NEW Labour’s last set of House of Lords reforms ended up with Westminster being second only to China in its number of parliamentarians. Labour are probably also not happy with the rise of the SNP. However, in the light of the recent court decision, reheating a political discussion on the pros and cons of devolution might seem timely.
Some of the reforms I would be looking for would be: House of Lords reforms, proportional representation, nationalisation of utilities, re-engaging with the EU on a more constructive basis, flexibility of immigration policy etc. However, will these be delivered if a Labour government gets elected and how likely is a Labour government in any case?
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On the reform side, I would also suggest a way round the tiresome Westminster obsession with the left versus right dichotomy would be to expunge socialism from political debate. It is almost impossible to define in practical terms, in any case. The works of Dickens provide a far more illustrative and straightforward message regarding the need for fairness without the baggage that comes with the dogma of socialism.
Economic political debate thereafter could concern itself with, for example, the concept of compassionate capitalism, free-market capitalism that works for everyone and allows freedom of competition and growth and innovation in small and medium-sized companies, with area or nation no bar to opportunity, and with a priority to identify and work towards the elimination of regional disparities in economic, social and health disadvantage.
Peter Gorrie
Edinburgh
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