We should be able to vote for PM
Democracies pride themselves on one basic principle above all else: the right for its citizens to vote.
Yet in the current turmoil of British politics, let me ask you this one question: Who will you vote for in the next general election?
You see, it's one thing to have a right to vote, which may have the consequence of replacing one government with another, but there is one thing our forefathers overlooked.
They assumed that all who would be elected to the House would be people of honour and integrity. That they would see their position as a member of parliament as the ultimate privilege, and not misuse their exalted position.
A little like playing football for your country without being paid. But wherever power and money collide there is always the possibility of wrongdoing or even corruption. Sad, but true.
So, where do we go from here?
Gordon Brown is not alone in being a Prime Minister who was not leader of his party during the previous General Election.
He joins a list of illustrious names including Balfour, Asquith, Lloyd-George, Baldwin, Chamberlain, Churchill, Macmillan, Douglas-Home, Callaghan and Major . . . a total of seven Conservative, two Labour and two Liberal Prime Ministers.
I make this point because it should eliminate the temptation to vote, or not, on the idea that the present incumbent in Downing Street is alone in becoming PM without consultation or mandate from the electorate.
This, however, doesn't make it right and I believe that this is an area of parliamentary reform that is long overdue yet little discussed.
In local politics, if an MP was removed or was to resign or die then their job would be up for selection by the constituency, as was recently the case in Norwich.
This is democracy at work.
When Margaret Thatcher left Number 10 she was immediately replaced by John Major, in much the same way as Brown replaced Blair, even though the circumstances were quite different.
It is, of course, argued that this is the party system at work, yet fails to seek approval from the electorate and smacks of incredible conceit.
It's a shade of grey in the democratic process that needs addressing.
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Weather for Kettering
Thursday 09 February 2012
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