UKIP's policy for better government

The UK Independence Party has launched its policy paper "How We Are Governed" to rescue Britain’s democracy and constitution and to re-establish rule by the people for the people in a country independent of the European Union.

The paper says the British Constitution and the British system of government are in serious disarray. Reforms instituted under New Labour have been little short of political vandalism. Bureaucracy is triumphing over democracy at every level from Brussels through to Whitehall and the town hall.

“Under both Labour and the Conservatives, Britain has surrendered so many powers to the European Union (EU), that Westminster only generates around 20% of its own laws now.”

Introducing the paper, UKIP MP Bob Spink said: "Both parties of government have been guilty of constitutional vandalism - the Conservatives with Maastricht; Blair with devolution and the Lords; Brown with the Lisbon Treaty."

The main points of UKIP’s constitutional and governmental policy for an independent Britain are:

A major move to direct democracy with referenda for all major national or local issues of concern, police boards, health boards and controversial planning schemes like supermarkets.
A solution to the "West Lothian Question" by creating four national assemblies including a new English Parliament in Westminster, but replacing all national level politicians with Westminster MPs – MSPs with MPs etc – meeting one week a month nationally. There would be English departments and an English First Minister.
A reformed "House of Lords and Senators" introducing 200 elected "Lord Senators", with strict quality criteria.
A move to Alternative Vote (AV) voting systems for all elections.
Part of the Crown Estates to be moved to the monarchy, to end annual state support.

Dr Spink said: "On the Lords, we have scrambled the egg, and it can't be unscrambled, and we have weakened the Commons. This policy statement is a real and honest review of interrelated constitutional matters. In the end this is about who actually governs us and who controls us."

David Campbell Bannerman, UKIP Deputy Leader and Head of Policy, added: "There is only room for one union – the British Union or the European Union. The EU is undermining the UK, and the two are incompatible. UKIP strongly supports the British Union.

"Devolution isn't working. The SNP with their bogus independence claims are running rings round Labour. It's time for radical reform of devolution.

"It is about time England was treated fairly. UKIP will create an English Parliament, insist on fair treatment for all UK citizens, scrap regional government and end the unfair Barnett funding formula. We'd end the messy divisiveness and bind the UK back together."

For the full policy paper, please click HERE



"To be born English is to win first prize in the lottery of life"