Off Topic Would you consider becoming a candidate for a Political Party?

Simple question, yes or no.



AllHell

 

No, but I respect those who put their head above the parapet, especially those more moderate MP's who receive death threats from extremists on both sides. The electorate expects miracles from them, and to those who moan about our politicians, they are only as good as the people who put them there.

 

No.

I'd consider becoming a dictator if I had the power, but not a member of the UK Parliament.
That lot at Westminster make the Freemasons look progressive and enlightened.

 

but if Charlton fans don't want to become MPs that leaves it to Millwall or West Ham fans for Labour and Oxford & Cambridge fans for the Tories …. Lib Dem MPs would support either Yeovil or Brighton

 

I'm no fan of the way our UK Parliament lords it over the British people.
Indeed I'm only for Brexit because I dislike the European Commission even more.

For about 350 years Parliament has been the real power in this country, and boy do they behave like it.
The whole Brexit debacle has shown that MP's have no respect at all for the democratic will of the people. All they want to do is take over the process and
A) twist it to their advantage
B) Kick it into the long grass
C) Kill it altogether.

Yes, they were elected to represent their constituencies.
But the 2016 referendum was not run along constituency lines.
It was a simple majority.
Your vote carried equal weight whether you were a remainer in Sunderland or a leaver in London.
A democratic decision that by-passed Parliament, and a result they mostly disagree with. And that's what they cannot stomach.

To Hell with the lot of them. Where is Guy Fawkes when you need him?

(PS: Apologies for turning this anti-Parliament rant into a Braxit rant. But they are really showing the whole Nation how useless they are as the end of March gets nearer by the day. Most people are thoroughly fed up with them I think).

 

I'd have to start telling whoppers and upset people.

It goes against the grain.

 

On the bright side, you only have to work four days a week and you get about 4 months off every year. Plus unlimited expenses

 

Have you thought about trying to improve things?

 

Daft comment

 

I missed the boat on this, as my children were young when I could have had a chance. I took the personal decision that I wanted to be a Dad first and a councillor/MP second. I haven't regretted it for a minute.

I take my hat off to anyone who devotes themselves to elected public service. There are a few knaves & charlatans in the profession, but the overwhelming majority from both major Parties are good people.

 

Another, even dafter comment

 

Didn't joining the Valley Party tempt you?

 

Surprisingly I wasn't invited.

 

You hear the same ill-informed comment made about teachers, always by those with zero knowledge of the work teachers do.

 

No, just a comment from outside Planet Westminster.

 

Many times. Here are a few examples;

• A circular, simply furnished and functional parliament chamber would be an improvement...
• ...inside a 21st century building which is actually fit for purpose.
• The abolition of all that ridiculous poncing around in wigs and tights waving maces around every few months.
• New laws being written on paper instead of goat skin.
• A written constitution.
• Abolition of the House of Lords.
• A second chamber elected on proportional representation.
• Abolition of all ties between Parliament and the Church - or any other form of religion.

Having a 19th Century Parliament that behaves like it's still in love with the 18th Century is not big or clever.
It is stupid and regressive, and frankly embarrassing.

 

I would, but the Westminster elite establishment would hate me...

 

A more realistic question would be Would you consider joining a political party?
As far as I know Royston and I are the only two who make this contribution to democracy. The idea is that you can make a (tiny) difference, rather than sit and moan about politicians. Most people have a natural affinity with one party or another.

 

They wouldn't like you, you wouldn't care?

 

You are on a roll today.

Parliament is a UNESCO world heritage site, to which hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren & tourists flock to visit every year. Today it has been packed for half term. School kids love it, and marvel at St Charles Bary’s architecture. It provides animated history in a far more relevant way than a text book ever could - the Churchill arch being just one of many examples. Just how close the Nqzis came to destroying the Chamber. Modern Parliament carbuncles are ten a penny - we should be rightly proud of the Mother of Parliament and the vast majority are. If you worked there you would feel the privilege every day .