Online petitions could carry more weight in debates and votes in Parliament under new Conservative proposals.

Although petitioning politicians has a long history, currently the Number 10 petitions do not have any link to Commons debates.

The Conservative Democracy Taskforce, chaired by former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, has suggested that a way is found to link the growing number of online petitions to Parliamentary debates.

Tory leader David Cameron welcomed the proposal saying a revival of the petition in British politics was a way to allow people direct access to their Parliament.

He said: “Parliament is supposed to be the watchdog of the constitution. It’s become more of a poodle under Blair.

“I welcome Ken’s suggestion that we look at ways to link petitions to Parliament with the debates that are actually held there.

"I would like to see a system whereby, if enough people sign an online petition in favour of a particular motion, then a debate is held in Parliament, followed by a vote – so that the public know what their elected representatives actually think about the issues that matter to them."

The proposal was one of a number of reforms the Taskforce put forward “designed to restore power to the people through their elected representatives and increase trust in politics”.

Others included a move towards US-style independence for Britain’s legislature, with new checks and balances on the power of Government and a significant boost in the independence and influence of of Select Committees along the model of US Congressional Committees.

The Taskforce also called for an increase in the powers held by individual MPs, making it easier to introduce non-party Bills, a reduction in party political slanging matches with more serious examination of government policy in committees, and much tougher scrutiny of Government waste, with prior justification required for spending decisions.

Cameron said: “We will now look at these proposals in detail and decide which should be put in our manifesto.”