Can be right because that's what a first past the post system gives you - massive simplification. If UKIP polled 23% of the vote (pretty much a quarter) people should be scandalised that they have so few seats. The LibDems have complained about this for years, but no one cares. Now with UKIP in the frame, perhaps proportional representation will have to be taken seriously.
UKIP polled 23% of the vote in the seats where they stood. But they didn't stand in very many. And the seats where they stood were, obviously, the ones where they had some support (e.g. Boston, Lincs). 23% nationally would be an entirely different kettle of fish.
It is about the balance of power. Votes for UKIP are votes lost from the main parties, which cannot be ignored.
In reality that was 23% of the 35% that bothered to vote which means less than 9% support, I would tend to the view that the support for UKIP is probably about that level nationally and that come the general election with higher turnout their share will drop like a stone.
I don't think you could guarantee a turn-out of more than 50% for the next general election. Turnouts are going down. People are no longer political - they essentially have taken responsibility for themselves. Faith in politicians is at an all time low. The polarised political creeds have all bitten the dust. How excited can you get about Labour, LibDems and Cons all fighting about nuances of the same thing? People are disaffected with their political system. Maybe it's time to try something radically different.
I've had a revolutionary idea. Let's form a people's army and seize control of the state :biggrin: Consider yourself old if you get the reference.
I've got a better idea: Let's make a cake. We'll add ingredients of different political parties in the proportions that people voted for them. The selected members of the cake will be called the cabinet. They will be voted for by the whole parliament and will be tasked with working together and never grassing up their colleagues about what goes on behind closed doors. The Prime Minister will rotate on a yearly basis. His job will be to chair the cabinet meetings, attend summits etc, but he won't have any real power. The cabinet and its ministries will draft the legislation that will be voted on by both houses. To pass into law, the approved texts will be submitted to the people for a final say-so. Oh look - that's what already happens in Switzerland - where you have to juggle 3 different language areas, two major religions and a host of regional differences.
You want to be careful; these sites are monitored and I fear you will soon be heading to Guantanamo for daring to suggest a public rising and violent overthrow of the state...been nice knowing you, say Hi to Abdulla Bungditin
Until MPs are more accountable to the electorate via a recall system, than to the party via the whips, then things wont change.
Why dont we go back to a monarchy system? They have the long term in mind, no popularist short term want to be re-elected policies, we can vote on local people to represent us in the Big House of state, based on policies which will affect us locally only, leaving the global and long term thinking and strategy to Her Maj. just a thought
Yes, let's get rid of out-of-touch politicians and replace them with thinkers who travel exclusively by Rolls Royce, yacht and helicopter and live in palaces. Sounds like a grand idea to me.
To answer the original point - Two reasons. Firstly people have realised that the policies they are advocating, ie borrowing lots of money to buy our way out of debt, is exactly the policy that got the country into the current mess : it didn't work last time, it won't work if they try it again. And secondly, their leader is a public school toff who looks and sounds like he's about 12 years old... ( Is it just me, or does he remind anyone else of "Pitt the younger" from Blakadder III ? )
I think any one who sets out for a career in politics should be banned from the outset. People should be drafted for a term in office from a pool of people selected due to their skills in employment for commercial companies. Fiscal policy by someone drafted from a bank, the NHS dealt with by someone from the NHS. You wouldn't want to put any old bloke in charge of the factory floor, you'd want a foreman who has served his time and has an understanding of the in's and out's of the manufacturing process all the way from purchasing materials to selling to the customer. He knows everything there is to know about the business he is in and is therefore in the best position to make informed decisions. Politics should be like this. Run by 45 - 65 year old men that have served a full career in their field and know what they're talking about and know about REAL life. These Eton toffs can do one. The pyramid of potential voters is unfortunately bigger at the lower classes (of which I am a member), and whilst this is a very big brush stroke, the most likely to be swayed by sensationalist policies, arguments in the Sun and Daily Mail cries to 'oust the polish' or some such nonsense based on sentiment and not facts. The voting process is a shambles and democracy only truly works if people can make an informed decision and are interested in the decisions made by leadership. It is my opinion that a large percentage of voters, if recruited by a suitably catchy policy, could lead to a situation where the country is lead down a dark path of isolationism, racism and policy set on anger, rather than sensible plans for the greater good. UKIP to me are only a step away from the BNP and the moment it becomes acceptable to support 'you're not like me therefore you are not welcome here' will be the moment this country goes down the pan. Not that I think much of the other parties, but at least they don't seriously want out of Europe, hate immigrants and have an eye on economic answers rather than finger pointing. Also any party that feels the need to state on their website that they are non-racist is clearly racist. From google search... UK Independence Party www.ukip.org/ Libertarian, non-racist party seeking Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. Includes manifesto, campaign news, links and a section devoted to speeches
With regards to the country being run by 45-65 year old persons that have served a full term in their career field..........don't forget that Cameron was just a plain old advisor to Norman Lamont. And as to UKIP being racist ..........well, whether they are or not, if they had been in Governement, there wouldn't be loads of our Armed Forces getting blown up in issues that are nothing to do with the UK. AL
Isnt the ref to non-racist in order to combat those who say they are jingoistic and racist? Erm....where's the icon for vicious circle If you only have middle aged in there, how do you keep fresh new ideas driving innovative things forward and engage the youth of today?
