After the initial flurry of announcements for this, the campaign is starting to take shape though some of the stuff on their Facebook page is very unfocussed. They do seem to be getting moving though with a series of public meetings in October. The London one is on the 17th.
They are slowly getting a proper web site up now
Democracy 2015
A lot of what Andreas Whittam-Smith wrote has a lot to recommend it. However, I am not entirely convinced about the idea of having MPs sit for one term only. Some very worthwhile policies that a strong independent contingent of MPs could help to develop would be very long term goals and the risk is that it would take more than one parliamentary term to get through.
Still, it is good to see a major newspaper take an interest in revitalising political life.
We shall see what the meeting is like anyway.
Monday, 24 September 2012
Saturday, 8 September 2012
An Exciting Development for Independent Minded Politicians
Recently the Independent newspaper has launched a campaign called democracy 2015
click here Democracy2015
Andreas Whittam-Smith, the founding Editor of the Independent has summed up the concern of many with the professionalisation of party politics and is seeking to get a significant number of independent MPs elected at the next general election.
I am not sure about becoming a Westminster MP but the idea of joining the London Assembly or Borough is perhaps another thing.
I basically agree with what the aims of the campaign but it should be widened to include local democracy. One of the big problems with government is the reduction in grass roots involvement. Local Authorities have seen their powers undermined over many years and this is in part aided by the very low turnout at local government elections. Were there more independent minded candidates with a real connection to their ward, it would be more likely that participation in local affairs could be improved.
Of course, plans for standing for this may be severly curtailed by our other big project as outlined here
We shall see but I will be contacting the Democracy2015 team.
click here Democracy2015
Andreas Whittam-Smith, the founding Editor of the Independent has summed up the concern of many with the professionalisation of party politics and is seeking to get a significant number of independent MPs elected at the next general election.
I am not sure about becoming a Westminster MP but the idea of joining the London Assembly or Borough is perhaps another thing.
I basically agree with what the aims of the campaign but it should be widened to include local democracy. One of the big problems with government is the reduction in grass roots involvement. Local Authorities have seen their powers undermined over many years and this is in part aided by the very low turnout at local government elections. Were there more independent minded candidates with a real connection to their ward, it would be more likely that participation in local affairs could be improved.
Of course, plans for standing for this may be severly curtailed by our other big project as outlined here
We shall see but I will be contacting the Democracy2015 team.
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