Let us take back power - Vote for power to the people

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 30th May 2009

If every cloud has a silver lining then the scandal of MPs expenses has at least led to a wider debate on the state of politics today.

Recent events have exposed those errant MPs who have abused their positions as well as the all too lax regime in Westminster. If we are ever going to be able to trust our politicians again, we will need to bring in real changes.

Not the minor tweaks proposed by Tory leader David Cameron such as fixed term Parliaments and giving backbenchers more say in appointing Chairs to Parliamentary Committees, but actual electoral reform which will give more power to the people.

Real changes such as allowing voters to force a by-election when their MP is guilty of serious wrongdoing, and over-hauling the voting system so that every vote will count.

The 'first past the post system' clearly favours the 2 major Parties so you can expect the Tories to wish to retain it. You should not however be forced to vote tactically but for whoever you believe will best serve the interest of the community.

Please join me in calling for a referendum to reform the corrupt system and sign the Liberal Democrat petition to bring back power to the people: see http://www.takebackpower.org/