Vote for a Change

And I appeared in the Pontefract & Castleford Express! http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/picture-of-the-week/Gravy-train-in-electoral-protest.5822657.jp

"a new electoral system is needed"
No Nick, a proportional electoral system. "New" could conceivably be worse than what we've got.

any form of breaking the law to reinforce democratic change is likely to put people off

Whilst I sympathise with Brian's view, having submitted around 15 responses to consultations on nuclear power and climate change only to be ignored, it is a recipe of despair. In a democracy, they cannot put off this change forever.

The only danger with Vote for a Change's approach is that it does not seem to be engaging with the opposition, who ... Read moreare also against a fundamental change in the electoral system. We need a pledge from them for an early referendum in case they have a clear majority in 8 months time! Keep up the Fight!

Just had an absurd response to my letter pressing for real electoral reform. My response to the response was:

Dear Jonathan,

There are no details of how to respond to this report on the web page or, as far as I can see, in the report itself.... Read more
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/voting-systems-review.htm.
This rather calls into questions your statement that "..... the Government...... is interested in people’s views about which voting system they favour"

I note with amusement your summary of the conclusion of the report "there are a variety of views about which electoral system is best – all have their advantages and disadvantages". Indeed there are - politicians in the main parties want to maintain the status quo as this is to their personal advantage and the public would like a system which ensures that their politicians are selected in a way that reflects the will of the majority of the voters in a proportional way.

In the white paper that will never become law, Gordon Brown, who will not lead the next government, has committed to a referendum on a proposed new electoral system (AV) that would not result in a parliament elected on a proportional basis, and would therefore not reflect the democratic will of the electorate. I'm sure I don't have to tell you quite how pathetic that sounds.

Shame upon the harbour master!

It is difficult to argue that we need a political system with greater participation, an active democracy, rather than the elected dictatorship that rules at the moment. The principle I would advocate should be that all of the apparatuses of the state, police, planners, public services, etc. should be open to democratic control. How to best achieve that is by ensuring that those who (in theory) are in control. i.e. MPs, are the first to be returned to democratic control.

i've wearing the badge on my rucksac, ;~)

That is funny :)

I think that the entire system of government is bankrupt. Any arrangement that can pass sovereignty away to a foreign party without referring to plebiscite can't be valid in any sense as a system of government. The EU situation shows that the UK never got past its medieval roots, and that sovereignty still belongs to the elite, who can act without reference to the people. Then again, that's not news to anyone here.

What we nee to see is a preference voting for an electoral system, FPTP, STV, AV, AV+, AMS, etc, etc. The curreny system just causes all parties to be the same. It's not democracy.

Polly, don't worry about it, I might have over-reacted anyway

Good times and good protest! Love the photos today

Twas awesome. I loved being a zombie. :D

Few videos up on twitter already for anyone hungry for BRAINZ! http://twitter.com/voteforachange

What price democracy?

What price truth and justice? Is it worth paying? What's the alternative?

Or is it this democracy really just a state of mind in which we are living? As nothing gets done FOR the people by those who are put there by OUR choice.