According to a recent report a quarter of us think that we would be better off without political parties. Personally I'm slightly ambivilant about them - on the one hand they are shorthand for people who can't, or don't want to, think about individual issues but on the other they do provide some legislative inertia so we aren't ruled entirely in reaction to tabloid headline. I'm not sure what you could replace political parties with - managers? a meritocratic civil service? local anarchistic groups with a council of localy elected leaders? What do you think - are political parties on the way out and if so what will replace them?

According to a recent report a quarter of us think that we would be better off without political parties. Personally I'm slightly ambivilant about them - on the one hand they are shorthand for people who can't, or don't want to, think about individual issues but on the other they do provide some legislative inertia so we aren't ruled entirely in reaction to tabloid headline. I'm not sure what you could replace political parties with - managers? a meritocratic civil service? local anarchistic groups with a council of localy elected leaders? What do you think - are political parties on the way out and if so what will replace them?

what about a benevolent dictator? I am ready, willing and able....:thumbsup:

Just let us civil servants get on and run the country without these constant interuptions from popularity contest, x-factor, grinning politicians

We could always hand power back to the Queen :hihi:

According to a recent report a quarter of us think that we would be better off without political parties. Personally I'm slightly ambivilant about them - on the one hand they are shorthand for people who can't, or don't want to, think about individual issues but on the other they do provide some legislative inertia so we aren't ruled entirely in reaction to tabloid headline. I'm not sure what you could replace political parties with - managers? a meritocratic civil service? local anarchistic groups with a council of localy elected leaders? What do you think - are political parties on the way out and if so what will replace them?


But surely our present govt. has been the most reactive to tabloid headlines that we've ever had. In it's early years Blair's most trusted and listened to advisor was a wretched journalist :P The Sun and the Daily Mail have more influence on our govt. ministers than any of their civil servants.

At my age I don't much care about the future, but I'll be interested to see how things pan out in the few years left to me. A military dictatorship would be nice for a while as a chance to clear all the time-serving snouts from the trough. ;)

I think anybody in politics too long is going to get corrupt. We need a system where they are not in power too long. We should not have a system where somebody can spend a life time in politics.

The Sun and the Daily Mail have more influence on our govt. ministers than any of their civil servants.


This is so true.

Then there is the point that MP's are selected from shortlists within the memberships of their parties. The vast majority of people in this country are not a member of a political party yet these minority interest groups get to rule the country and tell everyone else what to do.

You can vote for an alternative government but not an alternative to government.

Just let us civil servants get on and run the country without these constant interuptions from popularity contest, x-factor, grinning politicians

And by how much would our income tax go up if it was the taxman's responsibility to set the rate ? :D

At the end of the day the politicians come and go but the civil service is always the same.;)

And by how much would our income tax go up if it was the taxman's responsibility to set the rate ? :D

Nah we'd just make efficiency savings by concentrating on what we do best, collecting money, not giving it out in Tax Credits. Let the benefits agency do that and let us do our job

Then there is the point that MP's are selected from shortlists within the memberships of their parties. The vast majority of people in this country are not a member of a political party yet these minority interest groups get to rule the country and tell everyone else what to do.


Only because the lemmings vote for them. Independent MP's would be a great idea, but they hardly ever get elected, which isn't THEIR fault.

Only because the lemmings vote for them. Independent MP's would be a great idea, but they hardly ever get elected, which isn't THEIR fault.

Independent MPs can and do get elected but only when they are campaigning on local single issue policies eg Local hospital closures or when they are seen as a rebellion agaainst the usual corrupt parties

Only because the lemmings vote for them. Independent MP's would be a great idea, but they hardly ever get elected, which isn't THEIR fault.

Sound idea. Politicians should not be allowed to be members of a party. Force them to canvass on issues that concern their community. When they get into parliament they can form ad-hoc and temprorary coalitions but all legislation can only be enacted on a free vote.

Sounds like anarchy but it would be fun. :)

If theirs so many not happy with the choice of political parties for whatever reason why dont they start their own party????

If theirs so many not happy with the choice of political parties for whatever reason why dont they start their own party????

General apathy.

If theirs so many not happy with the choice of political parties for whatever reason why dont they start their own party????
If you think that the problem with democracy in this country is the very existence of, and power wielded by, political parties, then forming your own would be shooting yourself in the foot just a smidgeon, doncha think?