The Prime Minister and Government have outlined a framework for constitutional renewal that aims to reverse the apparent breakdown in trust in the political process.

At a Downing Street meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet agreed to establish a National Democratic Renewal Council (NDRC) and to introduce new provisions to the Constitutional Renewal Bill that will establish a new code of conduct for MPs and a new Parliamentary Standards Authority to supervise MPs? pay and expenses. The Bill is to go before Parliament by the end of the current Parliamentary session in July.

The Government will take a number of further steps, namely:

* Opening up for debate wider questions about political and constitutional reform
* Arranging cross-party talks on the modernisation of Parliament and issues such as the role of select committees and the ability of the public to petition Parliament and trigger debates.
* Conducting a wide-ranging debate throughout the country, via the NDRC, on key reform issues and reporting on the public?s priorities in the autumn.

Briefing journalists on the Constitutional Renewal plans on Tuesday, the Prime Minister?s spokesman said the Government wished to legislate ?as soon as possible? on the issues at hand. The Prime Minister is expected to announce further details next week.