LEAST WORST OPTION
Democracy in Britain is
not a free choice. The candidates are limited by custom and
opportunity. Experience tells us that even the most idealistic and
dedicated elected representative is often effectively controlled,
sidelined and silenced by the establishment. Political parties, civil
servants, powerful interest groups and, too often, self interest and
ambition prevail over the welfare of the individual voter and their
community. No wonder that voting is so often a minority pastime.
In England the United
Kingdom Independence Party has become that least worst option for a
quarter of voters in the English Shires. UKIP has chosen popular
scapegoats to attack. The ills of the economy, they say, are due to
the mad ravages of the European Union, foreigners who march forward
relentlessly to impose a United states of Europe on an unsuspecting
continent. The lack of housing, decent schools and weekly rubbish
collection in your neighbourhood, they claim, is a result of your
council spending wildly on the immigrants from all over the world who
flock here to take our benefits and council houses. Importantly, UKIP
can promise to represent your wishes and your community without the
impressive record of disappointment and failure of the others on your
ballot paper.
In Wales the council
elections in Anglesey show another aspect of democracy. Problems in
that council led to Welsh government commissioners being brought in
to run the council. The problem was assumed to be due to the council
being run by Independent Councillors who were unable to provide
“stability”.The election was intended to produce “real”
political party councillors who apparently could be trusted to run a
council. Despite changing the ward boundaries, having multi-member
wards and reducing the number of councillors, the Independent
councillors still came out tops and promptly formed a coalition with
the tiny group of Labour councillors to run the show. Another
example of the least worst option for some voters not being the standard fare of the
old, failed political parties.
In Anglesey overall, UKIP came "4th" with over 7%, Conservatives 5th and Liberals 6th, both with a little over 5%.. The Old Guard has a credibility problem. Perhaps they should look at Bell's Principles for inspiration on how it should be done?