British Politics Goes Viral

Political reform, that is:

From OpenUpNow.org:

It's a space for every Briton who cares about our country’s future. It's the sum total of everyone who signs this petition. Open Up's goal is to promote real, positive and long-term changes to the way our country is run; to increase transparency, fairness and accountability in elections and government; and to challenge the culture of patronage that defines our political system today.

For those new to the parliamentary system, Britain does not directly nominate its candidates (although the Tories have now started open primaries among pre-selected candidates and Labour's Miliband supports the idea). The duck reference?

A five foot tall floating duck house claimed from the public purse by Tory grandee Sir Peter Viggers has become one of the most bizarre items so far uncovered in the MPs’ expenses investigation.

Further explanation of open primaries here. Sign the petition here.