I just read something about the 'British Freedom Party' on another thread, so I thought I'd look up a bit of background about them and UKIP, to see why people split from UKIP. So I was doing a bit of reading about UKIP, who I've always had mixed feelings about based on their public pronouncements, and I found the following:
Introduce ‘Direct Democracy’ whereby 5% of the national or local electorate can demand a binding referendum on any issue. At national level, people will have to sign up for the referendum within six months, at local level, within three months
For a long time, it has been clear that there is a major discrepancy between the will of the people and the views of our elected politicians, writes UKIP General Secretary Jonathan Arnott,
On matters of national importance, the public often genuinely have no say whatsoever in their own future – even at a General Election.
Whether it is war in Iraq and Afghanistan (decided by our elected politicians during the term of a Parliament) or key moral issues (such as euthanasia, capital punishment or animal rights), a large chunk of the decisions taken by our Parliament in Westminster have no mandate from the British people.
UKIP are known for holding elected MPs to account over their broken pledges of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty; now we must stand for allowing the British people a basic say on important matters which concern them.
Only by allowing the public to force a binding referendum on any issue that matters to them (through a set number of registered voters petitioning to demand one) can we ensure that Parliament becomes truly accountable.
The usual argument against this ‘Direct Democracy’ is to denigrate the intelligence of the British people, arguing that the public do not ‘fully understand’ the issues involved and that kneejerk legislation is inevitable.
Rubbish! The Dangerous Dogs Act and the handgun ban prove that Parliament is itself quite capable of such a kneejerk reaction; the time taken to hold a proper, balanced referendum campaign would in fact be the perfect antidote. Nor are MPs experts in every field.
Another argument often raised is the cost, yet this is not an issue in Switzerland or most US states. Referenda could be held at the same time as Council elections, giving the public more incentive to vote and increasing turnout. The extra cost would be tiny but the benefit to the principle of democracy would be priceless.
If UKIP is a party of democracy when we oppose the European Union and its anti-democratic nature, then we must also be a party of democracy in our domestic affairs.
Parliament should now exist to take emergency executive decisions, represent their constituents, and to deal with the day-to-day legislation required for running the country.
Centuries ago, democracy had to be representative for a reason. When it took days to travel from one end of the country to another, a referendum could not exist. But there is no point in trying to justify such an outdated system in a modern society.
It is surely time for the UKIP to drag UK democracy kicking and screaming into the 21st Century!
In my view, they should be leading their electoral campaigns with this issue, this is arguably even more important the the EU. Because these are the kind of cunts that they're up against, who believe in the rule of a handful over the many:
I also don't like referendum. I don't agree with direct democracy. I believe in Parliamentary democracy, instead. I think referendums are devices that the Executive (including dictators) use to appeal over the heads of the Establishment to the People, creating the classical alliance between Monarch and Mob that Whigs like me have always opposed.
I think 'Whigs' is the wrong word, I'm sure you meant "Wankers". What a fucking load of tosh. Every MP swears the following oath:
While holding a copy of the New Testament (or, in the case of a Jew or Muslim, the Old Testament or the Koran) a Member swears: "I...swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."
The text of the affirmation is: - "I...do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors according to law".
What is that if not a "classical alliance between Monarch and mob", Dr. Fucking Andrew Lilico? Did you apply for your PhD through mail order? Go and ask Swiss people if they'd swap their system for a 'Constitutional Monarchy', you fucking halfwit. They'll laugh in your face.
Of course, the irony is that UKIP don't have to actually stick to the direct democracy policy if by some impossible event they ever form the government! And they have to go along with the oath of allegiance even if they opposed it (I don't see any evidence that they do). But the fact that they advocate it does count in their credit, in my eyes.
I might even consider about thinking about putting some effort into registering to vote...
The true measure of a man is not his intelligence or how high he rises in this freak establishment. The true measure of a man is this: how quickly he can respond to the needs of others and how much of himself he can give - Philip K. Dick.
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In 21st century England do people really still have to do this?:
While holding a copy of the New Testament (or, in the case of a Jew or Muslim, the Old Testament or the Koran) a Member swears: “I…swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
The meanings that are the most directly practical are the ones that are sacrificed: the flavor, aroma and touch are abolished to the profit of the delusions that permanently lead sight and hearing astray.
I like some of their ideas and some of the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems but I wouldn't vote for any of them because they are all a bunch of.. Cucumber and cheese go really well in a sandwich.
You've got to give a little love To those who love to live.
You've got to take a little hate From those who have to wait - Phil Lynott
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Re: The Most Positive Thing I've Read About UKIP
12 Nov 2012 21:56 #6
I pretty much agree with all the comments. I will give them credit, though, for actually making reference to direct democracy, I'm not aware of any other British political party that has, certainly no 'mainstream' party would ever do so.
The true measure of a man is not his intelligence or how high he rises in this freak establishment. The true measure of a man is this: how quickly he can respond to the needs of others and how much of himself he can give - Philip K. Dick.
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