In this series of short articles, which first appeared in the July print edition of Byline Times, Compass highlights just some of the work from its ‘New Settlement’ project.
This combination of "solutions" is becoming popular, but it completely ignores the economic reality that for fifty years we have been transferring wealth from the poor to the rich and from poor countries to rich countries. As long as we have destructive, anti-social mega-corporations operating completely outside of the law we cannot have democracy. The actual voting system simply shuffles the lifeboats whilst more people drown. Unequal distribution of wealth is the problem and will remain as long as we just play with voting systems.
I dont disagree about the role of wealth John - the issue is how do change the the rules on how wealth is and power is redistributed? The Compass view is that its almost impossible under first past the post - which demands you appease the very rich and powerful and via then a few swing voters in a few swing seats. PR helps create a more level playing filed as everyones vote counts equally - allowing issues oaf wealth and ownership to be tabled - to change society we have to change the system
Thanks for responding. I think it's clear from previous elections under this system that there can be radical change which helps the mass of people. The startling issue is our lack of will and determination to offer those policies and then to pursue them. In 2010 we offered Tory light policies and got booted out. The proposer of those policies went on to team up with man that wrecked the country and both of them now crow about being "the adults in the room". We failed at the policy fence. This election we have committed to sticking to the very policies which will fail our people again, but at least we had the support of the dirty digger and the bankers! The voting system played no part whatsoever.
we disagree John. FPTP enables Labour to force members and voters to accept the lesser of two evils. it is the disciplining force for Neo-liberal policy. PR is not a panacea - but it opens up the debate via choice and competition
This combination of "solutions" is becoming popular, but it completely ignores the economic reality that for fifty years we have been transferring wealth from the poor to the rich and from poor countries to rich countries. As long as we have destructive, anti-social mega-corporations operating completely outside of the law we cannot have democracy. The actual voting system simply shuffles the lifeboats whilst more people drown. Unequal distribution of wealth is the problem and will remain as long as we just play with voting systems.
I dont disagree about the role of wealth John - the issue is how do change the the rules on how wealth is and power is redistributed? The Compass view is that its almost impossible under first past the post - which demands you appease the very rich and powerful and via then a few swing voters in a few swing seats. PR helps create a more level playing filed as everyones vote counts equally - allowing issues oaf wealth and ownership to be tabled - to change society we have to change the system
Thanks for responding. I think it's clear from previous elections under this system that there can be radical change which helps the mass of people. The startling issue is our lack of will and determination to offer those policies and then to pursue them. In 2010 we offered Tory light policies and got booted out. The proposer of those policies went on to team up with man that wrecked the country and both of them now crow about being "the adults in the room". We failed at the policy fence. This election we have committed to sticking to the very policies which will fail our people again, but at least we had the support of the dirty digger and the bankers! The voting system played no part whatsoever.
we disagree John. FPTP enables Labour to force members and voters to accept the lesser of two evils. it is the disciplining force for Neo-liberal policy. PR is not a panacea - but it opens up the debate via choice and competition