Over the past few weeks I have been contacted by a number of constituents regarding the right to recall Members of Parliament following the announcement in the Queen’s Speech. I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify my position.

I support the principle of a right to recall where an MP has been involved in serious misconduct. This would provide greater accountability and it would further empower constituents, and could also increase public engagement in politics and help to restore public trust. Recall could play an important role in giving people a bigger say if we get the detail right.

The Government’s legislation, when published, will be scrutinised in great detail, but I am not in favour of a rerun of the Government’s draft Bill which was hopelessly inadequate and proposed nothing more than enhancing the House of Commons’ internal disciplinary procedures. There is a real risk that such a system will be seen as the political establishment closing ranks and could lose the confidence of the public.

Any system of recall also has to be designed in such a way that will avoid powerful vested interests from taking action against MPs, where no wrongdoing has happened, but they simply dislike the way a politician has voted on controversial issues.

As stated, I believe that the right of recall could play an important role in our democracy and that is why I will be closely studying the Government’s plans as and when they are published.