A sense of proportion

It is a matter of sadness to me that I am unlikely to see any system of proportional representation come about for Westminster elections in my lifetime. It seems a long time since I was heavily committed to campaigns to change our voting system – hell, it is a long time since the early 80s and we still have the first past the post system which has brought us “strong” government and, in my opinion, an electorate who are reluctant to vote if they see, rationally, that their vote is not going to change anything, as in the British equivalents of American “Yellow Dog States” where it is said, a yellow dog with the right rosette gets voted in. British constituencies where, we used to say, they weigh the votes rather than count them.

One the particular aspects of the current MPs expenses scandal – and I think it is a scandal – is that it is offends just about everyone who isn’t an MP (and it offends quite a few of those who are decent and understand the word Honourable). Those who are working in jobs with low salaries and no possible claims of expenses just don’t understand how people earning twice the national average salary are able to use this device to act effectively as property developers People who do have to claim expenses wonder why the MPs don’t have to present proof of every purchase and justify it, unemployed people wonder why they are pursued through the courts if they make a genuine mistake in their benefits claims and anyone paying tax marvels at the way the legislators managed to exempt themselves from stamp duty and other taxes related to house sales.

Beyond that, those who have always thought that MPs were money-grubbing, power hungry semi-crooked characters feel vindicated (although they should not – we know the names of a few good guys). Those, like me and people who know or have known MPs and have defended them against often silly critics. We think it reasonable that people who represent a constituency way out of London should have some place to sleep when they are working in the capital and we also think our MPs should be paid a good professional wage. The alternative is leaving politics to the wealthy who can afford expensive hobbies. But we have been completely shocked by the level of the chiselling and also made to feel fools. I have heard people who passionately defend democracy and the responsibility of voting (and that includes me) say that for the first time in their adult life they will not vote.

One possibility that comes from this (although frankly I don’t think it will happen in any meaningful way) is that independent candidates emerge. A friend pointed out how successful the MP for Wyre Valley, Dr Richard Taylor who was voted in to stand against the closure of his local hospital has been. He was voted in for a second term which is unusual for single issue MPs, except he isn’t single issue any more. Indeed, as Marina Hyde pointed out, he has been trying to shine some light on the expenses issue. One of the inhibitions on people like Dr Taylor is that the electoral system just doesn’t give them a chance unless there are very special circumstances.

Well these are special circumstances. I think it’s time for a full and proper reform of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, just as long ago Tony Blair pledged to do. And a system that would be fairer and would mean that votes count and that a far wider more diverse group of people were elected, who when they were in Parliament would have to be much better negotiatiors and representatives rather than just being lobby fodder should be part of it. I’ve had enought of strong government with long periods of one-party rule and the complacency and contempt of the voters that too often comes with it.