20 Jun 2007

Would abolishing poltiical parties help sort-out contentious political issues?

A thought (that I’ve been advocating for the best part of 15years) struck me, again, last night whilst listening to a Hansard Society Debate (the panelists were Sir George Young, Bart.; Polly Toynbee (The Guardian); Andrew Hawkins (CommunicateResearch); and Phil Cowley (Univ. of Nottingham))

It’s an idea which, if implemented would solve the issues that cause concern and disagreement amidst the Political Watchers — a solution to Party Funding, puts more strength in the Legislature, makes Bills (and perhaps, even secondary legislation!) more difficult to get through on the nod, gives Back-Benchers power, puts (potential) Members in touch with their constituents (if they want to get elected, they’ll have to work to it; and end to the ‘Pigs in a pram with the right colored rosette’ affair), and allows politicians to represent their constituents’ views/ending the secretive Whipping system, stops ‘Celebrity MPs’ being pimped out to schmooze for Party funds: I’m talking about the idea to abolish political parties. Surprisingly, at a debate attended by interested parties (in Constitutional issues), it wasn’t towards the end where “parties” were actually mentioned (from memory, it was the last idea thrown to the audience).

Of course, this isn’t a be-all and end-all solution to all of the Constitutional Issues that have been mooted, but it would end the farce of trying to reach a decision on Lords Reform, Funding of Parties, a (new) Bill of Rights; perhaps even control Patronage/Sleaze.

(lots of other interesting bits at this debate, too).

It would take a brave Party-politician to develop this subject further, maybe it’s time for a TheyWorkForYou alert…

Posted by Adam McGreggor on 20/06/07 at 2:02pm
Categories · Political engagement · Across the Board

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20 Jun 2007

Would abolishing poltiical parties help sort-out contentious political issues?

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20 Jun 2007

Would abolishing poltiical parties help sort-out contentious political issues?

Ideal Government

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