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.

Re: British Democracy?
 

With regards to the expat vote...

While I completely appreciate that a lot of you want to maintain your vote in the UK, I did not vote and feel that I SHOULD not vote in the UK elections.

I would not like to think that people in another country were affecting the way that I lived. In the same way, I do not like the idea that other people should have to live with my political preferences even though I, personally, do not have to live with the consequences of my vote.

Whether I have an active role in politics or not I still have a view point on politics and still feel I have a right to express that opinion.

Re: British Democracy?
 

I could accept that to an extent, if as a taxpayer in the USA I were allowed to vote here as a permanent resident.

Re: British Democracy?
 

Well obviously I had to have a read too. I agree with them, I predict that now that Labour are in again every single Brit will leave the UK...god it will cost a fortune to change the language on all the traffic signs.

Re: British Democracy?
 

not being a political expert of any kind but you say proportional representation in a way this already occurs because all the MP's gain a seat and if Tony wants anything approved he has to have a majority and with the results as they were a small 44 MP's disagreeing with his point of view would cause problems in it being passed before the recent election it had to be 84 which was over half of the MP's that were not labour.

I agree in a way that you have a right to not vote but when petrol prices are high or your tax's go up then you have no right to complain about the government or the price in general because you are obviously not interested in politics.

In Australia they make you vote and if you do not you can get fined and even possibly a custodial sentence (definately former not sure about latter) and you get a week to vote as well. At least this way everybody's opinion is counted.