tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post1074663179166414389..comments2023-11-25T01:16:22.368+00:00Comments on DAILY REFERENDUM: British Democracy is not working.Daily Referendumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00899003349232334603noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-39375603725334624582008-06-24T04:48:00.000+01:002008-06-24T04:48:00.000+01:00Josephine's comment is interesting, especially for...Josephine's comment is interesting, especially for those of us who have watched "House of Cards".<BR/><BR/>Although we are currently selecting our own PPC, and a friend of mine who is involved in the current (interview) stage has confirmed they are playing it dead straight, we are of limited to those who were on the approved list. Who knows what Party Central Office might (or, equally, might not) have on any or all of them?<BR/><BR/>On the democracy question itself, I have been saying for several years now that we have a Soviet-style dictatorship a long way towards finalisation in this country.<BR/><BR/>I've written it in various places, stated it in the Council Chamber several times (always to noises and heckling from the Labour councillors) and made no secret of my views in other places as well.<BR/><BR/>My own experiences on the inside of both the Civil Service and the local council have allowed me to see it all coming, right from the early stages a decade ago.<BR/><BR/>If we wish for a restoration of any true form of democracy we shall need a wholesale overhaul of the system, including (but going even further than) changes such as those proposed in this article and comments. Will we ever get it? Who knows...John M Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06251285057595626917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-39680098242456565172008-06-23T13:59:00.000+01:002008-06-23T13:59:00.000+01:00Since when did the UK adopt US style presidential ...Since when did the UK adopt US style presidential elections?<BR/>When I vote in a general election my vote is for a local candidate, not a political party and certainly not for a Prime minister.<BR/><BR/>They used to say the democracy didn't work but it was better than the alternatives. <BR/>At least they had an alternative!<BR/>What we have is a dictatorship masquerading as democracy<BR/><BR/>PS I agree with you. Ban all whips. make each vote a free vote. Pay MPs according to the time spent in teh chamber or in their constituency office. League tables for all MPsDavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00448711775318691029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-81119880179303256272008-06-23T13:40:00.000+01:002008-06-23T13:40:00.000+01:002. All (ALL) votes in the House of Commons should ...2. All (ALL) votes in the House of Commons should be free votes. Anyone trying to coerce support through threat or favour should face criminal charges.<BR/><BR/>insert 'and secret' between free and votes and you have the makings of a democracy.<BR/><BR/>The electorate have a secret vote to prevent threats and coercion.haddockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01890864334999930139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-33223367847633618812008-06-23T10:07:00.000+01:002008-06-23T10:07:00.000+01:00The problem is that the government claims our civi...The problem is that the government claims our civil liberties are not presently under attack, which suggests that we have a very stupid government with no incentive to change the rules.Letters From A Toryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14612766550608940053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-34880110436298331922008-06-23T08:20:00.000+01:002008-06-23T08:20:00.000+01:00There is certainly great disdain for democracy the...There is certainly great disdain for democracy these days and it comes right from the top - the gloves are now off.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-53798184725772091862008-06-23T00:30:00.000+01:002008-06-23T00:30:00.000+01:00"Do you think that a government should be able to ..."Do you think that a government should be able to three line whip its MPs on matters of civil liberty? "<BR/><BR/>No. But even if the practice is officially abolished, won't it continue to be used unofficially?<BR/><BR/>I have a sneaky suspicion that nowadays, no prospective MP is even *considered* for selection unless he has at least one dirty little secret which can be used to whip him/her with when the time comes.<BR/><BR/>Oh dear, such cynicism isn't at all becoming in a lady, is it?<BR/>JOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149296713213520917.post-27596203918500431112008-06-22T22:57:00.000+01:002008-06-22T22:57:00.000+01:00Right Steve - we're on the post democracy era - ju...Right Steve - we're on the post democracy era - just look at next year's Irish referendum.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.com