Labour and Conservatives roadblocks to political reform

Labour and the Conservatives repeatedly blocked major reform of the political system put forward by the Liberal Democrats last year.

Two amendments, which would have led to a review of the right to recall MPs guilty of misconduct and a cap on party donations, were put forward in June 2009 to the Political Parties and Election Bill. The Liberal Democrats also brought forward measures in 2006 to restrict the influence of lobbyist in Parliament. Labour voted against these amendments and the Tories abstained.

The Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to place a responsibility on the Secretary of State to review and report on procedures for constituencies to recall their MPs if they have been found guilty of misconduct. Labour voted against these measures and the Tories refused to back them.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90615-0005.htm

The Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to introduce a £50,000 cap on donations to political parties. Once again Labour voted against the amendment and the Conservatives abstained.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90617-0002.htm

The Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment on expenditure on lobbying in 2006 which Labour voted against and the Conservatives failed to support: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo061018/debtext/61018-0018.htm