Fleet Street divided on extent of reform

As the debate over parliamentary reform continues, the media appears divided over the extent to which an overhaul of the political system is required.

The Times says in its leading article that David Cameron has begun to define his concept of 'progressive conservatism'.

The paper says the Tory leader's argument on devolving more power to the public was persuasive.

"There are some blind spots in Mr Cameron's analysis. The excessive discipline of whipping votes through the House of Commons is surely a bigger problem than Mr Cameron allows," it adds.

"It was disappointing to hear him raise the idea of fixed-term parliaments without being at all clear what he thinks about it."

The Times also cautions that the redistribution of power will "be difficult to accomplish".

But it adds: "If we were unclear about the nature of progressive conservatism yesterday, then we are clearer today."

The Guardian also sees some opportunity in the current political crisis, saying there is "a chance here to build a far better constitution, and ideas for improvement abound".

And the starting point for change should be "the system that sends MPs to Parliament".

"Electoral reform is a mechanical process; it is not going to excite many people or restore trust in MPs immediately," added the paper.

"But while the system by which Parliament is chosen remains broken, Westminster will never be fixed. However much the whips are restrained, or committees geed up, the place will be faulty."

But the Telegraph, which has set the agenda on MPs' expenses, takes issue with the arguments being made for reform.

It says it is "the character and the conduct of our politicians that are at issue here, not structures or procedures or regulations".

And the newspaper rejects the call for electoral reform, saying that a system of proportional representation is "supremely irrelevant to this crisis".

"It is the quality of the people who represent us at Westminster that matters, not the machinery we use to elect them," it emphasises.

Ironically, however, the Independent suggests that it is the Telegraph's scoops which could prompt reform.

"The public's furious response to those revelations has opened the door to a root and branch reform of our political system," it says.

"It might seem odd to advocate granting greater powers to Parliament given the air of disgrace that hangs over the institution, but that is precisely the medicine Westminster needs."

The Independent also calls for more power to be given to local councils and for the process of reforming the House of Lords to finally be completed.

And it backs a "modified constituency system" of proportional representation and the introduction of fixed-term parliaments.

"This newspaper believes that, if presented with a sufficiently bold programme, the public will also decisively favour still more radical reform of our political system," the Independent adds.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, says there are "worrying questions" about Cameron's "distinctly unConservative" reform proposals.

Strengthening backbenchers and devolving more power would be welcomed, says the paper.

"But as for some of Mr Cameron's other proposals - broadcasting parliamentary proceedings on YouTube, sending the public text-message updates on the passage of bills, promising Commons debates on issues raised by popular petitions - don't these come straight from the Tony Blair Book of Political Gimmicks?" it asks.

"Indeed, isn't this all a crazy exercise in displacement?"

The Sun says the Conservative leader is "setting the pace" and welcomes proposals for reform - except the introduction of proportional representation.

"But promises are not enough," it adds. "Once elected, prime ministers rarely give away real power. What we need is a clear programme for reform, spelled out in election manifestos. And locked into a strict timetable for implementation in one parliament."

The Daily Mirror focuses on the narrow issue of allowing voters to force 'recall ballots' for unpopular MPs.

"Now we've caught the interest of politicians on the rack, let's hear more about handing back power to the people," it adds.