Yes They Did

After decades of trying, and failing, the Democrats in the US have finally managed to pass meaningful health care legislation. For Senator Ted Kennedy it sadly came to late but for the estimated 30 million uninsured Americans who will now gain health coverage - his legacy lives on.

It calls for us to pause and reflect, in the midst of this terrible recession that has tired us as a nation and has drawn politicians further apart from each other and the people they serve: change is still possible. Indeed, in the midst of a crisis, change is not a bad thing - it becomes imperative. Was it not the Labour government of 1945 facing one of Britain's worst economic crises that radically reformed the UK? They introduced the NHS and expanded the welfare State immensely because it was the right thing to do for the British people.

Yet today our politicians fight over how deep to make cuts, cuts that will go to the core of this very safety net that is the pride of Britain and envied the world over. This is not the answer. It's not the answer President Obama has found nor most of the Western world. The recession should not be seen as a crisis - it is an opportunity. An opportunity to reform this bankrupt State for the benefit of the people who feel so left behind and excluded. It is not enough for politicians to publish their expenses receipts online, to twitter their every move - they must reform the whole political system and regain the trust of the British people.

An electoral system that gives the people a Parliament that they want would go a long way to doing this - it is disgraceful that proportional representation has not been introduced, primarily because politicians fear their cosy majorities. After a decade of devolution, England needs it's own voice - English votes for English laws simply is not enough. England must have its own Parliament properly representing the issues that matter to them. Finally, we've still seen little of how the parties will overhaul the financial system - until they get bankers bonuses under control they will not command the respect of the British people.

These are just some thoughts on what I think will make a difference to the people and their engagement with the political system. But it is for Parliament to debate amongst themselves and with the people to find a radical solution to this current situation - Obama is one step closer to his solution in the US: we must heed his example.