Over the last few months I have been in many conversations about the problems we have with democracy in this country, in that it is not democratic. Often people have said to me that they have lost faith in democracy and that it would be better to have a benign dictator, someone who is mild … Continue reading A Benign Dictator
Forget forecasts
The art of forecasting is falling out of favour. Its usefulness as a prediction of the future has come under severe pressure. This is especially true in the world of political forecasting and for one reason, forecasts in this sense are invariably wrong. They have now become synonymous with the other meaning of the word, … Continue reading Forget forecasts
Failing state
Grayling has managed to live up to his reputation again. He has failed to secure the lead of the Intelligence and Security Committee. At least this time he managed to fail before being given the job instead of during it. Instead, another Conservative MP, Julian Lewis has won the position. This is not the real … Continue reading Failing state
Constituency boundaries
Should constituency boundaries be left to politicians to decide? Surely not, however well intentioned they are, there will always be a temptation to manipulate them in an attempt to divert votes in favour of their own party or away from the opposition. Instead it should be left to mathematics and geography with the politicians only … Continue reading Constituency boundaries
Votes that count
A couple of months ago, in less troubled times, I wrote a blog proposing an alternative voting system for the UK. It is a form of proportional representation yet holds a strong element of the first past the post system (FPTP) which at least gives a degree of local political representation. I wrote the article … Continue reading Votes that count
The need for democracy is greater than ever
The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world on its head. Every aspect of our lives has been affected, including politics. At the time that we need good society leaders the most, we find that we are represented by a government that the majority of us did not vote for. Are they doing a good job? … Continue reading The need for democracy is greater than ever
Political forensics
While we were lolling about, waiting for the baby to wake up no doubt, my eldest daughter said to me: ‘Dad, if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?’ It didn't have to be a job that exists and there are no conditions that are preventing me from getting it. … Continue reading Political forensics
Running the country
Where is this year going? Way back on Jan 7 Jeremy Corbyn (remember him?) asked in the House of Commons ‘where is the Prime Minister?’ In reply, Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary since 2019, replied ‘The Prime Minister is busy running the country’. If only that were true. It is another of those myths which … Continue reading Running the country
What is so good about sovereignty?
During the whole in/out of the European Union debate the question of sovereignty has repeatedly raised its head, but what does it mean and why is it so important? It is a word that seems to be self-fulfilling in that sovereignty is the ‘Supremacy of authority or rule as exercised by a sovereign or sovereign … Continue reading What is so good about sovereignty?
A better vote allocation
The only thing I like about our first past the post system is that it is local by nature. We all vote for someone who represents our constituency. I have made the point however on many occasions that when all the votes are counted and MPs elected the majority of the public are let down. … Continue reading A better vote allocation
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 