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The Electoral Reform Society has called for both sides of the EU referendum debate to deal with the “democratic deficit” it claims Britain faces ahead of a showdown debate between First Minister Carwyn Jones and Ukip leader Nigel Farage .

Mr Jones and Mr Farage will face each other on Monday in a debate hosted by the Institute of Welsh Affairs at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The Society is calling for a “real debate” on Britain’s democratic relationship with Europe and has set out four key recommendations:

change the voting system for electing MEPs from a “closed list” to an open, candidate-centred electoral system, the Single Transferable Vote;

consensus should be sought with ministers in the devolved nations on the stances taken by the government during EU policy negotiations;

allow ministers from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to take part in meetings of the EU’s Council of Ministers;

and open up the EU policy-making process to enable citizens to become more involved.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: “There are clearly major democratic issues with the EU which both sides have to face up to.

Related story: Welsh pro-EU referendum campaign set to launch

“We need a real debate – beyond simple in/out divides – on Britain’s future, whether that is in or out of Europe.

“Carwyn Jones has in the past raised the issue of the so-called ‘Bridgend Question’ – the fact that in the European Council of Ministers, Britain’s case on for example farming policy is always put by Westminster’s Minister for Agriculture, regardless of whether Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland Ministers agree to the line or not.

“Now he needs to address this question in the context of the referendum. If voters choose to stay in the EU, how should this and other aspects of the democratic deficit be addressed?

“And there are questions for Nigel Farage too – if Britain does vote to leave the EU, it will have no say over the trade rules we’ll need to comply with in order to conduct our business with Europe.

Read more: Warning that quitting the EU could hurt Welsh science

“How will Britain outside Europe ensure that citizens and their elected government have real influence over these issues?

“And if Wales votes to stay in the UK but England votes to leave should England’s votes pull Wales out of the EU?”

Ms Ghose said that if the UK leaves the EU we will need a constitutional convention of citizens to look at how we move forward as a democracy after what will be a huge political change.

She said we would also need to ensure people in Wales and the UK as a whole have some say on whatever treaties or trade relationships we sign up to.

If we remain in the EU she said there were vital reforms we must make to improve the UK’s democratic relationship with the EU and give Wales more of a voice over European affairs.

Ms Ghose said: “For a start the voting system for the EU elections puts power in the hands of parties, rather than citizens, allowing party bosses to draw up candidate lists behind closed doors.

“We need a system which lets the public decide.

“And ministers from the devolved nations should have a right to hold UK ministers to account on the stances taken by the government during negotiations.

Read more: Welsh farming 'could end' if UK votes for Brexit in EU referendum, warns Carwyn Jones

“The discussions in the run-up to the vote affect people in Wales, as well as Scotland and Northern Ireland, significantly – whether it’s in terms of employee rights or free trade, environmental legislation or government vetoes.

“And if we vote to stay in Welsh ministers should have the opportunity to take part in meetings of the Council of Ministers.

“It is not right that they are locked out of essential debates. Other EU countries such as Germany and Belgium allow federal regions to participate – there’s no reason we can’t.”