"In the midst of all the rancour and recrimination, let us seize the moment to lift our politics to a higher standard."This speech had more in common with Dead Poets Society than a serious attempt reform the electoral system in Britain. Although it will be a long time before his fellow Labour MPs will stand up in support of their "Captain! My Captain!"
Excuse the cynicism, but this has all been said before. It is a pantomime performance that every time a government is in danger of losing a forthcoming election, it changes its rhetoric to a populist tagline. How many times in the past eighteen years has a Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition promised to "clean up" British politics. If they were true to their word perhaps now there would be a workable system in place.
However, amongst the predictable rhetoric from both sides of the House, there is potential for significant and actual change in the British political culture, which could usher in a new dawn of transparency and accountability. There also needs to an important discussion concerning the disenfranchisement of great swathes of the electorate.
Soon it will be time to judge Gordon Brown on his actions, not just his words... Carpe Diem, indeed.
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But there's no incentive under first-past-the-post to 'clean up'...
ReplyDeleteThe problem with our electoral system is that the carrot is hegemony. And what political party wouldn't want to eat that.
Proportional representation means that there are no landslides. Party politicians would have to find a way to work with each other - and that's just not the Westminster way...
Reform is always spoken of when the ruling elite scent electoral defeat. Why would would-be winners want reform - when the current system rewards so handsomely?
If (when) Cameron gets in the last thing he'll want to do is usher in a period of electoral reform. He'll simply want to ensure that he hangs onto power for more than one term... There is absolutely no incentive for him to reform - witness the continual refrain of 'fundamental belief in strong government'...
What I cannot understand is the continuing reluctance of the left to embrace electoral reform. In its purest form (and no, that does not mean alternative vote) it would ensure that the right was always marginalised...
What a pity the LibDems just don't seem to be able to cut the political mustard...at least they support reform!
Here here.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, the Lib Dems are the only party promising true electoral reform. With the current system most people's votes are of no consequence; seven out of ten constituencies are considered "safe".
ReplyDeleteBy introducing PR in the House of Commons, and maybe a more constituency based vote in the House of Lords, would usher a true representative and transparent democracy.
The German system is a template that would be a good starting point, by building a consensus rather than conflict more people are represented within their democracy.
Both the main parties are unwilling to change a system that will grant them power every ten/twelve year cycle (with the odd exception). I cannot help keep referring to Hannah Arendt's quote “The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.”
By the way, thanks for the support on the blog.
Wonderful quotation - to add to my store! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for taking time to keep up the blog - surely 'an essential form of expression in a liberal democracy'!...
Cannot agree with you more re German system - and the need for a reformed Upper House.