Can we sack the government?

Question

I am sick and tired of living in a country (England) that is run by completely incompetent people.

As a democracy we are free to elect by majority vote - could we therefore sack a government by a majority vote? If so, how would we go about initiating this voting process and action?

Answer 1

I totally agree - They are useless!

The Queen cannot sack them under 'parliament sovereignty' - The government can sack her!

Answer 2

In United Kingdom (and some other parliamentary systems of government), the excutive government is drawn from and is answerable to Parliament .

This means that a successful vote of no confidence will force the government either to resign or to seek a parliamentary dissolution and a general election.

That is, if a majority of the members of the parliament decide that the government should be sacked, they can initiate a "no-confidence motion" against the government and force it resign and dissolve the parliament/seek a general election.

Thus, if the citizens want the government to resign, they'll have to convince their elected representiatives to initiate a no-confidence motion against the government.

Obviously, if the elected representatives are themselves a part of the excutive government, they'll most probably not initiate the motion. Also, in order for the motion to be successful, a majority of votes will need to be against the government.

However, during such no-confidence motions, the members of parliament rarely vote the way the people whom they represent want them to. In practice, they are strictly controlled by whips who try to ensure they vote according to party policy.

If you are willing to use an unconstitutional way, go for a revolution (not recommended -- I don't think the situation is that bad in England).

Answer 3

No. If you don't like the government, you need to contribute to a majority that votes them out when an election is called.

There is no way to 'sack' a government. If you think about it, the majority of people probably voted for someone that is not the government but the party which got the most votes was Labour - so they won the election.

Answer 4

I agree, but what does that say about the voters; perhaps they need sacking. Actually, in England, there were more Tory votes than Labour votes. So, we have the Scots to thank for this government, also, I think, the English female vote. Being naive and idealistic, as they are. Isn't Mr Blair a nice man, and all that.

Answer 5

Unfortunately not. However, I feel that the period of office is too long and I also feel that no Primeminister should be able to be in office for more than two terms. Two many long term primeministers and leaders get doodally after too long in power (Churchill, Thatcher) and I vote Tory. I also feel that parties are elected on their manifesto but as soon as they get in, all other issues arise for which they do not have a mandate. In those cases, I think that there should be referendum. Re the lady who remembers life under the Tories, when they took over office from Callaghan, inflation was running at 25% mortgage interest rates were 15.5% people were losing their houses, jobs and everything else. When Blair won his first election, he inherited the strongest economy this country had ever had. Inflation was down to 2.1% Mortgage interest 5%, For this Brown takes all the credit. hasn't stopped him taxing us out of existance though. What is Brown's, answer to destroying our (and my) pensions? Pass a law saying we can work till we are 80!!

Answer 6

Foremost, you use the term "democracy" very loosely. A democracy is a government run where each person has an equal share in the government. That is to say, each man and woman represents themselves.

I believe you are referring to a representative democracy. In this sort of government, each person has an equal vote as to whom their representative should be.

To answer your question - No, you cannot sack a government as a whole.

There is a need to fill each position that becomes open so that the duties and functions of that position are continued. If all members of government were fired at one time, there would be no one to replace them. Thus, there are rolling elections where certain members leave the government at certain times.

In all honesty, what you are asking for is an exercise in anarchy. Rolling elections are critical to the survival of the regime. If your plan were put into action, there would be no England.

Answer 7

In theory, it is "Her Majesty's" Government although traditionally she does not interfere.

A democracy implies that an informrd public choose from a set of options but the current system of elected representatives is best called a Republic. Once elected, unfortunately, they have the "power".

The other sad fact is that there is really no opposition. Just the same stuff re-branded, leaving a "Hobson's choice" dilemma.

Answer 8

Sadly not.
We could get the government to tackle the things that most of the general public see as the real problems; immigration, house prices, law and order, nhs, pensions etc - pay the politicians £20k a year with three weeks holiday, take away their health and pension perks and make them live in the real world with the rest of us.
How such a change could ever be implemented I don't know, maybe somebody else does.

Answer 9

You have to decide if you want a democracy or not.We have a democratically elected government in power with a large majority.If you wish to live in a democracy then you must accept that the majority rules.

Answer 10

We cant sack the government, all we can do is not vote for them in the next election i.e. crappy labour party that has ruined the country. Try looking on www.parliament.gov.uk for more information. I wish we could sack them and give another party a chance at improving our country.

Answer 11

If only it was that simple matey, This is why we have to all vote in the next election, find a candidate that you like in one of the smaller parties, preferably not the BNP, but that's up the individual, we have to send these arrogant politicians a message that we are sick and tired of all the cr@p that is going on.