British public endorse major agenda for political change

A manifesto for re-connecting formal British politics with ordinary people has been chosen by the public and officially unveiled, as the largest ever campaign for political reform enters its decisive phase.

The unique poll by the Power 2010 coalition – which generated over 100,000 votes from the British public – creates a critical checklist of ordinary people’s priorities for political change.

The most popular proposals that will make up the Power Pledge in the run-up to the next election are a proportional voting system, the end of ID cards and government data hoarding, an elected House of Lords, English votes on English laws, and a commitment to drawing up a written constitution.

The director of Power 2010, Pam Giddy commented: “The next general election looks like being the closest run for many years – where candidates standing on these issues could make a massive difference."

She added: “This campaign sends the clearest possible message to the political classes that it is time to listen to the people’s demands. Over 100,000 votes were cast – and we expect many thousands of people across the country to pledge their support before the election."

Declared Giddy: “Some of the ideas that proved popular with the public will surprise many. In particular a commitment to give MPs representing English constituencies the sole right to agree English laws. But whether you agree with this or not, there is no denying that it is a real issue that the political classes have ignored for too long."

“We’ve taken the campaign to towns and cities across the country and everywhere heard the same thing: it’s time to fix our political system, not fiddle it,” said the Power 2010 CEO.

The next phase of the campaign will see voters asked to commit their support to a majority of the proposals – at least three – and then challenge every candidate at the next general election to support them too.

A network of regional campaigners, supported by high profile partner organisations and a major national marketing campaign will ensure that the demands for change are heard.

Pam Giddy added: “The vote shows that voters can make difficult choices about political reform. People have chosen five distinct and important reforms, any or all of which would make a major difference to our political system. We’re going to keep up the pressure until election day to make sure the people who want to represent us in parliament take these results seriously and back our campaign for change.”

The Power 2010 campaign is backed by the Joseph Rowntree Trusts and is supported by a wide coalition of organisations and individuals - including the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia.

To sign the Power Pledge and show your support visit: www.power2010.org.uk

Power 2010’s final pledges are, in rank order:

1. Introduce a proportional voting system.

2. Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state.

3. Replace the House of Lords with an elected chamber.

4. Allow only English MPs to vote on English laws.

5. Draw up a written constitution.