Dundee LibDems applaud call for "a new type of politics"

7.03.00am GMT Tue 11th Mar 2008

Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Leader

Dundee LibDems today (Tuesday 11th March) welcomed the conference speech of Liberal Democrat Federal Leader Nick Clegg, who has demanded a shake-up of the whole political system. A running theme of the speech was the need for a new kind of politics.

Key points from Nick's speech include:

• "Let's clean up politics … I want a Derek Conway Clause. So if an MP is suspended for serious misconduct there is an automatic recall ballot so people can call for a by-election."

• "Let's give people the say they deserve. I hold town hall meetings up and down the country every couple of weeks… Today I'm writing to invite [Brown and Cameron] to join me at any one of the town hall meetings coming up. Not as a media stunt, but a direct conversation with people".

• "Let's design a new political system for the 21st century. … I want a citizens' jury of 100 people to sit in a Constitutional Convention with all the political parties, churches, civil society groups and more - to look across the board, and redesign the way Britain is governed."

• "If we don't act, Britain will end up like America, where political influence is all about cash. That's why I want a universal £25,000 cap on donations. A real cap on spending. And yes, an end to big union donations, and an end to offshore finance from Belize."

• Nick said he would do whatever it takes to get change in Britain: "If it means walking out of Parliament when the big parties collude against us, I say: fine. If it means boycotting banquets that celebrate our relationship with dodgy regimes, like Vince Cable did, or speaking up to expose corruption like Chris Davies did, I say: so be it. If it means risking court, and refusing to sign up for an Identity Card, I say: bring it on. And you can expect more - much more - of that from me."

• "Will I ever join a Conservative government? No. Will I ever join a Labour government? No. I will never allow the Liberal Democrats to be a mere annex to another party's agenda. But am I interested in building a new type of government? Yes. Based on pluralism instead of one party rule? Yes. A new system, that empowers people not parties? Yes. We want a new, more liberal Britain. And the Liberal Democrats will be the gathering point for everyone who wants that liberal Britain too - no matter their background, no matter their party."

Here in Dundee, LibDem City Council Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, said, "Nick is setting Britain's political agenda. A shake-up of the whole political system is vital."

Related Links:

Nick Clegg promises "a new type of government".

Clegg calls for 'a new political system' - The Guardian.