Comments on: Why Britain is Not a Democracy

By: John saunders

John saunders — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 11:16:04 +0000

Britain a democracy? Hereditary head of state: appointed second chamber: disgracefully unfair and distorted electoral system both nationally and ( in England).locally.The only remotely democratic institutions are The Scottish Parliament, Welsh and N.Irish assembelies and the Greater London Authority! This is a mockery of a democracy, especially in the area with 80% of the population- England!

By: mark

mark — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 11:30:08 +0000

In reply to John.

An excellent idea, John. Random choice of those who govern us would quite literally be the most pure form of representative democracy. Unfortunately, it would create a problem with exactly what sort of policy would be followed and how a ‘government’ is chosen, which after all, has to come from those represented in Parliament.

I think that a system as suggested by yourself would best be adopted for a second chamber replacing the house of Lords, but those chosen, would have to be representatives for maybe say a ten year term, otherwise why would anyone abandon their chosen career even if it was paid and came with a pension (as does serving, I believe, two terms of Parliament)?

The Commons is best represented by a strict proportional system of one seat per 100,000 voters (about 460 top up seats) and an additional 200 seats per 230,000 voters for first past the post. By this method I’d estimate the Tories would still get around 268 seats but would have to govern with another party. It would still allow a situation like under Blair’s first election, for a party to govern with a majority but still allow proportional repepresentative government.

By: The Rebel

The Rebel — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 18:53:36 +0000

What has happened in the UK is quite simple. The Americanisation of the economy and politics. In short, the wealthy and big corporations pay little or no tax, the Middle class get decent salaries and a future AS LONG AS THEYREMAIN DOCILE AND SUBSERVIENT TO THE WEALTHY ABOVE THEM, and constant low wage jobs for those at the bottom, with the promise of ‘one day you’ll be a billionaire, so why worry about low wage jobs now?!’

Also, in the last 25 years or so, any real dissent has been carefully but firmly ironed out of politics, the media, business and many other spheres by keeping working class people, ethnic minorities and anyone else who might say something ‘not on the agenda’ out, so politics, media and many other spheres of activity are top heavy with white Middle class men mostly from London and the SE, with the occasional token black, Working class person or woman to keep the liberals quiet.

This is reality now. Anyone disagree with that? Just look at the leaders of all of the main parties. It is business as usual. The rich get richer and the rest of us are meant to have a rictus grin on our face and be deliriously happy because the rich get richer.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:10:39 +0000

In addition to this mini critique, the fact that people adhere to such a nonsense system is beyond belief! There are 3 political parties that are meant to stand for 62 million people… that means 62 million people can be divided into three different mindsets which is an obscure manufactured way of governing as it is. Moreover, theorists over the years have come up with more than three different ways of governing in which all deserve far more attention than the preverbal bullshit that comes with the current, supposed, choice! Also considering that the major institutions that uphold law in this country are unelected bodies speaks for its self. Not to mention that the economy is essentially run by self elected rich corporations, disrupted by offshore banking and offshore production, central banking ‘scandals’ and the ongoing fact that neoliberalism is going to continue to undemocratically suck every country dry of their resources whilst in return creating a reproducing working class . A democracy… Man under capitalism is never good enough for such a concept

By: John

John — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:12:40 +0000

The only real way to get a truly democratic parliament is to randomly select its members like jury service. There would be no vested interest in retaining power.

By: Ciarán

Ciarán — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:20:54 +0000

There should really be a new party for a new age. The parties in power stand for old outdated ideas in many cases and are often out of touch with the new generation and the new tools they possess. All these acts like CISPA, ACTA, etc show that the government doesn’t understand how this generation acts. They want to scan emails for certain key words for example. If this was applied to actual written letters it would never pass but they feel that digital information is somehow different. A good example of a new age political party might be the Pirate party which is spreading across Europe. More parties and more choice is needed. Also proportional representation maybe?

By: Storm Lawson

Storm Lawson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:18:42 +0000

In reply to el halcón mierda. Power will remain with the people when there is a democracy. But there isn't, so the power is currently resting with the parties.

By: el halcón mierda

el halcón mierda — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:07:42 +0000

In reply to Storm Lawson. Surely your article, however enlightening, stipulates that Britain isn't in fact a true democracy and as such power doesn't entirely reside with the people. Regardless if we regard Baron Acton's quote then if as you say "power will still remain with the people." surely then it is people(electorate) that are corrupt.

By: Storm Lawson

Storm Lawson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:19:16 +0000

In reply to Stephanie. Haha, thank you!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:14 +0000

Great article, really gets you thinking.
I don’t know much about politics but I managed to read the whole thing which is rare for me when it comes to such like politics.