Constitutional Affairs

As a party, we believe in the tried and tested system of first past the post which enables the public to remove a tired and discredited government, while ensuring that each constituency has a dedicated MP. We have been utterly consistent in this matter, unlike the Prime Minister who has, after thirteen year in office on the basis of first past the post, suddenly had a deathbed conversion to the Alternative Vote system, which can be less proportionate than first past the post.

We are determined to roll back the database state. We will abolish ID cards and the national identity database, as well as the ContactPoint database. We will strengthen the audit and inspection powers of the Information Commissioner, restrain local authorities’ access to personal communications data, require new powers of data sharing to be introduced in primary legislation, rather than ministerial orders, and introduce Privacy Impact Assessments for any new legislation.

We will work to secure a consensus for a substantially elected House of Lords. It is clear that retaining a small appointed element offers the best hope of realising that consensus.

We will ensure that legislation affecting only England requires the consent of a majority of MPs representing English constituencies.

We do not support a written constitution. We will introduce a British Bill of Rights to provide additional protection for traditional civic liberties. However, there is a danger that a written constitution would ossify existing political institutions and make the political system less responsive to future demands for reform. For instance, women in Switzerland did not get the vote until 1971 due to the requirement for any constitutional change to enjoy the support of a majority of (male) voters in a referendum.

The current, unwritten, constitution means that there is the constitutional flexibility to respond to changes in society.