Labour will tomorrow launch its plan to reform Parliament and change the way politics works. As well as plans to consult on new powers for the Speaker to tackle the worst and repeated instances of rowdy behaviour in the Chamber with a so-called ‘sin bin’, the document will outline plans to trial online voting, extend the franchise to 16-and-17-year-olds and ban MPs from holding paid directorships and consultancies.

At an event in Parliament, Shadow Leader of the Commons, Angela Eagle, will unveil Labour’s plan to reverse our democratic decline. It includes:

 1.   Overhauling elections with measures including introducing votes at 16 and trialling online voting

2.   Changing how Parliament works with a Prime Minister’s Questions for the public, action to tackle rowdy behaviour that research found it turns the public off, and a new process for law-making that gives people a say

3.   Tackling vested interests by regulating MPs’ 2nd jobs and creating compulsory rules for lobbyists

4.   And devolving power across the UK and replacing the Lords with a Senate of the Nations and Regions.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Angela Eagle MP said:

“The recent debate over MPs’ second jobs reminds us that so much needs to change in Westminster. When trust in politics and politicians is already at a record low, only radical reform will restore faith in our political process.

“While the Tories and Lib Dems are stuck defending a tired and discredited status quo, Labour’s plan will deliver the reform our politics needs. We will reform the Commons to strengthen its ability to hold the government to account. And we will ensure our political system always puts people before rich and powerful vested interests. 

“Our politics works on an adversarial system, but sometimes MPs take it too far and it turns the public off. A Labour government will consult on new powers for the Speaker to curb the worst forms of repeated barracking.”