Whoever wins the election will have to make some tough decisions in order to improve public confidence in the political system.
Turnout among students remains low with many feeling disenchanted with the electoral system. How will the parties improve confidence and encourage you to get out and vote?
Votes at 16 and electoral reform, both supported by NUS, are gaining support inside and outside of Westminster. Our political system may be transformed by the next government, what solutions do they have?
Conservatives
Replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights; introduce individual voter registration; give non-English MPs less of a say on England-only legislation; allow voters to remove MPs; ban ex-ministers from lobbying for two years after leaving office; cut the number of MPs by 10%; force Parliament to debate a motion or bill if sufficient numbers petition for it; equalise constituency electorate size; reject voting system reform; limit special adviser numbers; support largely-elected House of Lords; oppose reform of Westminster voting system; support tax-raising powers for Scottish Parliament and law-making powers for Welsh Assembly.
Labour
Highlight record of constitutional reform, including devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, legislating to remove remaining hereditary peers and committed to making the Lords predominantly elected; would hold a referendum on adopting the Alternative Vote system for Westminster elections by October 2011; replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights; support tax-raising powers for Scottish Parliament and law-making powers for Welsh Assembly; accept cap on political donations as part of reform package that includes increased state funding of political parties and reduced spending limits.
Liberal Democrats
Introduce a written constitution, pending approval in a referendum, including a Bill of Rights; single transferable vote (STV) system for all UK elections; replace House of Lords with elected second chamber; support tax-raising powers for Scottish Parliament and law-making powers for Welsh Assembly; cut MP numbers by 150; reduce minister numbers; referenda on directly elected regional assemblies in England; cap political donations; limit political party spending, but boost state funding; give 16-year-olds the right to vote and stand for election; debate six legislative proposals a year that prove most popular with voters; introduce fixed four year parliamentary terms.
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NUS does not support or endorse any political party or candidate who are running on a wide range of issues. NUS does not take responsibility for the accuracy of information on this page. The information was obtained through the individual political parties websites.