Local level politics and relations with local government are at the centre of the Liberal Democrats policy for the future. Last week, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg promised a ‘new type of government' when he addressed the party's spring conference, insisting British people were ‘tired of politics' and ‘tired of politicians'. He laid down three big changes needed in Britain, all of which involved greater power at the local level. First, he wanted people to have the say ‘they deserve', with local people given a direct say in local health boards. Lib Dem local government leader, Cllr Richard Kemp, backed the view that local government was a central part of the national Lib Dem agenda, and the party was leading the way on this, which was demonstrated by the move towards a ‘people's health service'. Second, he was determined to ‘clean up politics', and called for a ‘Derek Conway clause'. ‘So, if an MP is suspended for serious misconduct, there is an automatic recall ballot so people can call for a by-election,' he said. ‘If your MP lets you down, you should have the power to fire them.' Finally, Mr Clegg hammered home his ideals for a new political system for the 21st century. ‘I want a citizens' jury of 100 people to sit in a constitutional convention with all the political parties, churches, civil society groups and more, to look across the board and redesign the way Britain is governed,' he said. ‘Only the Liberal Democrats will ever champion the sort of change we need. Only we can transform the system because we aren't part of it. ‘Transparency, openness, a new constitutional settlement and an end to big money politics. That's what Britain needs – and we will get it done,' he added.
