We need a change in politics away from the politics of populism which got us into some of these difficulties. The easy solution was to state that money was available and one might as well spend it. As we in the House all recognise, too often we work on a constituency-oriented basis rather than on a policy-based basis. This was one of the primary causes for us failing to see the policy mistakes that were taken in recent years and to adjust accordingly. This will have to change. We will also have to change so there is no question of undue corporate influence clouding political policy judgment. I am very keen to see the Government delivering on its commitment to end corporate donations so that a hint or possibility of such influence does not exist. These are some of the key changes we need to make if we are to learn lessons from what went wrong in recent years.

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