tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post7474413114494174415..comments2023-05-27T10:29:17.441+01:00Comments on Little's Log: The People's Jury: Guilty or Not Guilty?Antonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09165606568016036829noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-84759202615480141802011-08-05T11:16:22.918+01:002011-08-05T11:16:22.918+01:00Agh! This is SO hard for me and I admit I am a de...Agh! This is SO hard for me and I admit I am a democracy-hypocrite. I support democracy at all levels and about anything; I admire the US system (seperation of powers, federalism) and think the more say we are given (even if people choose not to use it) the better. I'd, for exampe, have Primaries for general elections and a series of referenda held every year on local election day. I'd also have PR for local elections which, I admit, would give the Tories in places like Fenland or Breckland, a real shake up. BUT at the same time I appreciate if we adhere to democracy we would withdraw from the EU and bring back hanging. Havign said that, I'm all-or-nothing. No pick 'n' mix menu. I'd go for democracy any day and throw down the guantlett to politicians to go out there, lead public opinion and tell us why the EU is good and hanging is bad.Antonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09165606568016036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-14426099643845406062011-08-05T10:17:00.354+01:002011-08-05T10:17:00.354+01:00Thank you Antony for clearing it up.
Do you think...Thank you Antony for clearing it up.<br /><br />Do you think direct democracy could gain greater utility on a local government level? Say for example local authorities holding referrendums on certain issues and policies?Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-36771933259283554262011-08-05T09:28:15.188+01:002011-08-05T09:28:15.188+01:00Peter -apols I wasn't clear. I literally mean...Peter -apols I wasn't clear. I literally meant to go to any council estate anywhere in the country - you choose - but where you would expect to find strongest Labour support. I know, perhaps more than most, how to make council estates vote Tory, but even on the staunchest of Labour estates you'll find these views!Antonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09165606568016036829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-58180388587613764322011-08-05T09:01:38.664+01:002011-08-05T09:01:38.664+01:00"Go to a council estate anywhere in the count..."Go to a council estate anywhere in the country, where you might expect Labour support to be strongest".<br /><br />I am sorry Antony but I have to comment on this one. Labour isn't necessarily the strongest in council estates and you are at risk of dangerously stereotyping. <br /><br />There are a few council estates in Norwich were Greens are elected, or in the past have Conservative councillors. Remember you have been a council representing a council estate in the past.<br /><br />I would agree partly with your statement that Britain is Conservative with a small 'c' but even then you have to define what you mean by a small c Conservative. I would probably argue that Britain has become more pluralistic in nature and it is hard to pinpoint whether Britain is more Conservative, Liberal, Left wing.<br /><br />I would expect you to not like the idea of 'direct' democracy because it does challenge the Burkian idea which you may uphold of Elitism. I myself personally do not have a problem with direct democracy on some issues, but not others.Peternoreply@blogger.com