British Democracy?
 

Their is a lot of talk about whether Britain is truly a Democratic country and how a government elected by only 25% of the eligible voters can have a majority.

What do people on here think about the state of affairs in British politics at this time?
Should proportional representation be looked at as an option?
Does the old system need a complete over-haul?


My own feeling on the matter is that being a Democracy includes the right to NOT vote! It is a persons right to decide whether to vote with the left, right, centre or none of the above.

The fact that only 60% of the voting population turned out is irrelevant, the fact that, based on those 60% of votes, the majority of seats was won by Labour is what counts.

Just my opinion. :D

Re: British Democracy?
 

Agreed.... :rolleyes:

Re: British Democracy?
 

It's a first past the post system.
Just look at this place, if the popular vote meant anything, Bush wouldn't have won a first term.

Re: British Democracy?
 

Either way, people that don't vote don't have the right to complain about it...at least there is more than two parties to chose from...
only two over here, Nader was a bigger joke than the UKIP, Greens etc...

Re: British Democracy?
 

took awhile btw


but Ribble South was a Labour hold.

Re: British Democracy?
 

Yeah, I noticed this morning... I told you we were no good at counting. :D

Re: British Democracy?
 

Don't blame me I didn't vote for him, in fact I'm not ashamed to say I didn't vote at all.

I can't believe anyone would think that yesterday's result would have been any different, I mean there is NO credible opposition.

Re: British Democracy?
 

i disagree,i have every right to not vote,its a democracy we live in ,is it not?,i dont go to a restuarant,find nothing i like on the menu and still stay to eat.voting is a total waste of time and politicians are a complete waste of money

Re: British Democracy?
 

Least you had the choice not to vote, bastards never sent out voting forms to a few of us over here.

Re: British Democracy?
 

That's your right not to vote, and you chose it, can't then go complain about the state of politcs afterwards though...

Re: British Democracy?
 

cos i acn,they didnt put forward decent policies,besides,im famous for moaning about EVERYTHING,i love democracy,hehe

Re: British Democracy?
 

I'd have liked to vote, but I didn't have another ex-pat available to sign the damned form on my behalf, as required. Anyway I'd have voted Labour in spite of Iraq etc. my vote would not have changed anything.

I've just read a few posts on the Canada forum commenting on the election and was quite shocked at some of the comments there about the UK. I know there are problems in some areas, but dammit I'd swap places with someone in the UK tomorrow if my husband would come along.

Regarding electoral systems - I think both the UK and USA systems leave a lot to be desired, but have you ever thought how difficult it would be to invent something which would be truly fair and just ? Probably easier in the UK than here in this vast place I suppose.

Re: British Democracy?
 

Agreed. I can't help but query what would happen under proportional representation - how would anything ever get achieved if you don't have a controlling party as we have now. I'm sure there are probably ways around it but until someone comes up with something that's workable then the current system doesn't do too badly. It still seems better than the US system in some ways.

Re: British Democracy?
 

I just read that too.
some of their comments made me laugh too

Re: British Democracy?
 

Ribble Valley still Con.
Posh folk round there.