British Democracy Forum - View Single Post - POlicies for dealing with voter disengagement?

Clippo · 02-03-2006, 02:26 PM

I interpret the ‘Reality’ section of the Power report as :-

1. General voter is not consulted as to their opinion on individual topics
2. Politicians don’t vote for the majority view of all of their constituents – they vote for policies developed by cabals within their own ideologies.
3. Our current political system is antiquated –although changing, it has rapidly been left behind by changes in society.
4. Although put INTO phpbb_the red herring section of the quote above, Politicians are now distrusted – IMO because of financial & personal behaviour questions. Politicians were once persons of ‘special’ skills or suitability for office. Not so now.
5. Although not stated specifically above, IMO politicians & parties now vote on short term issues for own personal benefit but none grasp the nettle of long term issues for the country’s benefit.

So, to answer Anthony:-

A. Consult the public on a wide range of issues & develop UKIP policies to promise to implement clear majority views when in power. A simple referenda promise a la Switzerland in the manifesto isn’t really enough.
B. Promise to hold detailed consultation / referenda (call them what you will) for topics where majority is less defined.
C. Dump/avoid any potential MPs, MEPs or people in positions of power in the party who have ‘baggage’, (financial or personal) ‘cos the News of the Screws or that ilk will surely find out & cast aspersions to the detriment of the whole UKIP party.
E. Although this suggestion doesn’t really follow from the Power report but more from personal observation of debates on this forum, don’t let UKIP develop ‘simplistic’ policies. By that I mean, for example over Crime & Punishment, prevention is better than cure – look for root causes – (one of my current hobby horses - ? is the current education system a root cause of crime etc?)

In my opinion, UKIP needs to been seen as a ‘different’ party to the established ones. UKIP can do nothing until they have an elected majority in the UK parliament. To do that UKIP have to attract votes from ALL sectors of society - not just Tory anti-EU fringe. The old way to attract voters was to promise tax cuts, more Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, and more ‘Bobbies on the beat’ and general paradise on earth.

No more dishonesty & waffle! - promise & deliver electorate participation !

02-03-2006, 02:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
Clippo Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cheshire Posts: 2,447	I interpret the ‘Reality’ section of the Power report as :- 1. General voter is not consulted as to their opinion on individual topics 2. Politicians don’t vote for the majority view of all of their constituents – they vote for policies developed by cabals within their own ideologies. 3. Our current political system is antiquated –although changing, it has rapidly been left behind by changes in society. 4. Although put INTO phpbb_the red herring section of the quote above, Politicians are now distrusted – IMO because of financial & personal behaviour questions. Politicians were once persons of ‘special’ skills or suitability for office. Not so now. 5. Although not stated specifically above, IMO politicians & parties now vote on short term issues for own personal benefit but none grasp the nettle of long term issues for the country’s benefit. So, to answer Anthony:- A. Consult the public on a wide range of issues & develop UKIP policies to promise to implement clear majority views when in power. A simple referenda promise a la Switzerland in the manifesto isn’t really enough. B. Promise to hold detailed consultation / referenda (call them what you will) for topics where majority is less defined. C. Dump/avoid any potential MPs, MEPs or people in positions of power in the party who have ‘baggage’, (financial or personal) ‘cos the News of the Screws or that ilk will surely find out & cast aspersions to the detriment of the whole UKIP party. E. Although this suggestion doesn’t really follow from the Power report but more from personal observation of debates on this forum, don’t let UKIP develop ‘simplistic’ policies. By that I mean, for example over Crime & Punishment, prevention is better than cure – look for root causes – (one of my current hobby horses - ? is the current education system a root cause of crime etc?) In my opinion, UKIP needs to been seen as a ‘different’ party to the established ones. UKIP can do nothing until they have an elected majority in the UK parliament. To do that UKIP have to attract votes from ALL sectors of society - not just Tory anti-EU fringe. The old way to attract voters was to promise tax cuts, more Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, and more ‘Bobbies on the beat’ and general paradise on earth. No more dishonesty & waffle! - promise & deliver electorate participation !