Caving in to the Neanderthals

PMQs and it seems Brown is bottling it once again, with reports already doing the rounds – briefed by insiders no doubt – that plans to hold a referendum will be parked in Labour’s manifesto.

We were there in Brighton. And we heard that particular non promise over the big screen.

Today we had expected Brown to commit himself to take action in this parliament – by stating clearly his intent to amend the Constitutional Renewal Bill. This watered down pledge sees the Prime Minister caving in to the Neanderthals in his own party.

After all Labour’s soundings, half-promises and positioning we required a firm government commitment to electoral reform, not another exercise in calculated vagueness.

This appears a victory for Labour’s most conservative backbenchers and another blow to Brown’s leadership. If Brown wants to show he still has any authority over the Parliamentary Labour Party he has to make clear his intention to amend the Constitutional Renewal Bill this week.

All of us at Vote for a Change think it’s high time the PM drew a line under months of dithering and starts the task of restoring credibility to our parliament.

If you agree we need your support:

http://www.voteforachange.co.uk/referendum