83 Democratic renewal

Submitted by FDA

Congress is dismayed that many politicians have broken the bond of trust with citizens in the claiming of allowances, damaging also trust in public servants, and believes that the current tide of anti-politics must be overcome by demonstrating that our parliamentary system can be refreshed and regenerated, and providing for better accountability. This will require reforming and strengthening the work of Parliament, redressing the balance of powers between the executive and the legislature, and restoring a culture of morality and decency that too many in public life appear to have lost.

Congress urges politicians of all democratic parties to ensure that:

i) government policy decisions are supported by objective analysis and consultation

ii) resources are provided to allow draft legislation to be thoroughly prepared, with adequate time for consideration by Parliament and others

iii) the role of select committees to scrutinise the work of government is enhanced, for example by creating cross-cutting select committees such as a Select Committee on Equalities in the UK Parliament

iv) proposals approved by the Government requiring fresh legislation or substantial resources are subject to post-implementation reviews within a timely period following their introduction, in particular to assess the outcomes and value actually achieved

v) further consideration is given to enhancing the voice of local communities

vi) there is a renewed emphasis on the importance of the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s seven principles of public life

vii) the political impartiality of the civil service is enshrined in a Civil Service Act.

Amendment (Not Accepted)

From: Public and Commercial Services Union

Add new final paragraph:

‘Congress recognises that democratic renewal also requires elected politicians to be properly representative of, and accountable to, their constituents and therefore calls on the General Council to instigate a debate within the trade union movement on change in the current parliamentary electoral system towards a system of proportional representation.’