Liberal Democrats urge Brown to be bold and radical on constitutional reform

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Jun 2007

Gordon Brown today met his cabinet to discuss plans to restore trust in politics and make the government more accountable. This comes after Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell, who wrote to Gordon Brown at the start of Brown's leadership campaign calling on him to take up the cause of reform, urged the Prime Minister not to squander the opportunity to revitalise Britain's democracy. Proposals for a comprehensive programme of constitutional reform were published today. The Liberal Democrats' programme of reform includes:

· Drawing up a written constitution setting out individual rights and limiting the power of the state, through a constitutional convention involving not just parties but also members of the public.

· Replacing the House of Lords with a wholly or predominantly elected upper house, with all its members elected by a fair voting system.

· Implementing a fair voting system for the Commons and Local Government in England and Wales.

· Legislating for fixed parliamentary terms.

· Giving Select Committees much more powers in pre- and post-legislative scrutiny, and greater involvement in review of departmental responsibilities and priorities.

· Introducing limits on party funding and party spending.

· Transferring all the powers of 'Royal Prerogative' to Parliament not just the current war-making power of the Prime Minister.

Sir Ming Campbell said "The proposals that I am publishing today set out a blueprint for a modern and forward looking constitution which will protect the rights and liberties of the British people and help reconnect politics with the public at every level of government. A piecemeal approach to constitutional change will not suffice anymore. Now is the moment for bold and radical reform."