” will be to reduce what precious little we have left of our democracy.

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