Nick Clegg Unveils Election Reform Plans
THE TELEGRAPH: Sweeping reforms to parliamentary constituencies will be introduced alongside moves to change the voting system, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced today.



Previously the Government had mooted increasing the threshold from a simple majority to 55 per cent of MPs, Mr Clegg said.

The announcement will further antagonise opponents of the change - including Tory backbencher David Davis - who claim Parliament's ability to throw out a failing government is being compromised.

Mr Clegg also set out plans for the House of Commons to be reduced from 650 to 600 MPs after a review of boundaries, saving £12 million a year.

The Government's proposed boundary review, equalising the size of all but two constituencies, would be in place in time for its planned 2015 general election, he said.

Mr Clegg also confirmed that a referendum on replacing first-past-the-post Westminster elections with the Alternative Vote (AV) will be held on May 5 next year. >>> | Monday, July 05, 2010

Sayf al-Islam Gaddafi Announces Reform Plans

Photo of Sayf al-Gaddafi courtesy of the BBC

BBC: The son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has announced reform plans, including an independent central bank and free media.

Sayf al-Islam Gaddafi also called for a national dialogue on a new constitution to strengthen Libya's political system.

But he said Islamic Sharia law, security issues, Libya's territorial unity and his father's leadership would be kept out of any political debate.

Sayf al-Islam holds no government post, but is his father's most trusted envoy.

He has denied reports that he is being groomed to succeed his father.

'People's contract'

In a speech broadcast live on state media, Mr Gaddafi said the current political system, which mixes Islamic ideas with some socialist principles, was flawed.

He said it criminalised political dissent and banned the creation of political parties and a freely-elected parliament. Gaddafi son unveils reform plan (more)

Mark Alexander