The British electorate (at least those south of the border), are largely disenfranchised with the political status quo… The current Westminster system requires urgent root and branch change if this country is not to drift down a lane to impoverishment and disillusionment; a rise in power of ultra-right or left wing groups with the possibly of leading to prolonged home-grown violence and civil unrest.
The current three-party system does not now fully reflect the aspirations of a majority of the British public. We seem to lurch between times of over-generous spending, to periods of savage cuts to public services – read Wilson, Thatcher, Blair and now Cameron. In 2015, we are probably looking at being presented with further swinging cuts to all manner of public services and to grants that help fund many other areas of British life. After the next election, local government, health, environment and defence are possibly going to suffer cuts ‘not seen since the 1930’s.’
The country has to live within its means. We have to face up to the fact that if we want decent services, a rich and diverse environment and a strong defence forces to protect our way of life, then we have to accept that taxes are going to need to rise a modest amount to help pay for them. The alternative over the next decade is too miserable to even contemplate.
Overhaul of the system in my opinion, including proportional representation (and possibly some element of federal government?) should be brought to bear on the current electoral system together with a fully-elected second chamber to scrutinize the decisions of the first chamber. The House of Commons should be a smaller chamber, operating in 21st century efficient surroundings like those of Holyrood and Cardiff. The current public school-boy baying in the Commons should be swiftly consigned to history. MP’s should not be allowed to stand for office until they had spent at least five years fully employed in mainstream employment or having served a similar period in one of our public services.