Reply to: Is the BBC 'Have Your Say' site representative?

[bogeyman]

Yes, you've missed something pretty fundemental: UK doesn't have "a democracy", UK has a "parliamentary democracy". The majority you speak of is those people in parliament.

HTH

Uh, yeah - I was indeed pointing out, in my rather oblique manner, that there is no democracy.

Thank you Captain Obvious.

[threaded]

But democracy means following the will of the majority, doesn't it?

Or did I miss something?

Yes, you've missed something pretty fundemental: UK doesn't have "a democracy", UK has a "parliamentary democracy". The majority you speak of is those people in parliament.

HTH

[Platypus]

The problem though dang65 that introducing a "right to self defence" would under English law be an even bigger change than the Human Rights Act and fantastically disruptive. Small wonder he cried off.

Could you explain this or point me to some links which do. Thanks.

EDIT: some Googling finds several pages which seem to be at odds with your statement.

[bogeyman]

Uh, yeah, I grasped that. It's the Right Wing majority you need to be explaining this to.

But democracy means following the will of the majority, doesn't it?

Or did I miss something?

[dang65]

The problem though dang65 that introducing a "right to self defence" would under English law be an even bigger change than the Human Rights Act and fantastically disruptive. Small wonder he cried off.

Uh, yeah, I grasped that. It's the Right Wing majority you need to be explaining this to.

[oracleslave]

The government will take a 'hands off' approach to running said bank, but have already installed a sock-puppet on the board.

Not the trucker I hope!

[bogeyman]

It's quite simple really. Opposition of the prevailing government is always more vocal than support/indifference. When/if the Tories get back in they will all shut up again and it'll be the lefties in majority on these have your say topics.

Sounds like a reasonable hypothesis.

Everyone complains about the government.

However, with this bunch I feel the electorate really does have a lot to complain about.

Apparently we've all just bought shares in a bank, but won't be allowed to know what goes on there. The government will take a 'hands off' approach to running said bank, but have already installed a sock-puppet on the board.

It goes on and on.

They make the Major government look like superstars.

[Devlin]

It's quite simple really. Opposition of the prevailing government is always more vocal than support/indifference. When/if the Tories get back in they will all shut up again and it'll be the lefties in majority on these have your say topics.

[Platypus]

You never hear them complain though, do you? Bless.

Well, as it happens, I was talking to this bloke the other day in the pub and he said, and I agreed, that things are really going down hill now that zzzzz ....

[threaded]

The problem though dang65 that introducing a "right to self defence" would under English law be an even bigger change than the Human Rights Act and fantastically disruptive. Small wonder he cried off.

[dang65]

But seriously, if the right wing loonies are the majority, then what with democracy and all that, they shouldn't be in check, they should be running the shop.

You never hear them complain though, do you? Bless.

[Platypus]

the Right Wing loony majority

You mean CUK ?

But seriously, if the right wing loonies are the majority, then what with democracy and all that, they shouldn't be in check, they should be running the shop. Sheesh, Saddam, whatever next.

[dang65]

There was a competition on the Today programme on Radio 4 a few years ago where listeners had to send in proposals for a new law and the one which got the most votes would be supported by a volunteer MP who agreed to campaign in parliament to have it introduced.

The winner was a law which would allow homeowners to defend their property against intruders in any way they saw fit - shotguns, boiling oil, mantraps etc.

When the winner was announced, the MP immediately pulled out of the agreement!

Although our political system is frustratingly dense and proper reforms appear to be almost impossible to pass through parliament, it has to be said that the same system at least keeps the Right Wing loony majority in check.

[shaunbhoy]

The few times that I have read through the HYS parts the majority of the comments have struck me as being left-wing tripe.

That is precisely the conclusion I drew. Too many wishy-washy contributors for it to be representative if you ask me. About as impartial as their phone-voting systems.

[Churchill]

PS I am 32

Judging by your avatar, you've had a hard life mate!