Sat Feb 11, 2017 5:56 pm
#1518717
in a freeish democracy with a freeish media scene, the solution is simple:
Unfortunately it isn't.
First of all people tend to vote for parties not candidates.
The parties select candidates who will fit the mould.
The structure of constituencies can mean that a party with the losing overall popular vote gets the power.
There is no simple or ideal solution, but at present the whole system is at risk because of a weak and venal government with zero effective opposition. For democracy that is the real worry, because it means that there are no policies driven by principle and no evidence backed programmes that will work.
Whatever your views on the pros and cons of Brexit the referendum was a symptom of this deep seated malaise because it was about trying to marginalise UKIP and appease the right wing of the Tory party, so that Cameron could win an election and stay in power.
If having that political structure is what taking back control means, it'll just raise a hollow laugh from me
Devolution should be a side show in this discussion really, because it ought to be about local democracy and local accountability for local issues, not international diplomacy.
John Milner Fairly tolerant PPL/IR flying a TB 20 from Gloucestershire and Flyer Club member