Elected Dictatorship

It is, I hope, well known by now that I consider our present form of democracy nothing but that of an elected dictatorship - or as some commenters on this blog tend to term it, an oligarchy. For politicians today to repeat the mantra that they represent their constituent's views and are likewise elected to serve those same constitutents is a lie and consequently a sham.

Without rehashing old posts to the point of boredom, we are all aware that MPs are constrained in their voting patterns by party whips; that they insist on the ability to vote with their conscience - in other words, how they feel about a particular subject - rather than voting how the majority of their constituents feel; that constitutents have no means of recalling their MP to be held to account; that they consider Parliament "Sovereign"; and the 'killer point', that as I was informed by my MP, who also happens to be the Prime Minister the current elected dictator: no matter what my personal 'local' problem/grievance - if it conflicts with 'national policy' then I may as well forget it.

Many words have been written about the need for an English Parliament and a resolution to the West Lothian Question - with an impassioned speech reported at the recent Ukip conference -  thus enabling only voting by MPs on matters that affect their own constituencies. What, exactly, would the creation of an English Parliament do - other than preserve the status quo of elected dictatorship? Political parties, including Ukip, talk about localism, yet at the very heart of their ideas of localism lies central control and the belief that MPs are elected to rule. As with the EU, where national 'governments' do no more than implement EU law, so all local authorities do is implement central government decrees - and that is localism? Just what exactly do local councillors do other than applying knuckles to foreheads, in the manner of all good politicians, whilst collecting their allowances?

As I have, no doubt, 'bored to tears' readers with my rants about HS2, politicians and their lack of principle and honour; I trust you will bear with me for yet another example of the latter. I would refer to David Cameron's infamous article in The Sun newspaper, one in which he gave a cast-iron guarantee on a referendum. Little noticed, I believe, is another classic quote, one in which I have made two small amendments:

"One of the great challenges we face is rolling back the tide of bureaucracy that is drowning our country in regulations and forms. And you can't do that without targeting one of the main sources of this bureaucracy — Brussels. Because it is Europe that ties our businesses up in red tape. And it is Europe that ties the hands of our courts. We won't be able to deal with any of this unless we have a referendum. The final reason we must have a vote is trust. Gordon Brown David Cameron talks about "new" politics. But there's nothing "new" about breaking your promises to the British public. It's classic Labour.Cameron."

Which is why Richard North and I, with no collusion whatsoever, are the only two bloggers* - to my knowledge - that are prepared to put our heads over the parapet and suggest something different.

* Don't even mention Carswell and Hannan with their 'Plan' as it is but continuance of the status quo!