were too weak. I support efforts to reform the House of Lords, although I find movement on this issue too slow and the lack of radicalism worrying. I support elected mayors and assemblies for our large cities, although I wish Blair would either declare himself as a candidate for Mayor of London or get out of the race entirely. I support movement towards electoral reform for all areas of British politics but am worried that Labour will forestall on this issue, scared of its possible consequences.
I believe that there is a broad base of public support for sweeping change in Britain's outdated constitution (or rather an outdated lack of a constitution) and urge the government to begin movement towards a more accountable and more democratic model of governance for this nation. The scheme which I have outlined at left is, I know, far too radical for 'New' Labour - even touching the monarchy, let alone outright abolition seems to be beyound their ken (although not beyond our Ken - elect him as PM now!). My idea here is not to set out a framework which Britain can be stretched into, but rather to put forward a few ideas and to encourage debate on how the nation should be governed in the 21st century.
The main principle that I have followed in drawing up this plan is one of subsidiarity - the devolving of power to the lowest appropriate level. If true subsidiarity is achieved in Britain, we could see a rejuvenation of our flagging democracy. Whilst huge amounts of power lie cooped up in unelected bodies and those devolved bodies which do exist have little or no power, as is the case in Wales, there is bound to be a general feeling of disenfranchisement amongst the people - this could proove very dangerous. A Tory reading this would probably accuse me of attempting to break up the United Kingdom. This is not my aim. In general, my feeling towards the UK and its continued survival is one of ambivalence. I would not stand in the way, for example, of Scotland gaining independence within Europe and in addition I strongly support the (peaceful) republican cause in Ireland. As a socialist who believes that 'by the strength of our common endevour we achieve more than we achieve alone' (Hope I got that right, Tony), I suppose that I should support the continuation of Union. However, my Socialism also extends to a strong belief in self-determination - basically, the UK was put together by the sword; it must be either reinforced or broken apart by the ballot box. It is possible that the federalist system I have outlined above would strengthen the UK. Alternatively, it may pave the way for its demise. Whichever happens, it must be the will of the people.
So, who does what in this model then?
The President of the Republic
Head of state, elected every five years by universal sufferage. No policy-making role, but gives formal assent to all national legislation. Chairs Council of Ministers and has casting vote in deliberations. Is accountable to Council of the Isles who may call him/her before them to answer questions and in exceptional circumstances may pass motions of censure or no confidence in the President.
First Minister of the Isles
Leader of the largest party in the Council of the Isles. Appoints and chairs meetings of the national cabinet, which makes decisions on many areas of defence and foreign policy and other national policy areas. Cabinet members must be from the Council of the Isles. The First Minister will be in regular consultation with the President and also sits in the Council of Ministers.
Council of the Isles
Federal assembly of around 300 members elected from all four constituent parts of the FBR, through open regional list system. Main purpose is to act as constitutional check on President and First Minister of the Isles and must approve all legislation put forward by the Cabinet. In addition, it will scrutinise and approve all national legislation and approve it before it goes forward to the Council of Ministers. All four sub-national First Ministers sit ex officio in the COI and may be held to account for their actions by it. In addition, all other members of the Council of Ministers can be called before the COI to face questions. The COI may pass no confidence motions in the First Minister of the Isles or the President of the Republic, which would lead to the resignation of the First Minister or to new elections for President. A weighted majority system of voting means that no single sub-nation can dominate: for national legislation to pass it requires that the majority of members for at least three sub-nations approve it.
Council of Ministers
Formed of the First Minister of the Isles, each sub-national First Miniser, their Cabinets and chaired by the President of the Republic. Scrutinises and approves all national legislation, whether put forward by the First Minister of the Isles, the European Parliament or the sub-national parliaments, following its approval by the Council of the Isles. May return legislation to the COI with recomendations for alterations up to three times, following which it must give way to the elected house. The COM is accountable to the Council of the Isles.
Sub-National Parliaments and Assembly
The political arrangements for the Northern Ireland Assembly will be as per the Good Friday Agreement. In all other cases, the parliaments will consist of between 300 and 150 members elected through the AV Top-up system for fixed terms of five years. The leader of the largest party in the parliaments becomes the first minister and appoints a cabinet. The Cabinet and Parliaments will have near-complete executive and legislative powers over their respective nations, with the exception of such areas as constitutional matters, defence policy, macro-economic policies and most foreign policy (although the parliaments will be able to conduct most of their own relationships with the EU). The Parliaments will, subject to referenda, have full control over income tax, although the National Executive may set a limit on cuts or increases of 5% or more. Parliaments may propose national legislation which, after approval by the regional parliament goes forward to the COI and COM.
Regional Assemblies
In England and Scotland referenda will be held to assess support for further devolution of power to regional assemblies, with up to twelve such assemblies in England and six in Scotland. Their size will vary, but all will utilise AV Top-up and fixed terms. Some areas of responsibility for such areas as housing, policing, transport, education and health for the areas will be devolved from the sub-national parliament; there will be a degree of flexibility in the implementation of bills from these parliaments and local parliament members will loose voting rights on areas now covered by the regional assembly. If all areas voted to set up regional assemblies, further reform of the parliaments would be necessary. Regional Assemblies may propose sub-national legislation to their parliaments, but the support of the majority of assemblies (where these exist) or the majority of Parliamentary Members (where no such assemblies exist) for other regions is essential for such legislation to be passed.
Elected Mayors and Local Cabinets
Referenda will be held in all metropolitain areas over the creation of the post of an elected mayor to appoint and chair a local cabinet, formed of members of the city council. If the decision is made not to have a mayor, then the leader of the largest group in the council appoints the cabinet, which will be chaired in rotation by its own members. The Cabinet will have executive power over all areas of council duty, but will be accountable to the council, who may pass votes of no confidence in the Mayor, the entire cabinet or individual members. In non-metropolitain areas, the cabinet system will be used automatically.
City/County councils Will have expanded powers over all current areas in which such councils deal. The Single Transferable Vote system of PR will be introduced.
Legislative Processes
National Legislation (Includes constitutional matters, defence, non-EU foreign policy and some EU matters and macro-economic legislation)
May be proposed by: First Minister of the Isles, individual members of the COI, sub-national parliaments, European Parliament
In all cases other than Europe-proposed legislation, the proposed legislation goes first before the COI, which it must pass, with or without ammendments through a weighted majority system. After this it will go to the COM, who may either approve it or return it to the COI with ammendments, up to three times. On the fourth return to the COM it must be automatically passed. The President gives formal assent to all legislation passed by the COM.
Sub-national legislation (All areas not considered national legislation and for which responsibility has not been devolved to more local areas than the Sub-National Parliaments)
May be proposed by: First Ministers of the Sub-Nations, individual members of the Parliament/Assembly, Regional Assemblies.
In all cases the legislation goes before the sub-national Parliament/Assembly where it must pass through a weighted majority system to prevent one area of the region over-ruling all others. Where regional assemblies have been set up, there may be a degree of flexibility in the implementation of the bill.
I would be very interested to hear your views on this proposal: kibble_j@yahoo.com, or write them in this site's guestbook.