Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Voting Reform
The production of “This House” was the latest of the superb series being put out by The National Theatre this week.
If anyone saw this or the later production at the Garrick Theatre as I did, will have had a demonstration of the competitive & confrontational nature of our politics.
Unfortunately the reality is not half as funny.
After the frenzy of the last three years this seemed to subside with the onset of the Virus.
Much to the relief of the public who appeared to welcome the new regime of constructive criticism.
There have even been occasions when M.P.s on both sides managed to agree and changed or influenced Government policy.
With the relaxation of the lockdown there are concerted efforts to revert to the old party divisions very much breached since the referendum.
It is hardly surprising as it is very much in the interest of the main parties to reinstate these as their control over the electorate was in great danger of being lost permanently.
God forbid that that should happen! Where would they be?
They would be less powerful, less important and others would have an opportunity to speak for people.
They might even get to govern, quite possibly better than either of the current contenders (Labour or Conservative parties) either alone or in coalition.
In addition to the temporary modernising of the workings of Parliament with the now ceased remote voting etc., perhaps it is about time we changed the whole democratic system with voting reform.
In a new post-virus world where we are told nothing will ever be the same a better system of selecting our representatives to suit this is surely what is needed.
Tags for Forum Posts: Parliamentary, Reform
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PeterPiper on
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Keir Starmer pointed out that the motions voted through on Tuesday via the "Mogg-Conga" were against the law during PMQs because they amounted to indirect discrimination under the Equalities Act legislation. I'm sure many people noticed this. You couldn't make it up. Yah-boo!
I watched the recent NT production, it was very good and exposed the ridiculously archaic system we are taught is the "Mother of all Parliaments" IMHO.
Not fit for the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first. If you can work from home...
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Permalink Reply by Neil on
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I'm pleased we have got a strong and stable government thanks to the present electoral system.
I'm optimistic it will work well for the next five years of this election term. I think the debates in the House of Commons are the best in the world by politicians. If you listen to the European Parliament debate an issue, you will find it dull and that the elected members nearly all vote for the motion put to them by unelected officials.
I cannot think of another parliament in the world where the debate is so open, robust and influential.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Waller on
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I would digress - notwithstanding the fact that the present electoral system allows parties to ignore swathes of the country that constitute safe seats; most of the time PMQs, and Commons debates in general, are prime examples of political Kayfabe (a term used in pro wrestling) - the enactment of a debate to reach a predetermined result. The Select Committees are far better in terms of generating useful insights.
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Permalink Reply by K. E. Hubbard on
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The strong & stable Government argument does not really stand up anymore.
The current Government was elected to carry out a specific task.
Largely this was to shut down the disruption being caused by the resistance to the Brexit decision.
There was an article in the Evening Standard by an northern ex Labour MP who claimed that had it not been for Nigel Farage the Tories would have got another (I think) twenty seats. This would have given them a win under any electoral system.
Their result was greatly helped by the abysmal state of the opposition.
Prior to this Government in this country had been by parties elected on a minority vote, with small majorities or coalitions, official & unofficial.
This had been the case for many years with perhaps the exception of the middle Thatcher years & the early Blair period.
Little of this is Government by consent or public acclaim.
The recent Mogg-Conga is interesting. Partly because of the belief that a live debate or Committee Meeting is believed to have some value, rather than a virtual one.
Also the belief of Mogg that if MPs were not forced into Parliament they would be quite happy to spend all their time at home, presumably with their feet up.
It is a point worthy of thought.
Again though we are bedevilled by the “Either Or” argument. All in or all out, with no scope for evolution or development to meet changing circumstances with modern technology.
I personally am more than happy for many of the traditions to continue, The Speaker & his wig, the procedural rituals etc. They constitute a personality, many of these although appearing odd are of great value, they are though largely superficial.They are also fun.
It is the practical side that has to be reformed
The whole electoral system has to be broadened to deal with today’s circumstances.
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