Live blog: Clegg sets out political reform plan
Updated on 19 May 2010
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has delivered a speech outlining the coalition government's plans for political reform. He promised the biggest shake-up in British democracy for 200 years and the expected referendum on the alternative vote system.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has delivered a speech outlining the coalition government's plans for political reform. He promised the biggest shake-up in British democracy for 200 years and the expected referendum on the alternative vote system.
Voting reform: what are the options?
He said: "This government is going to transform our politics so the state has far less control over you, and you have far more control over the state.
"This government is going to break up concentrations of power and hand power back to people, because that is how we build a society that is fair.
"Incremental change will not do. It is time for a wholesale, big bang approach to political reform. That's what this government will deliver."
The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Mr Clegg's Liberal Democrats outlined political reforms including plans for five-year fixed-term parliaments, reforms to the House of Lords, powers for voters to recall their MP if found guilty of serious wrongdoing and a referendum on voting reforms.