Boris Johnson has been urged to “clean up politics” as campaigners publish their “alternative” Queen’s speech.
The Prime Minister is set to roll out the list of laws he plans to push through in the next parliament on Tuesday.
Ahead of the speech, a coalition of campaign groups set out its own wish list for strengthening British democracy.
The list includes voting reforms, to ensure “no party can achieve absolute power on the basis of a minority of the vote.”
It calls for ministers to make “transparency and accountability the guiding principles for our government and elected representatives.”
And the campaign groups called for the House of Lords to be fully elected.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition backing the campaign, Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy, said: “History and present day experience show there is nothing permanent about democracy. And our democracy has taken a beating in recent months.
"There is now a ban on noisy protests, the independence of the elections’ watchdog has been trashed and money from abroad could start washing into our elections."
"Meanwhile," he added, "crony covid contracts, Party Gate and Owen Paterson’s rule-breaking lobbying are further eroding trust in politics, which is now at a record low.
“There is no time to waste. The job of cleaning up politics and strengthening our democracy needs to start with the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday.
An alternative Queen’s Speech setting out the coalition’s demands has already been sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and every one of Parliament’s 650 MPs.
Neal Lawson, Director of Compass added, “We are asking MPs to champion our Queen’s Speech proposals. If passed into law, its measures would once again make the UK’s democracy an international gold standard.”
Organisations behind the alternative speech include Unlock Democracy, Compass, Make Votes Matter, Open Britain, Bremain in Spain, FairVote, ERS, Citizen Network Research, Sortition Foundation, Involve and Shout Out UK.
The coalition say the groups’ supporters and members number in their hundreds of thousands.
Here’s the alternative Queen’s Speech in full
Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament
Tuesday 10th May
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people who face losing their lives and their freedom. Russia ’s illegal invasion of Ukraine highlights the threats to democracy around the world.
In response to this attack on freedom abroad, my Government will take steps to strengthen, secure and modernise our democracy at home.
My Government’s priority is to create a vibrant, inclusive democracy, a beacon of freedom and fairness around the world, that puts power in the hands of the people and unlocks a brighter future for the United Kingdom.
My Government will embark on an ambitious programme of democratic reform that delivers on the people’s priorities.
My Government will legislate to ensure that no party can achieve absolute power on the basis of a minority of the vote.
My Ministers will establish citizens’ assemblies to ensure the people are actively involved in determining key government policies.
My Government will devolve more power to the UK’s nations, regions, rural communities, cities and towns.
Ministers will make transparency and accountability the guiding principles for our government and elected representatives.
My Government will drive reform of the House of Lords so that membership of the upper house is no longer determined by inheritance or cronyism.
My Government believes that our democracy is fragile and that in a global and digital age it must be protected and renewed to face down populists and autocrats.
Together we embrace this challenge and commit to building a better democracy and a better future for our country.
Members of the House of Commons
Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
Other measures will be laid before you.
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
