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November 18, 2008
Douglas Carswell - reform champion
This report of the CAER / ERS fringe at Conservative party conference got lost amidst the files on my computer but, even if slightly belatedly, deserves to be published. For at the meeting a true, and blue, electoral reformer emerged; who put the case for changing from FPTP to STV in as unequivocal and Conservative language as we have heard in years. Step forward Douglas Carswell MP. Here are a few of the things he said. But it is also worth reading his new book: 'The Plan - twelve months to renew Britain'.
“I think we have a rotten parliament that is useless to holding the executive to account. I am not a small c conservative."
"The system that we have is problematic and is a 19th century institution that needs to be changed."
"60-70% of Mps are safe - that is why parliament is supine.."
"The solution is change. We should be the party of change. We need to do to our politics what Margaret Thatcher did to our economy."
"I think multi member constituencies could well be part of this [change]."
"Proper competition in multi-member constituencies. Choice as Tories we think is a good thing. We need it in our politics."
"Multi member constituencies combined with open primaries would give everyone in the country a real say in who becomes MPs and who runs the country."
"It would recognising coalitions within politics. Grown up politics which may lead to higher participation."
"I have become anti-status quo as 15 years of elective dictatorship couldn’t possibly deliver conservative stuff. Institutions and quango state have a default setting that is to the centre left. That is why we need direct democracy and reform. It is not just about controlling the green benches."
Posted by malcolmclark on November 18, 2008
Comments
"The solution is change. We should be the party of change. We need to do to our politics what Margaret Thatcher did to our economy."
"I have become anti-status quo as 15 years of elective dictatorship couldn’t possibly deliver conservative stuff. Institutions and quango state have a default setting that is to the centre left."
I do not think there should be too much rejoicing over Douglas Carswell’s apparent conversion. From what he has said I imagine that he will easily be converted back to FPTP when he comes up against Kawczynski and his ilk. He clearly has not thought through the implications for the Tories of getting rid of FPTP.
For a start he does not seem to realise that "what Margaret Thatcher did for our economy", apart from being a complete disaster and a large element in fostering the present financial crisis, was entirely due to the fact that we had what he claims to deplore so much - a minority elective dictatorship, a basic feature of FPTP.
Secondly I must say that I do not in the least understand the second quotation above. In fact FPTP does the precise opposite of what he seems to be saying: it ensures permanent Tory policy whichever of the Tweedle Dum/Tweedle Dee parties is in government, simply because, under FPTP, elections are won or lost in the marginal seats which are largely influenced by the right-wing press. So parties in framing policy are always looking over their shoulders at what Murdoch is going to say (hence he formation of NEW Labour of course - in close consultation with
Murdoch).
Finally, it is contradiction in terms to say that the CONSERVATIVE party is the party of change. Even if they changed their name the party would still contain the likes of Norman Tebbitt who will prevail if the party gets back in power.
Posted by: Joe Patterson at November 18, 2008 11:38 AM
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