The Talking Clock: Our next electoral reform idea... link MP's pay to how 'representative' they are

The Talking Clock is an opinion based, independently authored, small 'c' conservative, libertarian blog.

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Friday, 18 September 2009

Our next electoral reform idea... link MP's pay to how 'representative' they are

Several weeks ago, this blog shared an idea about electoral reform which mostly focussed on party leaders. In this follow up, we'd like to present our radical idea on how to completely reform the MP system to not only counter the abhorrent party whip system but also - positively - to ensure that we, the people, are represented by our politicians.

Our radical idea also has an impact on MPs' pay, ensuring that we - the taxpayer - get value for money based on democracy and representation.

Step 1 - here, the boundary commission would control constituency boundaries in exactly the same way as is currently the case. These constituencies would become known as the "primary constituency". Additionally, they would establish the six geographically based nearest "neighbouring constituencies" for each individual postcode.

Step 2 - after a general election in which a MP is elected, it is this MP who would serve their "primary constituency". For this, they would be paid a flat fee - say £100,000.

Step 3 - members of the public would be able to change their MP and instead correspond freely with the MP for a "neighbouring constituency" provided:
3.1 The constituent informs the electoral authority citing three Parliamentary votes in the current session of Parliament in which they believe the MP for their "primary constituency" has not voted in a way that represents their views on any political issue.
3.2 The constituent can indicate to the electoral authority how a MP for a "neighbouring constituency" has voted on three occasions in the current Parliament that represents their views more accordingly.
3.3 Once agreed, the electoral authority will issue a certificate of validity to the constituent concerned which must be attached to all written correspondence or presented at each surgery meeting. This certificate will be the proof to the new "neighbouring constituency" MP that they are the nominated representative of the constituent who selects their representative in this manner. Similarly, the rejected "primary constituency" MP will be notified that they no longer represent the views of the constituent concerned and must reject and ignore any lobbying or correspondence from this transferring constituent.

Step 4 The electoral authority will manage the payroll of MPs and their salaries will be governed - pound for person - by how many constituents transfer in or out of their representation.

For example, if an individual MP has 10,000 constituents from "neighbouring constituencies" selecting to be represented by him/her instead of their "primary constituency" MP, that MP will have their pay increased by £10,000 and thus be paid £110,000.

If, however, an individual "primary constituency" MP loses 10,000 of their constituents who choose to migrate their representation to a "neighbouring constituency" MP, they will lose - pound for person - from their flat salary and would thus be paid £90,000 rather than the full amount.

The number of times that a member of the public could transfer their representation within the lifetime of a Parliament whilst living at the same address would be restricted to prevent abuses of this system.

Conclusion While bureaucratic, this system will motive MPs' through their salary to listen to their constituents and to represent their views above the demands of their party whip. In addition, it means that members of the public will be empowered to find a Member of Parliament who will listen to them and agree with their views and press for action on the matters concerned without that member of the public having to wait five years for a General Election.

Got any better ideas?

1 comments:

Clockington Bear20 September 2009 02:23
Good idea.

Perhaps the act of transferring to another MP should also effect the apportioning of votes in parliament. If each MP had 1 vote per constituent in any division, then transferring your allegiance would reduce that MP's influence when making statues.
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