THE WHOLE POLITICAL SYSTEM NEEDS REFORM - NOT JUST MPs' EXPENSES
May 28, 2009 6:00 AM
In North Devon Journal
In North Devon Journal
One unexpected consequence of Parliament's expenses scandal has been the growing recognition that this is a symptom of a wider problem. Our whole political system needs major reform, not just the expenses.
Many people want a general election and I agree that Gordon Brown can't limp on another year. The wheels are coming off his Government, and both Parliament and Government now lack the moral authority to lead the nation.
Huge decisions are needed about the economy, and the horrific realisation that climate change is happening faster than we thought. An election would give fresh authority to whoever wins to make those tough decisions.
What a weird system we have, where the incumbent chooses the election date. It is like letting Sir Alex Ferguson choose the cup final date for when he knows his players are fit and the opposition's are injured. America, France, Germany and others manage well with fixed terms, holding elections at set four or five yearly intervals - we should do the same.
A British Government has unhealthy power over our Parliament. An American President putting a Bill before Congress has no idea whether it will be passed, amended or thrown out. He has to win the argument - as Barack Obama is finding out.
British Governments bulldoze measures through Parliament through a combination of bribery (120 MPs on its pay roll as ministers and aides) and bullying (through our whipping system).
All this is compounded by our corrupt voting system, which allows a Government to do all that without the support of a majority of voters. The present Government won only 36% of the vote, with just over half the electorate voting. So they only won the support of 20% - just one in five - of adults entitled to vote.
Even worse is the "safe seat" which our system creates. Entire elections are settled in just 150 marginal seats; 500 safe seats playing no meaningful part. And within the marginals a few hundred floating voters determine the outcome of the whole national election.
Modern pollsters know exactly who they are. Entire manifestos are written to attract them ~ everyone else's preferences are secondary. Surely a voting system giving everyone's vote equal impact would be far more democratic?
Devolving real power to local communities and councils is another vital reform - Britain is the most centralised country in the western world.
The final piece of the jigsaw is more public involvement, both over personal choices - of doctors, hospitals and schools - but also over national decisions like what we spend limited resources on.
Reform all of these big flaws in our democracy and perhaps some good will emerge from the ashes of Parliament's reputation.
What would you like to do next?
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