Constitutional and Governmental Reform
Fundamental changes are needed to make the governance of the United Kingdom more effective and resilient.
| The Peoples Party will: |
|---|
| consult to find the best way of introducing a directly elected head of state |
| establish a written constitution and an updated Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom |
| remove the rights of existing peers to sit in the House of Lords |
| create a second chamber of 100 Lords, elected by proportional representation, based on the votes received by political parties at the last general election |
| require the Lords to meet at venues outside London, travelling the country on a regular circuit to help increase awareness and engagement |
| reduce the size of the House of Commons to 200 MPs and double their salaries |
| replace the current honours system |
| disestablish the Church of England |
| abolish devolution and support votes on complete independence for Scotland, Wales and the unification of Ireland |
Freedom of thought, belief and expression must be actively promoted in all aspects of national life. In an age where tolerance is eroded, and liberty is vulnerable, we need to ensure that these values are formally set out in a new Bill of Rights. It is a key role of the state to protect and support individual freedom. All forms of discrimination are wrong, and we must ensure every person can achieve their full potential.
The hereditary monarchy and the Establishment it embodies are incompatible with the modern, progressive country we must create. The powers of the head of state should be increased and these embedded in a written constitution.
The “King” or “Queen” should be more than a figurehead and act as the “conscience of the nation.” They must have the authority to protect people from an over mighty state or dictatorial government. They need the legitimacy to veto legislation that is not in the long term interests of the British people. The whole Brexit debacle highlighted the weakness of the current system.
The head of state should not be decided by birth into a particular family. The principle is outdated, limits talent and opportunity and flies in the face of the inclusive society we must create. The “King” or “Queen” to be elected by the people.
Britain’s constitution needs to guarantee the rule of law and set out the separation of powers between the government, parliament, and the judiciary.
The House of Lords is an anachronism that must be replaced with a properly democratic second chamber able to hold the Government to account.
The House of Commons has grown unwieldy, making it challenging to attract the talent required for good government or even proper review of government activities. A significant proportion of members are nothing more than third rate, pompous windbags, a situation replicated to a greater degree in the UK’s devolved assemblies.
Devolution has been a disaster. It is a halfway house that needs to go further or be reversed.