WestHamFirm

Peter Parka · Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:39 am Does Democracy Need A Test?

We just had a bi election here. We have Labour: A guy disgraced in politics looking for a cheap way back because the guy who died held a safe seat. No canvasing done whatsoever.
Then we have Conservatives: Plenty of canversing, a good amount of changes suggested and very polite and considerate on the election trail.
Lib Dems: A great guy who I know personally who really cares about people and the best campaign trail out of the three.
Rresults: Labour gain, both other parties suffered loss. Turnout: Less than a third the electorate, mainly old women stuck in their ways, I held the door open for three of them on my way out of the polling station.
I really think that if democracy should work people should be tested so they know what the fuck the're voting for first! Opinions?

Hammer_Mark · Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:36 am

Sorry Peter im slightly confused on what your suggesting... are you saying that I should take a test before im allowed to vote?

Dave_whufc · Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:44 pm

:lol:

communism ftw!

Peter Parka · Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:31 pm

Hammer_Mark wrote: Sorry Peter im slightly confused on what your suggesting... are you saying that I should take a test before im allowed to vote?

Something along those lines. It just seems to me that a lot of people vote without really having the first clue about the guy the're voting for.

Sam1 · Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:32 pm

I voted for yes because i can't see what harm it will do. Nowadays most votes are absed on reputation of the respected parties and democracy would make it better.

Hammer_Mark · Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:17 pm

Peter Parka wrote: Hammer_Mark wrote: Sorry Peter im slightly confused on what your suggesting... are you saying that I should take a test before im allowed to vote?

Something along those lines. It just seems to me that a lot of people vote without really having the first clue about the guy the're voting for.

I already voted "No" thinking this may have been the case. I agree with you that many people don't have a clue who they are voting, but at the moment in England it is those who wish to vote who do which is about as pure Democracy as you can possibly get within reason.

I believe I understand politics quite well, not going to say im an expert or anything but to take a test would be insane. Just because someone does not know what party is best for them or for others does not mean that they should not get an equal right to vote, as it is much thier country as it is yours.

Peter Parka · Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:44 pm

Maybe there should be better education about politics then? Its just things like that which get to me. I guess its still hard though because most politicians never deliver what they promise anyway! :?

Sam1 · Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:53 pm

I like the idea of educating kids around my age (maybe younger) about politics. The only way i learn anything about it is if i read some articles on BBC news.

oldhammer1966 · Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:16 am

This could be the answer: Scrap the first past the post constituency based system where unless living in a marginal many people beleive their vote is wasted.

My proposal is everyone wishing to stand for parliament must have something like a MySpace site where they can air their views and state clearly to the people what policies they would vote for in parliament.

If you wanted that person in you make them one of your friends, the top candidates with the most friends each 4 years would join the commons.

Political parties would be banned so people do not just 'tow the party line' and stand for what they truely beleive in on ALL issues. Members would be able to form alliances once in parliament.

I believe an upper house of permenant members is a good stabilising factor. So I would replace each outgoing member (on retirement or death) with a member democratically elected from the existing pool of MP's.

This system would be truely proportional and democratic. The MP that you elected would hopefully be truelly representitive of your views and accountable to his/her internet constituents.

Peter Parka · Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:30 pm

Radical but I like it! The only current problem I see it the old people ect and others who don't have internet access or know how to use it, other than that though it sounds good to me! :D

Hammer_Mark · Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:54 pm

I think Politics should be part of curriculum as should religion and british culture. Then people would be brought up a little bit more aware.

oldhammer1966 · Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:37 pm

Peter Parka wrote: Radical but I like it! The only current problem I see it the old people ect and others who don't have internet access or know how to use it, other than that though it sounds good to me! :D

Point taken about the oldies but Plenty of places to access the internet nowadays. Our generation is pretty well up to speed and my parents are online and they are in their sixties. Any one older than this could get help from their family. I think it will be the way things go in the future when we are all connected up.