Post subject: Re: Millionaire N London Barrister leads Labour
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:17 pm
The Ghost of '99
Player Coach
Joined: Feb 26 2006 Posts: 3092
Sal Paradise wrote:Come on - we have democracy - but you only like it when you get the output you want - typical socialist
We have an unelected head of state and an unelected upper house of parliament. Now I'm quite conservative on the head of state thing but the upper chamber we have now is a joke.
The method of electing the lower chamber is also not great but it's democratic, of a fashion.
"Brian McDermott, with a wry smile, nods when asked if he remembers a specific incident which made him realise he was a prick. 'I do', he murmurs."
Post subject: Re: Millionaire N London Barrister leads Labour
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:46 pm
IR80
Club Captain
Joined: Jun 24 2019 Posts: 2215
The Ghost of '99 wrote:We have an unelected head of state and an unelected upper house of parliament. Now I'm quite conservative on the head of state thing but the upper chamber we have now is a joke.
The method of electing the lower chamber is also not great but it's democratic, of a fashion.
So, how would you change it, root and branch? It's easy to spout rhetoric whilst not having any real ideas. I am genuinely interested to know what and how you would change.
Post subject: Re: Millionaire N London Barrister leads Labour
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:19 pm
The Ghost of '99
Player Coach
Joined: Feb 26 2006 Posts: 3092
IR80 wrote:So, how would you change it, root and branch? It's easy to spout rhetoric whilst not having any real ideas. I am genuinely interested to know what and how you would change.
House of Lords replaced by a directly elected body of say 300. Elected on fixed, six year terms, with 100 being up for election every two years. They can run for re-election only once and would represent 10 broadly similarly-sized geographic areas on a proportional representational basis (i.e. 10 get voted in each election from each area). The chamber would inherit from the Lords its powers of oversight and scrutiny which would be reinforced with more powers on areas of governmental misconduct and enforcing constitutional norms (if we must persist with the latter system rather than an actual written constitution). The lower house remains the main legislative arm of government but the upper house ensures the laws being passed are well-written, workable and stand up to constitutional scrutiny.
"Brian McDermott, with a wry smile, nods when asked if he remembers a specific incident which made him realise he was a prick. 'I do', he murmurs."
Post subject: Re: Millionaire N London Barrister leads Labour
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:34 pm
Mild Rover
Moderator
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12647 Location: Leicestershire.
I’d like to see a proportion of ‘Lords’ appointed by lottery, similar to jury service. For the rest, I’d happily get behind Ghost’s suggestion.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
IR80 wrote:So, how would you change it, root and branch? It's easy to spout rhetoric whilst not having any real ideas. I am genuinely interested to know what and how you would change.
In the Economist's ranking of democracies (Democracy Index) the smaller Nordic countries occupy most of the top places. However, Canada (7th) and Australia (9th) are also ahead of the UK (14th) - so clearly there are examples out there that we can learn from. We should also try and minimise/ eliminate any interference from non UK organisations and individuals. Anyone who has seen the recent documentary series about Murdoch must surely be appalled at the hold he has had over UK politics for the last 40 years or so - and now of course we have Russian funding of political parties. Politics has always attracted some pretty questionable characters, but in recent times it has definitely got worse rather than better.
Post subject: Re: Millionaire N London Barrister leads Labour
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:36 pm
Sal Paradise
International Chairman
Joined: Feb 27 2002 Posts: 18060 Location: On the road
The Ghost of '99 wrote:We have an unelected head of state and an unelected upper house of parliament. Now I'm quite conservative on the head of state thing but the upper chamber we have now is a joke.
The method of electing the lower chamber is also not great but it's democratic, of a fashion.
The head of state has no power it is purely ancient history and keeps the tourists coming. The house of lords is a joke and needs disbanding or it needs to reduced to 100 previous senior MPs.
As for elections they are as democratic as they come - you can argue against first past the post and argue for proportional representation - the fact that every adult has a vote and they can vote for whoever is prepared to stand in their ward makes it democratic - what more do you want? Other than have only Labour allowed to stand?
Your job is to say to yourself on a job interview does the hiring manager likes me or not. If you aren't a particular manager's cup of tea, you haven't failed -- you've dodged a bullet.
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