15th May 2001

Pam Giddy, Director of Charter88, has responded positively to the publication of the Liberal Democrat manifesto:

"Charter88 welcomes the Lib Dems' manifesto pledge to reform politics. We hope they will thrust the issues from the middle of their manifesto to the forefront of their election campaign. The Lib Dems have highlighted the need for political reform as a means of tackling public alienation from the existing system. Rather than promote fig-leaf gimmicks, they suggest radical reform to encourage a thriving democracy and tackle the issues people remain concerned about.

The public may not talk explicitly about electoral reform but they do talk about the worthlessness of their vote and their lack of interest in politics. At a time when Labour have hedged their commitment to holding referendum on voting reform, the Lib Dems have rightly make the connection between the two."

She continued:

"The Lib Dems' pledge to introduce a 'smaller directly elected Senate' contrasts with the fiasco of Labour's 'people's peers' and the partial, undemocratic nature of their House of Lords reform. The Conservatives early enthusiasm for reform appears to have waned. Only a fully elected second chamber will have the democratic mandate and legitimacy to alter and pass laws in the people's name."

She concluded:

"Now more than ever, the issue of political reform is of vital importance. The connection between public alienation from politics and the exclusionary political system we are living under has never been more relevant. The Lib Dems advocate many of the reforms that Charter88 believe will address and redress the problem. They must ensure they are given the hearing they deserve. "