MPs set out new power measures

A programme with the aim of rolling back the state and giving individuals and companies extra power has been set out by Tory MPs.

The group, from the 2010 intake, laid out the “principled conservatism” measures, which could cause debate amongst the Coalition parties.

A pamphlet for think-tank Politeia outlined some of the plans, including the reversal of EU directives on deregulation in employment law and renewable energy.

It is expected that friction will be caused between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

Other ideas include a fully-elected House of Lords, and this would put the MPs on course to collide with their own party’s right wing, who strongly oppose changes proposed in the recent Queen’s Speech.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North-East Somerset, and Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, initiated the leaflet. 

They claim the pamphlet’s “common thread” was the notion of a principal conservatism backing the “individual against the state”, which hands people trust to make their own decisions. 

The pamphlet’s proposals include offering more participation of voters at each level of the state, ranging from referendums and directly-elected mayors on a local level, along with an elected Upper House.

Deregulation and tax breaks for firms are also noted in the pamphlet, along with an increased level of involvement for businesses in vocational and entrepreneurial education in schools.

Police cautions could also be phased out so as to make sure offenders are brought before the courts.

Mr Rees-Mogg also said there some people would lose out because of proposed deregulation, which too has contributions from Conservative MPs Simon Reevell, Craig Whittaker, Zac Goldsmith, David Mowat, John Stevenson, Jason McCartney, Fiona Bruce and James Morris. 

But he added: “If society is wrapped in cotton wool it will never prosper.”

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