Is it possible for the electorate to put forward a vote of no confidence in its government ?

Question

Outside of a general election. I really can't wait any longer!!

Answer 1

The government would like us to think that we have democracy in this country. But if you think it through, we don’t. At best, we have an elected dictatorship. We vote a political party into office (usually in protest against the previous one) and that party’s leader becomes PM and he/she dictates to us for four years. If any of the cabinet disagrees too much, the PM just sacks them and appoints new puppets. That is totally undemocratic. When any cabinet motion goes to parliament, the party whips force the MPs to vote the way the PM and his cabinet wants them to vote (or they suffer the consequences). That again is totally undemocratic. We are told that we elect an MP to represent our constituency. But, if you think about it, that is not what happens. We actually elect the member of a certain political party to vote the way the PM (or the opposition leader) wants them to vote. I believe we should get rid of party politics altogether and all MPs should be independent and have a free vote on all motions after consulting for the views of the constituency they represent. Those MPs should elect the cabinet (with the power to change that cabinet), and the cabinet should elect the PM (with the power to change the PM).

Answer 2

Only (legally) through a general election. Despite the deranged ramblings of one or two of the respondents to your question, democracy is actually quite healthy in this country. We did put it into modern practice, after all. The issue of voting for "none of the above" has always been an option I might add - its called "spoiling your paper". Basically you just put a line through all the candidates, or scribble on it or whatever. This is why they announce the number of spoiled papers when the Returning Officer announces the overall votes - these are deemed to be the protest votes. Sadly people in the UK are extremely poorly educated in voting, citizenship, social responsibility etc and therefore many do not see the connection between their vote and the way the country is run. Thus we have a country of know-it-all whingers! As the radio ad said "if you don't do politics, there isn't much you do do".

Answer 3

It probably is possible - but it would a need a lot of people (and Im talking thousands, maybe even tens or hundreds of thousands) all banding together, commiting to putting forward the vote of no confidence and if no-one listens, then you'd be talking full scale riots.

Plus, unless you want to live in a state of complete anarchy, you'd need to come up with an alternative to what's going on now. I agree Labour are making a real hash of everything, and I bitterly regret voting for them - but the other parties have little to offer and I don't think I'd vote for them either.

Answer 4

Unfortunately there is no legal proviso for that. You can send a signal to the parties when there is a by-election (and there were three in Britain yesterday and people sent clear messages there) but otherwise there is little you can do. Your next chance is the next general election.
The only other two options you have are:
1) Start a revolution (which is not that easy) or
2) Leave the country and move to a place that is better (that's what I have done after Blair decided to support Bush's illegal war).

Answer 5

The people in power will not give it up easily, we may have to fight for an end to inequality.

If there was a choice on the voting ballot saying "none of the above, change the system" then it would be a landslide.

Answer 6

it's called a general strike.

mass electoral apathy usually results in a takeover by extremist groups (such as the fascists).

perhaps you should be living in afghanistan or somalia.

Answer 7

No.
Local elections?
Start a new party if you want to make a difference.

Answer 8

a general strike could work

Answer 9

I think they call that a revolution

Answer 10

No