Drop the Queen's Speech for an emergency programme of political reform

11.00.59am GMT Wed 18th Nov 2009

The Liberal Democrats have called for this year's Queen's Speech to be dropped in favour of an emergency programme of political reform.

After the expenses scandal, this Parliament has destroyed its own legitimacy. Not in living memory has confidence in politicians, trust in the system, or faith in the government's capacity to change things been as low as it is today.

This Parliament no longer has the right to govern. All it has left is a solemn duty to clean up for good the mess in British politics. The one gift this failed Parliament can give its successor is a fresh start.

The Liberal Democrats proposed reforms are:

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.