Time for Reform

10.57.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 31st May 2009

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP has launched a radical action plan for constitutional reform to restore faith in Britain's political system following the recent series of damaging revelations about MPs expenses.

Nick Clegg has set out his proposals for political reform including:

• Commitment to accept Sir Christopher Kelly's commission's recommendations on reform of MPs expenses in full

• New powers to recall MPs suspended for misconduct

• House of Lords reform

• Reform the system of funding for political parties

• Fixed term parliaments

• Enabling legislation for a referendum on introducing proportional representation

• Changing House of Commons procedures to reduce prime ministerial and executive power.

Launching his proposals, Nick said: "For decades, we political reformers have been thwarted by the inertia of Westminster but the expenses scandal has made change possible. This week I set out a plan of action to get all the changes we need - making it possible for MPs to be sacked by their constituents, abolishing the House of Lords, getting corrupt money out of politics and changing the electoral system to give a voice to everyone. Changes our party has long been calling for."

Nick added: "As Liberal Democrats, we know that the two establishment parties are only ever fair weather friends of reform, using it for political advantage, rather than because of a genuine commitment to change. The reform of politics must address all the key issues of accountability and transparency because unless all the dead wood is cut out now, the rot will continue. These months would become a great moment in British political history, rather than a shabby footnote to a shameful month of revelations. Let us seize, not squander, the opportunity for change."