Clare vs. John

[chickenfeet]

Clare Short speaking to the BBC earlier:

"What we're getting is a bubble of these clever people who've captured the state, don't need a party, don't need any members, don't have turbulent people having opinions, who then get money from rich people and run our state without consulting anyone else."

She's absolutely right of course. The key issues in creating a healthy democracy are reducing the power of the centre and finding ways to involve more people in the political process in a way that actually influences outcomes. There's a word for it. It's called democracy.

John Prescott a little later:

"To my mind it'll lead to the conclusion of state financing. I think there is an argument for capping but I think all the political parties certainly need to sit down...and come to a decision so we can have healthy financing for a healthy democracy."

Poor John, he really doesn't get it. The last thing any of us need is more of our money being handed over to the gangsters so that they can persuade us to keep them in office How will state financing of parties reduce the overweaning power of party leaders and their unelected cliques? Don't bother to answer that.

Comments

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

It sounds to me that Clare Short is describing a coup d'etat.

It occurred to me on Friday, as I was walking home from work listening to the Labour treasurer's protestations that he knew nothing about the loans (so where did he think all that money came from - or was he not shown the bank statements, either?) that perhaps political parties should be denied large loans and donations. If they had to raise the money only from their supporters' membership fees, they might actually work harder to do what they promise.

And the rest of us would have a quiter time.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

If they had to raise the money only from their supporters' membership fees, they might actually work harder to do what they promise.

Better still, they'd have a hard time keeping members out of the decision making process.

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

Heartily agree with this.