Dakers welcomes 'Power Inquiry' reform proposals

12.00.00am GMT Mon 27th Feb 2006

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, has welcomed The Power Report as timely and important

The Power Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy, says voters feel they have little influence over decisions affecting their lives. The inquiry's Power to the People report has been funded by the Rowntree Foundation to mark its centenary and has considered 1500 submissions during the 12-month inquiry. Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, has welcomed The Power Report as timely and important.

Key findings include:

• Shift in control from ministers to parliament and from central to local government

• Donations on political parties to be capped at £10,000

• A "voter vouchers" system, where individuals indicate if they wish to allocate £3 of state funding to a particular party

• Voters given the chance to put forward laws

• The voting age, and the minimum age where people can stand for Parliament, to be reduced to 16

• A 70%-elected House of Lords

• Monthly logs to monitor ministerial contact with companies, lobbyists and pressure groups

• Restrictions on the powers of party whips

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth:

"The Power Report is timely, welcome and important. British democracy is in crisis whatever the Government pretends. Many of the reforms proposed have already been fully endorsed by Liberal Democrat conference, including giving those aged 16 and 17 the right to vote.

"Most voters feel ignored and that they have no influence. For example, confidence is not increased by the feeble response to date by Hounslow Council to serious concerns raised by John Turner's report into the way the General election was run last year in Hounslow.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to push for fairer parliamentary representation and greater Government accountability. "

Related Links:

Power Inquiry website

John Turner's Independent Report