Calls for radical change
‘Senior figures in the Labour party are moving towards a consensus on the need to accept voting reform as part of a radical change in the political system.’ – David Hencke, The Guardian
‘I fear that the longer-term consequence of this saga will be rotting
schools, useless hospitals and squalid trains, which is one reason why
constitutional reform becomes more important.’ – Steve Richards, The Independent
‘As Nick Anstead and I argued in The Change We Need: What Britain Can
Learn from Obama’s Victory, a move towards open primaries, “would
encourage exceptional individuals who have a background in broader
public service and share Labour’s values to step forward and seek
office.”’ – Will Straw, Liberal Conspiracy
‘The grubby, self-inflicted disrepute into which parliament has fallen demands not just cleansing MPs’ expenses of duck islands, luxury lifestyle items and second home “flipping”, but wholesale constitutional reform. There is a yawning democratic deficit and we need to create a politics which is genuinely pluralist and empowering.’ – Peter Hain, The Guardian
‘I am totally in favour of reform – but it must be reform that changes the nature of British politics, not simply the makeup or operation of parliament.’ – David Blunkett, The Guardian
MPs’ expenses
‘Veteran Tory MP Bill Cash reportedly claimed £15,000 in expenses to rent a flat from his daughter, despite owning one which was closer to Parliament.’ – BBC
‘Yet there is a broader context to this scandal that ought to be recognised. Although Ms Moran and Ms Kirkbride – and many other MPs – have acted foolishly the hysterical tone in which this debate is being conducted has become unhealthy for our democracy.’ – Leader, The Independent
Economic optimism
‘House prices rose by 1.2% in May as the annual rate of decline improved dramatically, raising hopes of a recovery in the property market.’ – Sky News
‘More than 35,000 new cars have been ordered through the UK’s scrappage scheme since it was announced in April, government figures show.’ – BBC