Ok.
After recent events I think we're all agreed that anyone who actually wishes to become an MP shouldn't be allowed within a thousand miles of Westminster.
So what are the alternatives?
Fascism and Socialism would seem, after weighing up all the available evidence, to have a few basic flaws (such as a flagrant disregard of human nature) so we'll let those go.
Anarchy? Wonderful in small groups, until the boys with the sticks and the Special Brew turn up and ruin it for everyone (sighs, remembers the 80's, skins up and plays the Subhumans very loud indeed).
Benign dictatorship? Perfect, but now that Frank Zappa, Linda Smith and Spike Milligan are dead, who do we elect as ruler in perpetuity?
So, I propose this:
A random ballot to select our cabinet - three year term, everyone over 18 eligible, no exemptions.
Just to ensure that you do your best for the country, we take your family hostage as soon as you are selected for parliament.
We monitor your approval rating monthly and if it falls below 50% we execute a member of your family.
If you are found to be corrupt, we remove a limb of your choice.
If your approval rating is below 50% for three months in a row, we execute you.
Think this might focus the minds of those chosen and lead to a genuine improvement in our society.
Thoughts? 🙂
We monitor your approval rating monthly and if it falls below 50% we execute a member of your family.
Isn't that still democracy though?
I thought we already had an unelected dictator in charge??? I didnt elect him did you? or did anybody for that matter?
Sort of, but far more fun.
It's democracy "in action". 😀
We could auction off the rights as to who pulls the trigger/wields the knife and rebuild Boddingtons brewery with the proceeds.
Kind of rule by reality TV then?
Didn't mention TV.
Or reality.
A military junta is the only sensible alternative. I've already called the post of Lord High Executioner.
Viva Il Presidente!
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I bags First Sea Lord.
Always wanted a go in a Sea Harrier.
I like it. it would stop idiots declaring no interest in politics if they had to decide on whether somebodys granny can afford coal.
Yep, it has advantages!
Ordinary people trying to make a difference.
And trying not to get executed obviously.........
Come on, doesn't the thought of a Derek Conway or Jacqui 'Lovelace' Smith
hopping into the Commons after a quick amputation for corruption fill your twisted little heart with joy?
I think the behavior of our MPs is irrelevant. The press and media sees to that. They, and as a result we, and as a result government ministers are driven by stories at the expense of news and opinion at the expense of fact. So regardless of what system of voting or representation you put in place, without universal access to truth then we don't have a democracy anyway.
We just have Jeremy Vine's phone-in, but on a much larger scale.
However I'd prefer to see the abolition of Party Politics. MPs and Councillors forget (or aim to help us forget) that they are 'Committees'. A committee is a person, not a group, and a committee is nominated to impartially represent on behalf the group that nominates them. They should gather and represent opinion on every day, not just polling day. And it should be their job to represent that group fully and honestly - their vote on an issue shouldn't be swayed by the party line, or by the crap they read in the paper this morning. Its not their job to have or express an opinion on anything, and yet whenever they have the opportunity they fill the air around them with what-they-think.
I think the "Jury service" approach to government would be a good idea., but you would end up with the same problems as today, because the senior civil servants would be relied on more to steer the new people through.
Think of that bloke that ran the ONS John Bourne I think it was, and the corruptness of him.
Now imagine an entire government of new people asking him for advice on what to do.
Ok willard, good point.
We'll have a 'three complaints against you and then you hang from a lamp post'
rule for the Sir Huphreys as well.
'Pour encourager les autres' indeed. 🙂
By the way, isn't that Terrahawk on the right in that 'Young Ones' photo I posted last night?
Spooky.