Wow, even the BBC is seeing it!

In an article on the BBC website today, the political reporter Brian Wheeler, talks of political reform which may become revolutionary, - an an English way, of course.

He claims that many influential people have recognised that reform must go wider than merely ending scandals involving MP allowances.

He lists several possible areas, although admits that there are others. These include, in his order:

Electoral reform - he mentions proportional representation, - he would, wouldn't he?

Fixed term parliaments to take away the advantage of the party in power to choose the date

A written constitution, setting out voters' rights and limiting power of government

A fully elected second chamber - ending the power of patronage and inherited power

Curbing the power of the whips and allowing MPs to vote with their conscience

Fixed terms for MPs - to prevent them becoming complacent and over cosy

Boosting the power of select committees, with greater investigatory powers and with elected chairmen ( - why not have the chairmen from opposition parties)

Sadly, while most of the above would find general support, he concludes by saying that once the allowances scandal has found sufficient sacrificial victims and paled in memory it is likely that things will settle down exactly as before.

For the sake of efficient government and involvement of us all, it is to be hoped that he is wrong on his final sad thought. Hannan and Carswell have produced a detailed PLAN in their book. It could happen.