Local Lib Dems say "It's time to fix Britain's broken politics"

10.01.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Jun 2009

"If we are ever going to be able to trust our MPs again, we need real change", says local spokesperson Dave Radcliffe.

Liberal Democrats have called for real change to the political system after recent revelations about MPs' expenses.

"MPs already earn more than three times the national average," said local spokesperson Dave Radcliffe. "They should not be able to claim for duck houses in country estates or use taxpayers money to fund a mortgage and pocket the profit when they sell up."

"If we are ever going to be able to trust our MPs again, we need real change. We need to stop MPs from setting their own pay and expenses rules . Reforming our electoral system and allowing voters to force a by-election when their MP is guilty of serious wrongdoing would also help rebuild trust."

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has set out a plan to restore trust in the political process by putting power back in to the hands of the people.

The plan sets out radical reforms which can be achieved within 100 days, including:

• Giving people the right to sack MPs

• Stopping all big party political donations

• Electing the House of Lords

• Making the voting system fair - so that governments can't just get all that power and all that money with if only a minority vote for them

• Putting an end to self serving politics and put people back in charge

Nick said:

"The expenses scandal is only the tip of the iceberg. Our whole political system is broken and in need of radical reform to give power back to people and make Britain fairer."

"This opportunity to create a different kind of politics must be seized before momentum is lost."

"MPs should be stopped from leaving for their summer holidays until this crisis has been sorted out, and every nook and cranny of our political system reformed."

If you want to see British politics changed in this way then you can visit our new campaign site www.TakeBackPower.org to find out more information and sign Nick's petition.