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These months could become a great moment in British political history, rather than a shabby footnote to a shameful month of scandal
Nick Clegg
Nick Clegg has said MPs should be banned from taking their summer holidays until the current political crisis is addressed.
Writing in the Guardian, the Liberal Democrat leader outlined a plan to accelerate reform of the political system in the wake of the expenses row.
"I'm setting out a plan of action to get all the changes we need delivered in just 100 days - making it possible for MPs to be sacked by their constituents, abolishing the House of Lords, getting corrupt money out of politics and changing the electoral system to give a voice to everyone," he said.
And Clegg added that politicians should "bar the gates of Westminster and stop MPs leaving for their summer holidays until this crisis has been sorted out".
The Lib Dem leader claimed that both Labour and the Conservatives have been too timid, and called David Cameron's proposals "well-judged rhetoric free of substance and conviction".
"So instead of long-term consideration of the possibility of tinkering, let us have 100 days of real action: swift, decisive and confident," he said.
"It really is possible. The details of a reformed system of party funding have already been thrashed out between the parties, months ago.
"Sir Hayden Phillips secured outline agreement to ban donations of more than £50,000, limit spending to £100m over a parliament and shake up union contributions."
He added that on House of Lords reform, "the principles of a fully elected chamber have already been exhaustively debated and adopted by MPs".
There should also be a referendum in early September on proportional representation for the Commons "as the culmination of 100 days of reform".
"Together, over the next 100 days, we could achieve nothing less than the total reinvention of British politics," said Clegg.
"These months could become a great moment in British political history, rather than a shabby footnote to a shameful month of scandal.
"Let us seize, not squander, the opportunity for change."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd