We must keep the spotlight on the other parties over electoral reform

The Prime Minister endorsed significant aspects of the Progress Campaign for real reform now and laid down a clear challenge to the Conservatives. A referendum on AV/AV+ (as the question has not been drafted let us keep pushing, a re-commitment to abolish of the hereditary principle (let us make this happen) and a commitment on the recall of MPs. Add this to the changes in the system for MPs expenses and reforms in House of Commons practices and it is now clear which Party has responded to the expenses scandal with an understanding of how much needs to change. It puts the ball in Cameron’s court: what else but words does he have to offer voters who no longer believe in this democracy of ours?

But it also means that the campaign for greater reform is even more urgent, that this constitutional reform agenda needs expanding, radicalising and making central to Labour’s manifesto and its campaign. So there are two tasks for progressives coming out of Gordon Brown's conference speech. Keep the pressure up inside the Labour Party, encourage the government to keep walking the road of radicalism and make it clear to voters that one party in this country has not only “got it” but knows what to do about it - keep the spotlight on the other parties. 

The government offered the chance of a dialogue on these issues, the possibility of cross party approach. That offer should remain open because constitutional change works best when there is consensus. But if they will not try to find a common way forward we need to keep the pressure on them and ask them what is about politics they will change? How will they enable citizens to reclaim their democracy? How will they represent the people in parliament? How will they hold their elected representatives to account?

Labour has taken the first giant stride down the road to a peaceful revolution in our time. Who will come with us? And what are the next ten steps in democratic renewal that a re-elected Labour government will take? There has been a lot more Nye Bevan at this conference than I can remember for years. The reason is simple, Bevan understood the essence of what makes the Labour Party different from other parties. His phrase, we seek power to give it away, should become the rallying cry for the next election.

Brian Brivati