tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post2687452658838261250..comments2024-03-28T09:08:50.733+00:00Comments on Law and Lawyers: The Court of Public Opinion: Governmental PossibilitiesObiterJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post-91172576468236472692010-05-12T16:38:42.389+01:002010-05-12T16:38:42.389+01:00Given the coalition which ultimately emerged, I do...Given the coalition which ultimately emerged, I do not think that we will actually get proportional representation. We are more likely to get the Alternative Vote (AV) system. I have done a separate post about what the outcome might have looked like with different systems of voting. The outcomes are based on work done by the Electoral Reform Society.<br /><br />I used the words "profoundly undemocratic" because, at the time, it looked likely that Labour would dump Brown so as to get a deal with the Lib Dems. At least, Brown had fought the election whereas some replacement leader would not have done so. The reality of elections is that the leader matters to the voters.<br /><br />In the event, even senior Labour figures stood up to say that the attempt to put together a Labour/LD arrangement was not democratic. They plainly feared that if such a deal had been imposed they might have suffered badly. They are probably better off in Opposition where they can "regroup", reconnect with their grass roots", find a new leader. Above all, they remain as a distinct alternative for the voter to consider at the next general election which might still come fairly soon though personally I think we now need some political stability.ObiterJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544226917595022902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post-30062360531649853032010-05-11T11:21:20.078+01:002010-05-11T11:21:20.078+01:00I'm interested in why you describe a Lib/Lab p...I'm interested in why you describe a Lib/Lab pact with a new leader as 'profoundly undemocratic'? We vorte for individual MPs and to a degree, for a specifc party - I'm notconvinced that this option is inherently *less* democratic than any of the other alternatives. And in this particular election, I think it was fairly clear that Brown's head was on the block so any one who voted Labour would do so knowing that there was a strong possibility that Brown woud not be the party leader for much longer.<br /><br />Persoanlly, I believe electoral reform is klong over due andthat some form of PR is the most democractic option: If a Lib/Lab pact will achieve that then I think that outcome would be win for democracy, taking the long view, albeit it will be via a VERY tortuous route!<br /><br />(Hmm - word verification was "Nulab" - are the word verification bots taking an interest in the post?)Marjoriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234975039675044712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6110794854146484721.post-31996095747795889322010-05-08T15:57:57.324+01:002010-05-08T15:57:57.324+01:00I declare an interest; I am against any form of P....I declare an interest; I am against any form of P.R. for this country. It has been written that most European states are governed under one form or another of P.R. For that reason one might argue we should drive on the right; everybody else does. For the example of "good" coalition government Germany is quoted but not Italy which recently adapted a system akin to FPTP although that itself might be less than permanent. David Ben Gurion in 1947 wanted the emerging State of Israel to be the most democratic on Earth and it is that "democracy" which has produced the impass in the politics of that country where governments of national unity in all but name are virtually as common as party government and without real oppositions have produced the stasis impeding negotiations with Palestinians on a meaningful basis. Already we have the paradox of a Lib Dem party which has fewer seats now than last week but is almost dictating the shape and policy of a future Tory administration. I am for increased powers for the House of Commons and reduced powers of the Executive. The Labour Party did its best to reduce the former and increase the latter and for those reasons alone deserves to be in the wilderness for a long time. If libertarians within Lib Dems and Tories address these issues this result will have meaning for all.The Justice of the Peacehttp://thejusticeofthepeace.blog.co.uknoreply@blogger.com