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and suggest a number of ways this could be done ... e.g. fixed term parliaments, more free votes in Parliament, more robust committee structures ... all arguably good ideas in their own right ... but why not a little more proportional representation and referendums etc too ... is this because they, just like the Labour party, benefit so greatly from the current system* ?
... is this really "Power to the People" or just "Power to Politicians", as the suggestions made don't really give people more say, just more/different politicians more of a say.
If Poweromics** is going to be addressed, Politicians will need to go much further than this.
"Democracy should happen every day, not just on election day"
* We only get a say/vote once every five years in a general election, and even then only a small minority of votes actually make a difference as to which of the two main parties gets in Government ... the only votes that effectively 'count' are fringe votes in marginal constituencies (2-3% of the total) - and that's why the two main parties keep changing the voting boundaries too! 21st Century democracy? ... and yet we often hear politicians quote our 'democracy' as an example for others to follow!
** Poweromics = People using position and power for their own personal gain, based on poor moral values, self interest and greed.
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Posted on Have your Say - Tuesday, 26 May, 2009
Democracy should happen 'every day', not just on 'election day'.
The proposals are a start but do not go far enough. They do not give more 'power to the people', just more 'power to politicians'.
The internet is creating a new platform for democracy – where everyone can communicate/see what is happening, express their views/concerns, suggest ideas for improvement and have their say on the priorities/changes needed.
The nations already doing this are gaining trust (and ideas!) as a result.
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