BURT BACKS BILL TO CLEAN UP POLITICS

5.37.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Solihull's MP Lorely Burt, has signed a Commons motion backing a Bill to help clean up politics by involving the public in making suggestions for change before being put to the vote by MPs.

"Whilst canvassing for the recent elections, I was struck by the levels of distrust shown towards politicians and politics in general," said Lorely.

"All parties now accept the need for change, but if we are to regain the trust of the public we cannot alone be the sole agents of that change. We need to involve our citizens otherwise people will question how the people who made the mess can solve it alone.

"The Citizens Convention Bill sets up a mechanism to involve citizens directly by discussion, taking evidence and making their own suggestions for change which must be voted on by Parliament.

"Along with many of my colleagues I have signed a motion supporting the Bill in order to help restore trust by getting people directly involved in the process of change."