if we want to reform the politics, why not reform it to be something that represents current political realities rather than a Lib Dem pet project?
For a start the PM is so powerful now, and people always complain the government does not have a "majority" or is not representative of the people. Though under our system you don't technically vote for government.
Giving the PM a "national seat" would allow people to vote for both who they want to form the government (reflected the now presidential style of PM, while retaining the link to Parliamentry democracy). This would mean people get 2 votes one for PM and 1 for who they wish to represent them at a General Election.
Secondly reform of the House of Lords. Provision should be made to award, give or allow people to apply for positions to be given based on someone's current salary range and job or type of area lived in. This would allow a panel to select people on low to mid incomes who have not become disconnected from the real world to help give direct input into policy. However people would only be allowed 1 term to stop them becoming disconnected from the rest of us.
Thirdly the most efficient countries, such as German and the US have tiers of Government, each constituent part within the UK should have it's own Parliament with powers on a par with a US state and each city region should have it's own Mayor and assembly like in London. Then the number of MP's and Lords at Westminster could be dramatically reduced to allow for the new political structures at a reduced cost.
But don't forget many aspects of democratic society have actually been protected by the Lords when the Commons would wish to do away with them, because the Lords do not have to pander to public opinon. This balance must in someway be retained if elected or not. Furthermore a democratic society exists and will only survive because of the desires and expectations of the people from the top to the bottom to have it and protect it.
For a start the PM is so powerful now, and people always complain the government does not have a "majority" or is not representative of the people. Though under our system you don't technically vote for government.
Giving the PM a "national seat" would allow people to vote for both who they want to form the government (reflected the now presidential style of PM, while retaining the link to Parliamentry democracy). This would mean people get 2 votes one for PM and 1 for who they wish to represent them at a General Election.
Secondly reform of the House of Lords. Provision should be made to award, give or allow people to apply for positions to be given based on someone's current salary range and job or type of area lived in. This would allow a panel to select people on low to mid incomes who have not become disconnected from the real world to help give direct input into policy. However people would only be allowed 1 term to stop them becoming disconnected from the rest of us.
Thirdly the most efficient countries, such as German and the US have tiers of Government, each constituent part within the UK should have it's own Parliament with powers on a par with a US state and each city region should have it's own Mayor and assembly like in London. Then the number of MP's and Lords at Westminster could be dramatically reduced to allow for the new political structures at a reduced cost.
But don't forget many aspects of democratic society have actually been protected by the Lords when the Commons would wish to do away with them, because the Lords do not have to pander to public opinon. This balance must in someway be retained if elected or not. Furthermore a democratic society exists and will only survive because of the desires and expectations of the people from the top to the bottom to have it and protect it.