Changes happen without opinions

10:07am Friday 4th May 2012 in Your letters

I believe we use the word democracy without due consideration.

Many changes are made to our lives by the political parties while they are in power, without consulting the people. These changes include: the new West Dorset council offices, the sea front lights, high density housing, purchase of redundant naval married quarters for social cleansing of large cities, grouping housing development negatively affecting school performance and increasing crime, vastly increased traffic density, introduction of school academies and closure of colleges.

On a national level it is introducing demographic change and party political control tantamount to appointing a ruling elite, i.e. MPs who are then controlled by the whip or sponsors.

We should all take the responsibility of voting but we don’t have to accept what is on offer.

In other words we could take back power into the hands of the people if most of us wrote on our ballot papers ‘none of the above’.

Consequently the people would have to be consulted about what political grouping they would accept.

That would be more democratic than our present system.

Name and address supplied

Comments(2)

Genghis says...
6:42pm Fri 4 May 12

All that writing "none of the above" on the ballot paper would achieve would be to add to the number of spoiled papers that are included in the count. The election would still be won by the candidate that received most unspoilt votes. Even if you got 100% of the electorate to write "none of the above" on the ballot forms how would the people then be consulted about what political grouping they would accept? Another election per chance?

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JamesYoung says...
7:05pm Fri 4 May 12

The only answer: ban political parties. Candidates get voted in as individuals. They then select a PM from amongst their number based on merit. No whips and no policies forced down MPs throats. It might be harder to get big decisions made, but individuals who are not casting one eye to party politics are more likely to vote freely based on their opinion. A side effect: less mess in the public sector where, let's be honest, policy is currently decided based on what a party thinks it can do without attracting adverse publicity and lost votes. Example: it's clear to us that the welfare state needs a dramatic overhaul and everybody on state benefits for non health reasons should be earning those benefits. It will never happen because whichever party introduces it will suffer from the other parties, who privately think the same think but see a chance to win votes by objecting. In a parliament without parties, where only individual careers are at risk, some of these tougher decisions might get made.

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