Politicians are leaving for their three-month break from Westminster amid a flurry of ideas for beefing up our democracy. They range from Canadian-style cuts in public spending to upping the quotient of goats – outsiders who are supposed to provide a government of all the talents. Most schemes are, well, controversial. Take the Canadian option, aired at the new Institute for Government which was set up last month in a handsome building a stroll away from Whitehall. The institute is non-party political although it is funded by former Labour minister and donor Lord Sainsbury of Turville.