An intriguing set-up in today’s Indpendent, as all three of the main party leaders write articles on the need for political reform. The result, though, is a little underwhelming. Despite some differences in tone and emphasis – Brown bangs on about Bills and committees; Cameron talks about strengthening Parliament; and Clegg dwells on party funding – the three declarations are marked by their rheotical similarity to one another. Take, for instance, one of the central points that each makes:
Gordon Brown: “We will shortly publish proposals which reform the Commons and put more power where it belongs – in the people’s hands. There is no option I will not consider if it redistributes power.” David Cameron: “Meaningful reform must start with a simple, single objective. The Conservative Party’s objective is this: to redistribute power from the powerful to the powerless.”
Nick Clegg: “Finally, we must restore democracy by giving power back to people.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that the parties hold the same positions in reality. And I still think that the Tory leader has handled this crisis better than either of his opponents. But these articles show just how easily the debate could reduce into a series of easy, amorphous platitudes. As I said yesterday, there’s room for a party to distinguish itself by setting out all the options, clearly and concisely, and by involving the public more closely in any decisions.
Comments