PMQs

The fireworks expected today did not materialise, in a perfect opportunity for Cameron to grill the PM on Labour’s poor election results and the averted coup, he missed the mark. Cameron tacitly attacked the PM, but kept the main focus of his questions on electoral reform, in anticipation of the PMs Constitutional reform speech which followed PMQs.

The leader of the opposition suggested that the government interest in a proportional representation system was fuelled out of self preservation. He went onto to refer to the BNP as “fascist thugs” and claimed that changing the Westminster electoral system would make it easier for such groups to enter parliament. The PM also attacked the BNP and said he has never supported proportional representation as a policy for Westminster but defended its use in European elections.

Nick Clegg concentrated on housing today stating “we’ve had more announcements than new homes”, the PM rejected his figures of only 20 homes being built since January. Overall the PM once again performed well; Cameron and Clegg seemed unable to handle the PMs new found confidence.

Constitutional reform speech

In short the PM proposed the following changes to the parliamentary system:

• All MPs' past and future expenses should and will be published on the internet.
  
• The House of Commons – and then subsequently the House of Lords – move from the old system of self regulation to independent, statutory regulation. This will mean the immediate creation of a new parliamentary standards authority with delegated power to regulate the system of allowances.
  
• The house will be asked to agree a statutory code of conduct for all MPs, clarifying their role in relation to their constituents and parliament – detailing what the electorate can expect from their MPs and the consequences that will follow for those who fail to deliver.
  
• For the first time there will also be legislation for new disciplinary sanctions for the misconduct of peers in the House of Lords.
  
• Making select committee processes more democratic, scheduling more time for non-government business in the house, and enabling the public to initiate directly some issues for debate.
  
• Broadening the application of freedom of information to include additional bodies which also need to be subject to greater transparency and accountability. Specifically the 30 year rule has now been reduced to 20 years.
  
• Reform of the House of Lords and the devolved governments in the UK will also be examined.
  
• On electoral reform the PM stated that the government would publish proposals to take the debate forward.

David Cameron dismissed the PM’s proposals stating, "It's a pretty sorry attempt to distract attention away from a Prime Minister who has lost his authority, a cabinet full of second preferences and a Labour government that led this country to the brink of bankruptcy".