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
A new world emerges
Covid-19 is the pandemic that the world has been waiting for. Ten years ago I remember attending events about the possible threat of bird flu. Everyone was talking about how it would sweep across the world and that we needed to start planning right away. Fortunately the virus didn’t make the leap from birds to … Continue reading A new world emerges
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
Why do I need a passport?
In all the furore over the colour of the United Kingdom passport, one question has kept coming into my mind. Why do I need a passport? For as long as I can remember, I have always had one. Every ten years or so I had to apply for a new one, a rigmarole that involved … Continue reading Why do I need a passport?
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
Lost postal votes
The more I think about the way that we conduct our version of democracy, the more I become concerned about its lack of democracy. I have described in many previous blogs, among other things, how first past the post leads to a minority government but my mind has now become occupied by seeming anomalies in … Continue reading Lost postal votes
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
First past which post?
Our voting system is often referred to as first past the post (FPTP). It is supposed to ensure that a single candidate emerges from each constituency and lead to stable governments. We can imagine an election like a horse race, where each candidate starts off with no votes to a finishing post somewhere in the … Continue reading First past which post?
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 