If anything illustrates what is wrong with our present system of representative democracy, it must surely be the following, uttered by Leon Brittan in the House of Lords:
"I start by saying that I am an unashamed opponent of referenda and always have been. It is not therefore surprising that anything that limits the operation of referenda inherently attracts me [......] I would regard it as a rather dangerous experiment that is subversive of the normal principles of parliamentary government."*
Here we have a man who from 1974, until he resigned his seat to become a European Commissioner in 1989, went on bended knee at general elections requesting people return him to parliament, yet he denies those people a say on by whom - and how - they should be governed. The illogicality of his statement in the House of Lords truly beggars belief!
This is one person for whom, most definitely, a lamp post has been reserved!
13 comments:
An arrogant piece of shit, WfW.
I never liked that man and I've never had cause to doubt those first impressions. A real toad.
Fucking watching and knitting. Bastard.
or: A most admirable description for a pile of odure......
AKH: Agreed
FWTTWR: Heh!
I'm sorry, and I don't want to appear over sensitive, but I find the use of coarse and obscene language makes the world an uglier place. I have stopped reading many blogs because of it and I really don't want to be put off reading your excellent contributions to the cause. But I have my principles. Can I therefore ask that contributors heed the request above the comment box.
l A reasonable request - and you may note that I refrain from such language, even though I may hint at certain words by using a different phrase........
However on the comments, I allow free speech but will 'step in' when I think certain limits have been 'broached'.
Trust that does not put you off k - you dont have to read the comments? :)
Thanks wfw. I actually do enjoy reading the comments. I acknowledge that you yourself don't use industrial language in your blogs. By the way, I really appreciate the way you take the trouble to respond to every comment. I'm sure my fellow commenters appreciate this also.
A: Thank you - on replying, yes I do try to answer each and every one although I do believe I have missed one or two. As to why I do it? Blog etiquette so I was informed when I first started - but also common courtesy, I believe
So which politicians and advisers worked for Leon Brittan in Brussels ? Could it be both are very close to Cameron ?
Leon Brittan does not have a family history in this country's struggle for democratic accountability and a real insensitivity to those that do.
TT: Good question, a little digging required methinks.......
Can someone please explain to me what 'industrial language! is? As far as I'm concerned profanities, swear, obscenities etc, whatever you want to call it, is as valid a form of emotional expression as the staid and refrained and totally cold and inhumane form of language used by those that are a sideways step from humanity. Just what on earth is wrong with it? Tell me please.
FWTTWR: I'll sit this one out, if that is ok with you.
Said all I want to say above.
Well at least he's consistent.
The problem with total direct democracy is that inevitably you'd get The Sun backing a campaign to bring back lynching accused paedophiles in the street, we'd spend all our money subsidising petrol costs, pull out of the EU altogether and have sent bombers over to Sepp Blatter's house after we lost the world cup bid. And we would probably have banned fox hunting a million times over by now, complete with corporal punishment for people who look at the cute fluffy vermin the wrong way on a dark night.
Nevertheless I think there is place for limited use referenda in politics, and that in the internet age public consultation could be done much more completely and MUCH more effectively.
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