Fooled again? By Colin Talbot

14 May 10
The proposal to put into the legislation for fixed-term parliaments for the UK a provision that it requires a 55% vote to dissolve parliament is ludicrous

I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
And I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again

The Who’s lyrics seem especially apposite as the ‘new politics’ starts off by resorting to some very old, 19th century, politics – rigging electoral and political systems to suit those in power.

The proposal to put into the legislation for fixed-term parliaments for the UK a provision that it requires a 55% vote to dissolve parliament is ludicrous in several ways.

First, it is clearly a short-term expedient solution to the problems of the current two-party coalition government. As such, it is absolutely no way to design constitutional change.

Second, the way it has emerged – cobbled together in the back rooms of the coalition negotiations – is almost certain to get the backs up of just about everyone who wasn’t included in this stitch-up. It is true that in fixed-term parliaments the same rules do not apply as in our current parliament. It is also true that a vote of no confidence can’t automatically lead to a dissolution and fresh elections, or there’d be no point in having a fixed term. But coming up with a solution to this problem is a matter for serious thought and an inclusive constitutional commission, not a back-room stitch-up to meet the short-term needs of one government. What were they thinking?

Third, it is in any case unworkable. Parliament can pass an Act  – but it cannot stop a majority of one overturning the provision of that Act requiring a 55% majority at any time. Only a constitutional provision in a written constitution with safeguards against simple majority tampering could provide such a secure provision for a ‘55%’ rule. An Act of Parliament doesn’t cut it. Again, who’s clever idea was this?

And next comes an Act to reduce the number of MPs, change the way the Boundary Commission works and redistribute seats. Will anyone seriously trust the Lib-Con Coalition to do this in a disinterested, impartial, and inclusive way after this 55% fiasco? Gordon Brown had to cope with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the first few weeks – this looks like an outbreak of foot in mouth disease in the first few days.

Colin Talbot is professor of public policy and management at Manchester Business School. This post first appeared on Whitehall Watch

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