Re: Another Election | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Another Election

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thesweetcheat May 5, 2017 13:36:12

Replying to Littlestone

Littlestone wrote:

I honestly think we need to radically rethink how we do politics in this country. Maybe it’s already happening to some extent through social media. But, for example, I’d like to see the 100,000 figure (before an issue is debated in Parliament) dropped to 50,000. Proportional Representation of course, and also more referendums as in Switzerland (one already held there this year and three more scheduled for 21 May, 24 September, and 26 November 2017).

I guess the majority of politicians don’t want any of that though – it’d be putting to much power in the hands of the people!

Agreed on all of that (apart from maybe the need for more referenda :) )

We certainly need proportional representation if there's to be any real change. I've not seen all the results yet, but the West of England mayor caught my eye this morning. Elected with about 27% of the vote, so almost 3/4 of voters didn't vote for him, but that's what you get with first past the post, immediately making the majority of voters wondering why they bothered. As I said elsewhere in the thread, PR also tends to increase the number of female politicians, and female politicians tend to be more willing to work across party lines so politics becomes less adversarial and more co-operative. PR also reduces the short term nature of many politicians' thinking, where all they are really concerned about is grabbing votes and keeping their party in control, rather than doing the right thing (that's true on both left and right).

Social media can be too much of a bubble unfortunately. On this thread I've mainly engaged with the people I disagree with, on the basis that to only discuss with those who agree with you on everything leads to an echo chamber and it's easy to believe everyone thinks like you do.

Rhiannon May 5, 2017 13:44:38

Replying to thesweetcheat

To disagree with you as I feel I should -

The west of england mayor wasn't exactly FPTP, it involved a count of second choice votes.

which is a tiny bit better (not that it helped in this case)

have you seen the straw-drawing here
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/05/lib-dem-and-tory-candidates-draw-straws-in-northumberland-vote
it decided the colour of the whole council

nigelswift May 5, 2017 13:59:34

Replying to thesweetcheat

As you know, there are true PR systems and then there are faux ones which are neither proportional nor representative. No prizes for guessing which the Tories allowed a vote on and which ones they never will.

We are prisoners of a system which favours the majority and requires the assent of the majority to change. Not like Brexit where a single vote by a single person would have been enough to totally blow up our Constitution.

Littlestone May 5, 2017 14:13:52

Replying to thesweetcheat

Well, referendums don’t always have to be on big issues; the last three Swiss ones were on the federal decree of 30 September 2016, to allow easier naturalisation of third generation immigrants. One on 30 September 2016, to create a fund for national roads and urban infrastructure. One on the 17 June 2016, to overhaul the corporate tax code to attract and retain international firms. Maybe three or four a year for the UK would be too many but perhaps once a year; the issue to be decided by a 50,000 names petition to Parliament.

I mentioned social media above and this is where it could play an active part – ie in not only getting people thinking about issues but also in allowing them a say in the matter.