Voter apathy is frustrating, but under the democtatic system we operate a minority can win. Take Brexit for example, probably the most polarising issue in my lifetime, it was won by just over 37% of the electorate. I'd prefer compulsory voting with an abstain (or none of the above) option.
A non of the above option would at least send a message to Westminster that the electorate is not happy with the way any party is likely to treat us.
I'd like to see PR too. I was always against it but something needs to change to encourage engagement in elections. If you're in my constituency and you don't want to vote Labour (as I mostly do) you may as well not bother TBH, but if your vote counted towards a national collective then that's a game changer. The argument against PR (which I mistakenly subscribed to) was that it would bring chaos like we see in places like Italy and Greece. I know now which model looks strong and stable!
Got to be honest don’t know the ins and outs of PR , could someone confirm that this would mean the lunatic left and right could possibly have a platform in Westminster
Another of Boris's mates kicked out for an abuse of power, bit of a theme isn't it ... ... I wonder if it'll be in his newspaper column this week. Former Tory whip Chris Pincher has resigned his seat after losing his appeal against a proposed Commons suspension for drunkenly groping two men. It means the government will face another by-election. The Parliament's standards committee found the Tamworth MP groped two men at London's Carlton Club. It described his "completely inappropriate" behaviour as an "abuse of power".
The operative word there was "power" before any of the usual suspects come along with their "But Labour" defence.
Says the most usual of suspects. Saying the same thing over and over again to the only other person he thinks is on the thread
Potentially but only on the percentages they exist in a democratic process, so a voice but no power. They have a voice anyway online but rarely get challenged on their fake memes and false statements. It’s the beliefs that exist that make people vote that way. I’d argue Johnson Truss and Kwarteng were lunatics to be honest. With PR at least it’s a more balanced representation of the national view. It’s rare that the elected party have the majority support of the country which I think is a bit lunatic on it’s own, it should be more like the reflective view of the nation which I’d say strengthen the middle. People say it may affect local representation but you’d still have councillors and in reality a lot of career politicians are shipped in to seats anyway.
Dominic Cummins want to start a new political party to replace the rotten horror show of the Torry party. To be informally called The Start up Party, and be in place by Christmas. Not sure whether to laugh, or cry.
Very good Personally, l can't see who would believe him after he left the politicl circus the way he did. Farage will be knocking at his doors if he see the opportunity.
Boris's reality: "Historic - ground breaking - world class." Actual reality: 'The UK's newest railway line had more cancellations than any other, new Office of Rail and Road figures show. A total of 9.1% of services on the Elizabeth line did not run in the four weeks to 19 August, followed by CrossCountry at 7.5%.'
Did someone say 'memoir to promote' "The former Conservative minister Rory Stewart has said some fellow MPs came very close to killing themselves when he was in the Commons, and the life of a politician placed an “almost unsustainable” strain on people. Stewart, who was international development secretary and stood to be Tory leader before leaving the Commons in 2019, said other former colleagues experienced “total breakdowns in public”. Speaking to GB News before the publication of a new memoir, Stewart discussed the mental health toll on MPs. He said: “I don’t want to talk about the specifics because this is deeply personal to people but, yes, colleagues tried to kill themselves."
TBF to Stewart, he talked about this with Alastair Campbell on their podcast recently. Campbell also spoke about his experience of MPs and their struggles with mental health including suicidal thoughts. Appreciate Campbell is a controversial figure but I'll listen to what he has to say. Also have a lot of time for Stewart, his brand of one nation Conservatism is far more palatable than the current **** show.
No one makes them be MPs though ... ... if they can't handle it they can just do something else. Perhaps they could be policemen, firemen or NHS workers which is a doddle, stress free and just as highly paid.
Not disagreeing with that necessarily, and maybe my viewpoint comes from a different persp. My late uncle was an MP (labour), came from a mining community, did 20+ years down the pit then went into politics representing his community. Poor bloke only wanted to do his best for his people, ended up being wheelchaired through the voting lobby when terminally ill for a crucial vote. ****s He talked to me about the pressure he faced mentally. We're far better at recognising strain in mental health now. We should learn from it.
That's very fair mate and I wouldn't want to denigrate the decent politicians, of which there are many ... ... more than people believe imo.
The last thing I'll add about my uncle is they he rented a room from a landlady in Plumstead. Nee apartment in Vauxhall or nowt like that
