OT - is Democracy the right way to go?

Those who don't care don't vote, who is qualified to decide who does or doesn't understand?

The last country I can remember who made that decision was apartheid South Africa.

 

I'm pretty sure if we can come up with a set of criteria for financially qualifying someone to buy a house, driving, getting a rescue dog, becoming a pilot, working for the security services...etc...I'm sure we can come up with a Right to Vote test. Tests are engrained into modern life, why not another one?

 

Pretty sure apartheid was based on class and skin colour? How is quantifying someone's intellectual capacity to do something in anyway even close to apartheid?

 

Democracy of the ordinary person to a point ,
The fact we educate and have people voted to make decisions on our behalf decisions we are not informed enough to make with a cross section of MPs .
Decisions whereby it takes the mob mentality out of the decision , there are a few MPs who imo have crossed this line Boris Johnstone etc aided and abetted by Farage esq

 

Our current incumbents baring a few are not fit for purpose.

Rather than decide who at the bottom of the pile who are competent the whole tree wants a shake.

Starting at the top.

Parliament.
Lords.
Civil service.
Lobbyists.

Theres plenty in that lot wholl fail your crisp packet anaology in that.

 

Wheather you voted to leave or remain it should have been left to people who knew what it entailed.90% of the country didn't have a clue what they were voting for and the complexity of it.

 

How would you view it if the test was a bit tricky and you failed it?

 

Same as when I failed my driving test, take it again.

What's your point?

 

Who are you suggesting actually knew as an undeniable fact what it entailed?
If there is such a position, why are those people elected to Parliament split on the issue?

 

I don't think changing democracy in this way would work. I'd recommend two key changes:

1. Introduce proportional representation - that way we would be more likely to create coalition governments who HAVE to work together. The risk is that those with very narrow viewpoints (left and right) will have a seat in Parliament but history has shown they only become stronger and find a way into power if the government fails to listen to the views of society. Our two party system means that governments can follow their own agenda, benefiting their own supporters and disadvantaging those who don't agree. A great example is the introduction of Universal Credit - in a coalition government this would never have passed into legislation.

2. Clarify the role of an MP. Are they voted into Parliament to represent the views of their constituents (e.g. majority of constituents vote leave and therefore MP votes to support leave) or are they voted into Parliament to make decisions that will benefit their constituents? I'd prefer the latter - that way MPs can be held to account if they fail to make good decisions, supported by evidence. This is how company directors are expected to operate, so I see no reason why MPs can absolve themselves of responsibility for their own incompetence.

 

...and you fail again? and again etc....you are disenfranchised by your inability to pass someone else's test.
One man (or woman) one vote is the hard won birthright of all those who live in a free society, to make any comparison with the safety issues of controlling a ton of motor vehicle is not well though out in my view.

 

The whole point of a test is to prevent people from doing something that they can't do.

If someone repeatedly fails something then surely you'd argue that they're unable to grasp the concept.

The test has served its purpose.

Again, not sure what point you're trying to make?

 

Looks like I'm going to have to eat the lawn

 

Depends if the spineless Nick Clegg is the leader of the minor coalition party.

 

Unversal credit was first rolled out in October 2013 by a coalition government

 

Are you making the assumption that you are one of those intelligent enough to pass the test?
If so you seem to be asserting your mental superiority over others.
If however you are saying that you would be happy to be personally disenfranchised thats another matter....my guess is that you are promoting this idea based on the assumption that you would be able to pass the test.

 

The role of an MP is clearly set out, it is to listen,debate and contribute to decisions in Parliament, in terms of constituents it is to advise them appropriately.

 

Actually the whole world is run by seven men in a room somewhere. Somebody told me this so it must be true. Epistocracy? Nice one. Excuse me while I go and lie down....

 

Regards proportional representation , I think we had a vote on it in 2011 . Personally I voted in favour but it was defeated so I don't see another vote on it anytime soon . I would add that a quick look at continental Europe and the idea of coalition government seems to be falling apart too . Take Germany , run via coalition government for years coutesy of the CDU / SDU parties . That coalition Is falling to pieces as as they hemmorage votes to the afd ( especially the SDU ) . Of course it's down to demographics and the mass non EU immigration their going to need . Germany's been very good at making cars over the years ; not so good at making babies but there you go , that's the position they find themselves in .

 

Sorry but Your thought pattern creates it.. Whilst I respect your views ..I dont agree... In years to come What next only people with blue eyes and blonde hair are deemed good enough to work.