Labour launches 2010 manifesto

Brown promises electoral reform

Gordon Brown has announced his plans for reform of the electoral system on the first full day of the election campaign.

Brown said that changes needed to be made to the way politics works after the MP's expenses scandal last year caused a "fundamental rupture" between Parliament and the people it represents.

The Prime Minister said that the key issues that Britain will need to deal with, will not be tackled unless "democracy is fully restored". He said that his plans would make MPs "more accountable to and fully representative of the ordinary men and women of this great country."

Brown said that under Labour plans for electoral reform, MPs would be banned from working for lobbying companies, prior approval from an independent body would be needed for MPs to take up outside employment and would give the public the right to recall MPs who were guilty of misconduct.

He also said that the public would be given the right to petition the House of Commons, to have issues discussed that are of public concern.

Brown announced that the Labour manifesto would include a commitment to the creation of a written constitution, to allow a free vote of MPs on the lowering of the voting age to 16 and a commitment to the creation of fixed term Parliaments. The Prime Minister said that following a Labour victory, a referendum on electoral reform would be held next August. He said that matters of voting reform and the establishment of an elected Upper House would be put to the public vote.

Brown criticised Conservative resistance to the removal of the heriditary principal from the House of Lords, saying that the party "likes to talk about change, but never delivers it".

He said that the country had been "through the turbulence of a global recession...and a political corosion that knew no party lines, but we weathered the storm. Britain was not broken." Summing up his commitment to electoral reform he said "our democracy belongs to you, not just at election times but all the time."

Election Timetable

6th April 2010– Prime Minister asks the Queen to dissolve Parliament and announces election date

7th April 2010 – PMQs continue as normal

12th April 2010 – Parliament is dissolved and writs are issued for elections in each constituency

15th April 2010 – 1st TV Leaders debate
ITV’s Alistair Stewart hosts this debate in the North West of England on the topic of domestic affairs

20th April 2010 – Deadline for nomination, withdrawal of candidature and appointment of election agents at 16:00 and nominations will be announced at 17:00 This is also the last day to register to vote and apply for a postal vote

22nd April 2010 – 2nd TV Leaders debate
This debate from the South West of England is hosted by Sky’s Adam Boulton, discussing the theme of foreign affairs

29th April 2010 – 3rd TV Leader’s debate
The final debate hosted by the BBC’s David Dimbleby will be broadcast from the Midlands on the topic of the economy

6th May 2010 – Polling day, stations open at 07:00 and close 22:00

12th May 2010 – Parliament is reformed

"Let's go to it!"

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has, today, announced the date for the General Election.

Following a meeting with the Queen to ask for the dissolution of Parliament, the Prime Minister announced on the steps of 10 Downing Street, alongside cabinet colleagues, that the election will be held on Thursday 6th May. Describing the election timetable as the worst kept secret of recent years, he set out his plans if re-elected next month.

Brown was keen to stress the skill and experience of his cabinet team saying "I am not a team of one, I am one of a team." He also spelled out his election pledges, asking the public to give him a mandate to ensure an economic recovery, preserve public services and to reform of the political system.

Leaders of the other main parties also started their official election campaigns today. David Cameron, speaking on the banks of the Thames, criticised Labour's 13 years of "big government" and called for a new era of "big society". Nick Clegg emphasised that this election was not a "two horse race" but that the Liberal Democrats were a real alternative.