The Director of Unlock Democracy will be presenting evidence to the House of Lords Constitution Committee tomorrow (11am, 13 January), arguing that referendums could perform a crucial role in rebuilding trust in British politics.

Peter Facey, who was the founding director of Unlock Democracy following Charter 88’s merger with the New Politics Network, will argue that referendums should be held to approve any significant change in the nature of the relationship between the citizen and the state. This would include extending devolution, changing the powers of the European Union and changing human rights legislation.

“Referendums are one of the few options available in the UK for entrenching a law and making it more difficult for a future government to simply reverse it. It is right that the public are given a say in matters of constitutional significance; at a time when when trust in the political system is at an all time low, it is right that we consider extending their use.

“It is crucial however that the use of referendums is codified and not left to suit the agenda of the government of the day. The confusion over whether a referendum should be called to ratify the Lisbon Treaty is a case in point. Referendums should not be dependent on the exact wording of a manifesto commitment; there should be called to settle a matter of constitutional importance.”

Peter Facey will be giving evidence alongside Peter Kellner, president of YouGov.

Evidence to the House of Lords Constitution Committee on the use of referendums