Farron: "Politics must be brought back to the people!"

11.15.16am GMT Thu 13th Mar 2008

Tim Farron MP is calling for a Citizens Convention to look at how politics can be brought back to the people. Mr Farron has recently signed a parliamentary motion, EDM 621, calling for the implementation of the Citizens Convention Bill. The bill would directly address public distrust in politics and politicians because the Government as part of the convention would be required to take steps to actively involve those members of society most dissatisfied and disengaged with the current system.

Tim Farron MP said:

"Every day we see more disenfranchised people, kept at distance from a centralising Government in Whitehall. The Liberal Democrats are calling for a new political system, where every voice is heard, not just the meagre percentage of people in 'swing' constituencies. For this to happen, politics must be brought back to the people. The Citizens Convention Bill would start us on the track of achieving this, by giving many people whose voice is not usually heard real political influence. For this reason I am happy to support this Bill, in order to help make Britain fairer and more responsive to the needs of ordinary people."

Ron Bailey, the Campaign Director at Unlock Democracy, the pressure group who are supporting this bill said:

"We are at a crucial juncture in British politics, constitutional reform has been put back on the agenda in a big way, an opportunity exists for us bring into being a democracy in which the interests and voices of ordinary citizens will have greater say and influence. There has been much talk of giving powers to citizens and communities to hold public bodies to account and be involved in the decision-making processes, we must ensure that this becomes a reality - and so start to regenerate interest in politics."