Upsetting Applecarts

Jeremy Clarkson - the nation's favourite 'petrolhead' - took to Twitter the other day to say that he was considering running for Parliament by standing as an independent MP for Doncaster North - the Labour leader, Ed Miliband's, seat.

But a short while later the BBC Top Gear presenter said that he was a bit drunk at the time of his original Tweet - and that instead of Doncaster North he really meant Sheffield Hallam, the seat of the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg.

Either way I think it would be a bit of fun and would bring some much needed spice back into politics - which are completely dominated by the mainstream parties who could do with having their feathers ruffled by a few mavericks - people of more independent mind than your average Labour, Tory or Lib Dem MP.

In different ways the party machines conspire against the voters - denying people what they really want often - while stating their complete support for public opinion when it suits their purpose.     

How else to explain the lack of a referendum on Europe, for example - or the exclusion of a Devo Max question on next year's vote on Scottish independence - on so many issues MPs like to say that the views of the public are paramount, but when push comes to shove they conveniently ignore public opinion.

So, I say go for it Jeremy.

Because a few independents throwing their hats in the ring would certainly liven up an otherwise dull election campaign - and might even upset the odd applecart.

At the very least it would give the party leaders something else to think about in their own political backyards.

Democracy on Tap (4 September 2013)

One of the interesting things to emerge from the encouraging outbreak of democracy in the Westminster Parliament recently - is the new found desire of MPs to be seen representing the views of their constituents.

Now I'm all for a a more direct democracy where the views of ordinary voters count not just the occasional votes of party politicians - although I do recognise that this might be a mixed blessing in some ways.

For example here are a range of policies - some of which I support and some of which I don't - but I suspect just about all of them would win majority support if put to a vote of ordinary people.

1. Restoring the death penalty
2. Withdrawing from the European Union (in England at least)
3. A ban on immigration to the UK
4. An end to all UK overseas aid
5. Publicly identifying paedophiles in the community
6. Cutting the 'knackers' off repeat and/or violent rapists
7. Life prison sentences to mean life 
8. A clampdown on MPs having second jobs
9. A clampdown and cap on MPs outside earnings
10. Devo Max as a second question in the referendum on Scottish independence
11. Abolishing the Trident missile programme
12. Abolishing the House of Lords
13. Legalising cannabis 
14. Decriminalising assisted suicide 
15. A power of recall over all politicians - MPs, MSPs and councillors

Now if all these MPs say that the views of their constituent were paramount an vital when it came to a possible military strike on Syria - how come on so many other big issues MPs don't give a toss what the voters think?

Every opinion poll that's been taken in recent years says that the vast majority of Scots support Devo Max and more powers for the Scottish Parliament - yet the voters are not being allowed that question on the ballot paper - because we're too dumb, apparently, to cope with more than one question and a straight Yes or No.

So, I'm not in the least impressed by the Westminster MPs who suddenly embrace the views of their constituents as all important - because it seems to me that this is only true so long as the voters' views can be turned 'on and off' like a tap.