Graham Allen (Nottingham, MP): There is an air of bafflement in the House of Commons. Last Tuesday Gordon Brown chose democracy as the topic for his first ever set-piece statement in the House of Commons as Prime Minister, and offered the prospect of a route map to a written constitution for the UK. “Of course he doesn’t mean it” said all the old hands. But then today, he chooses to make another statement to parliament - not, you notice, the media - this time heralding a debate on the government’s legislative programme some four months ahead of the Queen's Speech. He said,
"For over one and a half centuries the annual Gracious address has been drafted inside Government and agreed by the Cabinet far from the public arena. But I believe it is now right in the interests of good and open government and public debate that each year the Prime Minister make a summer statement to this House so that initial thinking, previously private, can now be the subject of widespread and informed public consultation.
And today in advance of final decisions the Leader of the House is publishing details of our initial list of proposed legislative measures - inviting debate on them in both Houses this month and making provision for region-by-region deliberation and responses."
Given such a clear lead some MP’s are beginning to think it might be time to get on board the bandwagon. Conservative Sir George Young asked, “If the PM is serious about consulting on the legislative programme, doesn’t he have to do better than give parliament the half-a-day’s debate?” To which Brown simply and disarmingly replied, “Yes, that will be done”. Similarly, self-appointed dinner-party democrats, (some of whom contribute to openDemocracy), are slowly allowing themselves to believe that democratic change could be on the way. Some are even prepared to say so in print!
Having waited ten years for a change in government, from one that - repaying its debt of honour to John Smith apart - had little or no interest in democratising the UK, we have now a leadership which takes these matters very seriously and sees them as a significant part of the answer to many of our social and economic problems. It is now incumbent upon democrats, wherever you are, not only to encourage participation in the various debates around democratic change which the new Prime Minister has launched, but to take a lead and show some initiative. It may be necessary to support whatever messy compromises are required as the programme develops. Ensuring that it sustains its momentum is the key, not taking away our ball at the first excuse.
There have been more proposals on improving our democracy in one Gordon Brown week, than in ten Tony Blair years. Now you, yes you dear reader, need to do your bit to help keep the momentum going. The forces of constitutional conservatism are beginning to wake up. Believe me they are considerable and well-placed. But now they really might be defeated. This will call for organisation, self-discipline, cooperation, patient persuasion. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How much do you want it?
