Lockdown easing in England

[Greensleeves]

Perhaps it is time for a complete shake up of the system abolish the party system and have each MP responsible only to the views of her/his electorate, rather than acting like sheep and following the dictates of a political party.

Yes let's go back to the good old days of rotten boroughs and lack of accountability; of powerful people backing puppet politicians to represent their views rather than those of the electorate; of parliamentary seats being given in return for favours.  Of politicians being only from the wealthy classes  because the ordinary person doesn't have the money or clout to stand a chance against a rich and well-funded opponent.    Sounds like an interesting way forward and I am sure in no way would that end in chaos and mutiny.  But just in case it does I'll keep my knitting handy....

[Skoosh]

It would rip yer knittin Greensleeves!  Folk in masks asking how you're doing? like, who the hell are ye? 

Skoosh.

[rayard]

What about those who rely on lip-reading. I don't, but recently on "Casualty" and "Eastenders" there have been characters who cannot use hearing-aids and rely on seeing the person speaking.
Some people look hostile when you can only see their eyes, or is it because we now see everyone as a Covd19 threat? I ventured into a shop yesterday and it was horrible the way eveyone glared as I came out.
rayard.

[louisa maud]

A friend of mine  is making masks to be used  for people who need to lip read, they look a bit like a photo frame with the centre looking like clear acetate, lips can be seen for lip readers

Louisa Maud

[Guy Etchells]

Perhaps it is time for a complete shake up of the system abolish the party system and have each MP responsible only to the views of her/his electorate, rather than acting like sheep and following the dictates of a political party.

Yes let's go back to the good old days of rotten boroughs and lack of accountability; of powerful people backing puppet politicians to represent their views rather than those of the electorate; of parliamentary seats being given in return for favours.  Of politicians being only from the wealthy classes  because the ordinary person doesn't have the money or clout to stand a chance against a rich and well-funded opponent.    Sounds like an interesting way forward and I am sure in no way would that end in chaos and mutiny.  But just in case it does I'll keep my knitting handy....

On the contrary it puts the power in the hands of the electorate rather than the political parties. If your MP did not vote according to their constituents liking the next election he/she would be out of a job. He/she would not be hiding behind the party line excuse that so many claim.
You are the only one suggesting favours and corruption.
Cheers
Guy

[Viktoria]

Where are The Chartists when we need them?
One man one vote.
Universal suffrage ( only for men in those days)
Secret ballots.
Yearly general elections.
Abolishment of land ownership necessary for MPs
Equality in size of constituencies.
Etc.
There ought to be more of it about!
I do remember the first Socialist Government after the war, Bevan,Bevin,
Morrison, Attlee, etc.
The inception of  the NHS , such a change.
I really though I would own my own train! 
But at ten years old.-
The times might well be a’changing!
Viktoria.

[candleflame]

Not being political but a very practical question- how do they do the actual voting in Scotland ? When they are on the tv, I'm always intrigued by the wooden 'desks'  they have with the elaborate metal 'aerials' . The flat bit of wood on the top looks like it should be a lectern stand for a laptop but it's clearly part of the aesthetic and there's power points and usb things underneath. Seems very practical but I don't know how they do their actual voting. Thanks.

[Skoosh]

@ Candleflame, they push a button! 

Bests,
Skoosh.

[arthurk]

Perhaps it is time for a complete shake up of the system abolish the party system and have each MP responsible only to the views of her/his electorate, rather than acting like sheep and following the dictates of a political party.

On the contrary it puts the power in the hands of the electorate rather than the political parties. If your MP did not vote according to their constituents liking the next election he/she would be out of a job.

These ideas have a superficial appeal, and in my younger days I might even have put forward a similar argument myself, but I don't think they would work. A parish council of a dozen or so members might run very well with no party organisation and all candidates standing as Independents, but try to imagine what would happen in a national parliament with over 600 members.

First, how would anything ever be decided? Every member, in order to demonstrate that they were representing the views of their constituents, might potentially want, or even have a right, to have an input in every debate and decision. How long would be needed for that to take place, and for the views to be distilled into some kind of consensus?

One decision they would be required to make would be who would occupy the posts of Prime Minister and other ministers of state. In voting for their local representatives, no-one would have a clue who would be in line for such office, so what would happen? Presumably out of those elected, a few would put their names forward, and then either the whole country would have another election to decide who should get the job (when they know little or nothing about them or what policies they might adopt), or else the elected representatives themselves would make the decision. Is that what you want?

Second, it might conceivably occur to some of the 600+ members that they had broadly similar views on a range of issues, and it could therefore make sense for them to work together to promote these. Gradually the informal gathering of like minds becomes a more formal grouping, and before you know it you have a political party. How would you prevent this happening, and if you wanted to, at what point would you draw the line?

So although this sounds good to begin with, it would be either totally unworkable or hideously cumbersome and expensive, and I don't think it could last long in its initial form.