DRESS REHEARSAL SPEECH NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR WALES - WILLIAMS

12.00.00am GMT Wed 18th Nov 2009

Commenting on the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP said:

"We desperately need real reform to how our Parliament works to ensure that Welsh voters have a greater voice, but we have been left with a Queen's Speech that is merely a dress rehearsal for the General Election.

"Labour are abusing their position in Government by introducing gimmicky, inconsequential and unnecessary bills in a bid to gain some column inches.

"The Queen's Speech should be about introducing real reforms that will make a difference to people in Wales, not testing out election slogans."

ENDS

Notes:

Liberal Democrat proposed reforms

Recall power for MPs suspended for misconduct - so we never again have to wait months and years to get rid of people who have betrayed the people they represent

Code of conduct for candidates in the next election, including declaration of financial interests - so everyone elected can command full public confidence

House of Lords reform - so only elected representatives have the power to make our laws

Party funding reform in time for this election - so big money and the whiff of corruption it brings are removed from politics for good

Fixed term Parliaments - so the voters can never again be toyed with by a Prime Minister planning an election timetable to save his own skin

Legislation to establish a 100-person Citizens' Assembly, on the Canadian model, to agree a new voting system for Parliamentary Elections

Changes to House of Commons procedure to reduce executive power - so never again can a government use the power of the whips to ride roughshod over the views of Parliament.