Separation of executive and legislature

Proposer
Floppy
State

Accepted

Vote Score

3

Age

3284 days


Floppy

@Floppy - almost 9 years ago

This probably needs more detail, but I've been meaning to write it for ages. It seems wrong to me that the government and legislature are the same, and that MPs are effectively muzzled when they take a government job. It also seems to me that we should be able to appoint the best minds to the right roles, not the best politicians or campaigners.

@Floppy edited manifesto/democracy.md - almost 9 years ago

The "upper house" - as it is known - should not contain more Lords than MPs. We will place a cap on Lords of 650, and seek to remove those Lords with the lowest attendance in order to drop the current levels down to match the House of Commons.

Ban on ministerial positions

No ministerial position should be held by an unelected politician. As such, only sitting members of the House of Commons will be permitted to take up Government posts.

House of Citizens

The House of Lords will be replaced with a chamber made up of randomly-selected citizens tasked with reviewing and amending legislation created by the House of Commons.

Second home allowances will be scrapped, and MPs will instead have accommodation provided through parliament. This could be in dedicated accommodation, existing hotels, or long-term leases as appropriate. All MPs would be treated equally under this system.

Government Ministers

Separation of Powers

Abolish the City Minister position, ending the privileged position of the City of London to influence policy at the expense of the wider public.

In the UK, our executive branch (the government) is made up of members of the legislative branch (the Commons and Lords). Ideally, they would be separated.

Limit the number of ministers, abolish Parliamentary Private Secretaries and further place a limit on the number or percentage of ruling party MPs that may serve in Government. Granting Government jobs to MPs has been used increasingly as a way to help ensure more MPs 'toe the party line' often in the face of staunch opposition from constituents. Limiting this tactic will help to ensure more MPs remain more accountable to their electorate, not the party.

The executive should be appointed by the legislature, on an annual basis. Ministers could then be selected from all walks of life for their expertise in subject areas, management, or other desirable skills.

Cabinet appointments will be subject to a vote of approval by the House of Commons.

Government Posts

Abolish the City Minister position, ending the privileged position of the City of London to influence policy at the expense of the wider public.

Royal Secrecy

philipjohn

@philipjohn - almost 9 years ago

Hmm. I could have sworn that I'd proposed something like this already :/

Anyway, hell yes 👍 - this is one of my personal bug bears with Parliament.

anilliams

@anilliams - almost 9 years ago

Basically a good idea. Perhaps a bit too idealistic, but nevertheless deserves inclusion in the manifesto. 👍