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New votes for old
Posted By: Dale Mulgrew
Date Posted: 03/01/2011
Can I begin by wishing all browsers of Rochdale Online a happy and healthy New Year!
Clearly there will be many political events in this coming year, not least a referendum in May to offer a new type of politics.
Politics in the UK is at a seminal fork in the road. It can continue to drift and hope that the very people it serves will reclaim an interest, or a radical change can occur to bring the elected representative closer to the people.
Surely it is healthier for a democracy if the electoral system in operation requires the winning candidate to attract the support of more than half of its voters?
I support the need for a progressive change to our electorate system, and I am thrilled that such a high profile figure as the Labour Party leader - Ed Milliband is also backing the “Yes” campaign.
It is interesting to find that Mr Milliband's party has a confidence in the voting system that will be proposed in May's ballot. The Labour party does use the Alternative Vote for its own internal elections.
So readers may find it somewhat curious that Rochdale's Labour MP - Simon Danczuk will be joining the “No” campaign against a change to the same Alternative Voting system for UK Parliamentary elections.
How strange for someone who campaigned on a platform of change against the former MP, but now appears to be an anti-reformer?
Although he may be very happy with the old system - it allows him to be less accountable for a 80p bus ticket claim on the taxpayer.
However, I do hope that Mr Danczuk can reconsider? And also campaign for a wider push on a fresh era of new politics, with the question on reform of the Lords finally answered during this Parliament.
If not then it appears that what is good enough for the Labour party, is clearly too good for Rochdale.
This could be the sign of things to come.
More Entries By Dale Mulgrew
- Walking with a Smile! Date posted: 29/05/2012
- An act of betrayal: introducing the Rochdale Labour Party Date posted: 29/02/2012
- "Joint working" - surely the only way forward Date posted: 06/08/2011
- Is democracy an unwanted friend? Date posted: 22/07/2011
- Swings and a roundabout Date posted: 12/05/2011
- Well done Elwyn! Date posted: 14/01/2011
- Councillor diaries - they should be used more, but……… Date posted: 08/06/2010
- My Report to Council Date posted: 15/01/2010
- My report to Council Date posted: 19/10/2009
- My Letter to RBH Date posted: 16/09/2009
- NEW BROAD LANE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS Date posted: 19/08/2009
- My report to Council Date posted: 23/07/2009
- CABINET MEMBER REPORT TO THE COUNCIL Date posted: 01/05/2009
- Fuel Poverty and a Poverty of facts! Date posted: 15/04/2009
- Setting the record straight Date posted: 13/02/2009
- My Report to Council Date posted: 10/02/2009
- First Class Care. Date posted: 06/01/2009
- My report to council Date posted: 17/10/2008
- My report to council Date posted: 07/10/2008
- My report to the Council. Date posted: 13/02/2008
- Individual at the heart Date posted: 07/09/2007
- Schools decision has to be the right one Date posted: 05/06/2007
- Trust in the future for sport and culture Date posted: 20/03/2007
- All the World is a Stage Date posted: 07/03/2007
- Speech given at Council on the 7th of February: the crisis besetting the future of Greater Manchester Police Funding. Date posted: 07/02/2007
