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There was an interesting article in today’s Independent by a chap called James Fishkin who quite amusingly calls himself “James S Fishkin” presumably to try and overcome a rather odd surname by adding some kind of gravitas to it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/james-s-fishkin-the-58-ideas-that-could-hold-the-key-to-bringing-the-election-alive-1861198.html

Yes I am being disparaging because I went and looked at the web site of this outfit and was less than impressed because it misses the fundamentals of reform and political progress but judge for yourself my reasoning will follow. http://www.power2010.org.uk/

A Flippant Response from Me

“To me there are many unexplained mysteries in life but those most relevant to this article are as follows:

“Question Time” on the BBC claims that its audience is drawn from a representative cross section of the local audience, it is a travelling show. But if this is so, why do they consistently always get a high number of total nutters in the audience that aren’t interested in debate just their own annal preoccupations ?

In my 64 years, I have never been asked my opinion or know anybody personally who has been questioned for an opinion poll. Do they merely ask a the same select group of ‘known individuals’ all the time or do they just make it up down the pub ?

That reform is required I agree but a bunch of academics “refining various wish lists” down to 58 and then asking 200 to debate it and from that, “the top choices…” It is difficult to decide whether this is an expression of a bunch of “elitist academics” or just barmy people with some research funding to spend, either way, its a load of BOTOX.

PS. There are other more pressing issues to be answered like:

Should we strengthen the National Elf Service to counter act the Fairies taking over public life ?
If David Miliband was the answer, what was the question and why ?
If Gordon Brown is “Getting on with the job” what job is that because it isn’t being PM, he therefore must be moonlighting and if so as what, voice overs for adverts for Funeral Directors, seaside holidays for Lemmings ?”

Work With the Grain of the Wood…

I am not dismissive of reforms to the way we do politics, my ‘complaint’ if that is the way to describe it, is simply this is not the way to get things done because it it airy fairy and does not engage with the reality of the political process, neither does it seem to understand the context. A good example would be to take just one concept that not “owned” by any particular political party and promote just that.

NOTA – None of the Above. I believe that in Australia, it is a legal requirement that everyone should use their vote and as a consequence to cater for situations where you don’t fancy any of your local candidates, the is a “None of the Above” box to tick.

Although trying to get that on to every British ballot paper would be an uphill struggle there actually is no need to wait on Parliament to achieve the same thing at the next election, all you need to do is spread the word that ticking all the boxes on the ballot paper “spoils” it so that whilst it is included in the numbers of people who voted, it counts for no candidate of any party.

When one considers that under First Past the Post, Blair had an amazing majority with only 25% of the potential popular vote, encouraging people to vote for “None of the Above” just might apply continuing long term pressure to Governments and MPs generally. However whilst totally easy to implement it just won’t happen so more complex things that require legislation won’t either unless part of a Party Manifesto and even then whatever ‘policy’ would have to be in tune with the Zeitgeist of the times.

Pious thoughts and wishes just won’t cut it – End of…