Interestingly, only four are in
the area of constitutional reform.
Not exact matches
This includes taking the credit for significant
areas of policy covering welfare, energy, housing, and
constitutional reform.
This is based on the controversial policy
of «constructive opposition» - cooperating with the Government on
areas of agreement, like
constitutional reform and, as announced last week, a common European foreign and security policy, and opposing it on others.
Under the Ashdown formula, the Liberal Democrats have worked with Labour on
areas of mutual interest, such as
constitutional reform, but have opposed the Government in other
areas such as spending on health and education and preparation for the euro.
The
constitutional reform pledges within in the Programme for Government map onto six key
areas: parliamentary
reform; electoral
reform; Europe; decentralisation; transparency and freedom
of information; and, a written constitution.
Other cabinet ministers, including James Purnell - who is pushing for a swift review
of party funding to clean up another
area of concern to voters - Harriet Harman and Hilary Benn are also backing a debate on
constitutional and electoral
reforms.
By contrast Labour have continued trying to point up
areas of agreement: this morning Gordon Brown said he was «surprised» that the Lib Dem leader had not backed him over
constitutional reform of the Commons and the House
of Lords.
There won't be a single bullet that cures all
areas of disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but real
constitutional reform would have important symbolic significance to ensure that our foundational document removes the racist elements that still pervade our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.