In the aftermath of the MPs’ expenses scandal and other factors that have led to widespread disillusionment, we believe that politicians have demonstrated that they cannot be relied on to sort out the mess that the UK political system has got into. Unlock Democracy is therefore promoting a new law – the Citizens Convention (Accountability and Ethics) Bill – which will establish a ‘Citizens’ Convention’ to look at ways to make the UK political system more ethical and accountable. The Bill sets out the mechanisms for this and the role of the Convention. But let us emphasise at the outset that the Convention will not be a talking shop: it will have real power.
