A chance for radical reform
‘Plans to reform the voting system put forward by Alan Johnson are receiving growing support in Cabinet and could be included in the next Labour manifesto, The Times has learnt.’ – Sam Coates, The Times
‘Alan Johnson’s call for a referendum on electoral reform will increase pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a general election before his lease on power runs out.’ – Francis Elliott, The Times
‘A second cabinet minister has urged Gordon Brown to hold a referendum on electoral reform to regain the political initiative.
John Denham said designing a system in which “every vote counts” would help rebuild the trust between MPs and their electors following the expenses scandal.’ – Nigel Morris, The Independent
‘The former deputy leader of the Labour party, Roy Hattersley, has revised his decades-old opposition to electoral reform to call for a switch to proportional representation in the UK voting system.’ – Patrick Wintour and Allegra Stratton, The Guardian
‘It’s hard to believe. Yet it’s obviously true. When so many Tory MPs have become hate figures, for their moats, duck houses, vast expenses, homeflipping and outraged arrogance, the Westminster sleaze row is playing hugely to the Conservatives’ benefit, and looks like plunging Labour into final meltdown.’ – Jackie Ashley, The Guardian
MPs’ expenses row continues
‘Nick Wood, a former Conservative spin doctor has been paid tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money by the party’s MPs — including Iain Duncan Smith, the former leader — from their office expenses.’ – Christopher Hope, Holly Watt and Jon Swaine, Daily Telegraph
‘Apart from Nicholas and Ann Winterton, four other Conservative MPs, two Labour MPs and the Speaker have announced that they will stand down since details of MPs’ expenses were made public. No Liberal Democrat MPs have said they will go, although Lord Rennard, the party’s chief executive, is stepping down on health grounds after questions were raised about his claims.’ – Sam Coates, The Times
Aung San Suu Kyi on trial
‘Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has told a court she did not break the terms of her house arrest when a US man visited her lakeside home.’ – BBC