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Reform of British democracy

Reform to bring true democracy and may be save center left politics

By Peter RosePublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Reforming British Democracy

Reform to bring true democracy and may be, save center left politics.

Definition-- institution-- an organisation or establishment founded for a specific purpose.

If Britain is to be a truly democratic force in the world, we need to embrace modern technology and reform the way many of the “institutions” operate. The National Trust, English Heritage, the main charities, the RSPCA, the local planning controls,the trade unions, and others; all need to be brought under direct control of the people who pay for them. In the case of unions, the National Trust and charities, this means all those who contribute to the funds. No policy should passed or be implemented, without a majority of “members” agreeing. No appointment should be made, no salary fixed, unless there has been democratic agreement. Even national government can be improved by the greater use of referendums. The Brexit referendum showed how main stream politicians can be totally out of touch with the democratic wishes of the majority.

Is it time that the rules which govern mainstream operations of large charities, quasi official national bodies, trade unions etc. were reformed? Brought up to date?

The power of unions to disrupt the nation, is out of proportion to the ratio of members, against the total population. According to available figures ( 2019) less that 25% of employees, in the UK are members of any trade union. Only about 10% of the total population are members of a trade union.

As an example of how the existing systems can cause harm; manufacturing industry in the 1960's 70's and 80's was almost destroyed in Britain, by the destructive use of union power. The political activists took over the unions and changed their purpose from being one dedicated to the welfare of its members to being a tool to enforce political change against the democratically expressed wishes of the majority. The old practice of deciding by a show of hands at a meeting, (or congress) where only a very small % of the membership were present, is outdated. It does appear possible that similar activists are still attempting to use the unions to enforce a narrow political ideal, on the entire population, again against the wishes of the majority of the population. Similarly the National Trust is loosing huge numbers of paying members because the directors have taken it upon themselves to politicise the trust. Actually the stated purpose of the trust is to save and preserve the physical heritage of Britain, it does not exist to direct moral views. It is time to change the way the directors operate.

May be it is time to expect that elections to the leadership in all institutions, national and local government and all policy they propose, can only be adopted, by any organisation with multiple individual membership, such as a trade union, though a secret ballot, (referendum,) of all members voting in private, and this ballot then showing a majority in favour of the policy motion.

The only difficulty to be over come, in allowing all members to vote on motions, is ensuring no person or vested interest group, has control over the process, its results and the publication of such results. Similarly with local planning consent, the policies of the National Trust, RSPCA etc.

This problem can be solved by giving oversight and control of the process, to ACAS or to 7 members; who are not on any governing committee, and selecting these at random just as lottery numbers selected. Then keeping their identity secret so they can not be subjected to “pressure” by any group of activists. An alternative is that control over the voting, could be given to the electoral commission. May be a joint oversight by the random selected members and one more “official” body. Causing or even attempting to cause, a false result should carry a minimum of 10 years jail time and unlimited financial penalty.

Investment in modern technology could reduce the cost of elections and referendums. Every voter already gets sent a personal card advising of the election date; all that is needed is for this card to have an individual one use password. The voter goes to a library or a post office; both equipped with voting terminals. In rural areas a mobile voting station could be used. The voter shows proof of identity and entitlement to vote, enters their one use password and cast their votes by selecting a “button.” The votes instantly are collated and the result would be known the minute polls closed. No costly counting rooms etc. Once people got used to this it would be accepted as normal.

According to the latest available statistics, only 3 unions have memberships of over half a million. The use of modern data processing should enable unions to become democratic in every aspect of their behaviour. The Brexit vote indicated a big divide between what the ordinary membership would vote for and what the political leadership wished them to. Investing funds in their own democratic processes, instead of propping up a divided and ailing Labour party, would be of great benefit to the membership, who provide those funds.

Ensuring the unions become democratic, removing the extremists from control, will be the first step in returning sanity to the left and centre left, of the British political spectrum. Then and only then, will it become electable as a national government. At the present time, the left is so out of touch with the majority, even the majority of “workers” let alone the majority of the total population, that it has very little chance of winning a general election.

Bringing democracy up to date, reforming the control over the management of all those “institutions” which use funds provided by the membership or the general public, is the only way to ensure democracy is relevant into the 21st century and beyond.

activism
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About the Creator

Peter Rose

Collections of "my" vocal essays with additions, are available as printed books ASIN 197680615 and 1980878536 also some fictional works and some e books available at Amazon;-

amazon.com/author/healthandfunpeterrose

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