Wednesday 11 January 2012

From ill-thought out ideas for electoral gain......

......flows problem after problem after problem.

When Tony Blair, in the 1997 general election promised devolution to Scotland and Wales, it was without doubt done to gain electoral advantage and, it could be argued being the advocate of EU membership that he was, it also allowed him to further the division of the United Kingdom as a nation thus fulfilling the aims of the EU where the creation of 'regions' was concerned.

With devolution all Blair did was to fan the flames, especially in Scotland, of independence from 'Westminster' - a policy which, in common with most policies drawn up by politicians, was not 'thought through'. This failure could be said to be part of the process by which politicians perpetuate their own requirement to exist in the first place, one that allows them to continue on the basis there is a need for them to 'correct' their past errors.

Any fool with only one brain cell could have foreseen that the situation we now have with what one may call the 'Scottish Problem', would arise.  It was also obvious that it would result in the present position wherein we now have the political elite flying round in the manner of the proverbial 'blue-arsed' fly attempting to maintain the 'status quo' - aka the continuance of 'central rule' encapsulated in which is their own individual power.

It has been noted that Alex Salmond may well include a third 'option' in his required referendum, one which would permit Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom, on certain conditions as yet not specified (to my knowledge). The fact that this entire 'devolution' question could have been resolved far easier - and more amicably - by means of the introduction of Direct Democracy across the United Kingdom is becoming more and more undeniable. That our politicians did not consider this is obvious as the old phrase comes to mind, namely do turkeys vote for Christmas - in other words, would politicians vote for their own demise where the exercise of power is concerned?

When will politicians learn not to open a 'Pandora's Box' without realising what it contains? A rhetorical question as whilst politicians are allowed to continue with their 'elected dictatorship' - aka representative democracy - that realisation will never dawn. It is with a view to changing the status quo, to stir debate on the type of democracy under which we wish to live, that the site talkconstitution.net has been created wherein an attempt to resolve the problems caused through continual political usurpation of power by politicians is being discussed.

If, like me, you consider this question of democracy - and the ramifications thereof - to be one of importance, then do please get over there, register and get involved!

It is, after all, the future of us all that is up for discussion.

3 comments:

TomTom said...

Actually Blair inherited Devolution as a policy from John Smith who had been a Junior Minister in Callaghan's Government when it was held to ransom by the SNP

cosmic said...

Devolution was always a question of expediency. Had it been done on principle, it would never have been so lopsided.

Direct democracy is far too radical a solution to appeal to the political classes.

One thing I've noticed in these discussions over the years is that Scottish and Welsh nationalism are OK, in fact a bit of a lark. When I've mentioned the question of English nationalism, it's been made clear that I'm talking about something very nasty.

Back in the late 70s the Labour Party was toying with the idea, also hatched a lopsided solution and seemed happy when it went away.

The thing with Blair was that he dared to be great, but he wasn't really very great and was informed by self-interest, as in messing with the House of Lords, really rigging it and having no proper solution to replace it. That man has a lot to answer for.

WitteringsfromWitney said...

TT: Fair comment although I am sure you might agree that Blair pushed it for more than Smith might have done.

c: DD is only radical because not many people know of it or its aims. Tell the people and you may find it catches on far quicker than you may think.