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Topic: Re:Re:Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes
Posted by: Phil Andrews
Date/Time: 16/01/13 18:03:00

Whilst I agree wholeheartedly with John's comments I would suggest that our electoral system is only part of the problem, the other being the excessively tribal nature of our politics.

The system under which we live has it that almost all political discourse takes place between two or sometimes three very large and insular organisations, each of which operates a whip which ensures that unless a rebellion takes place the outcome of any vote is a foregone conclusion. 

This applies equally whether we are talking about our national Parliament or a local Council, the only difference being that in the latter case entirely predictable decisions are usually taken by a Cabinet rather than by the largest tribe outvoting the smaller tribe(s).  The Cabinet is, of course, effectively appointed by the largest tribe in the first place.

Whilst it would probably be unrealistic to envision a Parliament comprising 650 independents and whilst one must reluctantly accept that in the real world alliances will always be formed, the rigidity of the party system exacerbated by a FPTP method of voting which usually returns a single party to office in my view makes an utter mockery of the democratic ideal that we all claim to hold dear.

In other words FPTP adds insult to injury, but the injury is there already.

It is a popularly-held misconception that democracy and the current party system are synonymous, and that without one the other is not possible.  But democracy is about all people having a fair and equal say, it does not demand an inflexible party system which muffles the voice of the large number of voters, usually a majority, who fail to back the right horse.

Surely here and now in the 21st century and in this age of mass communications we should be looking at how our democracy works and deciding whether there may actually be a better way, and one that serves the ideal as opposed to stifling it?


Entire Thread
TopicDate PostedPosted By
Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes15/01/13 01:03:00 Phil Andrews
   Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes15/01/13 15:04:00 Vanessa Smith
      Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes16/01/13 00:56:00 Phil Andrews
         Re:Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes16/01/13 10:07:00 John Connelly
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes16/01/13 18:03:00 Phil Andrews
               Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes18/01/13 12:36:00 Patricia Nicholas
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Peers vote to block MP constituency boundary changes18/01/13 17:15:00 Phil Andrews

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