Is Local Democracy being Served Effectively by Politicians?

Question

Your Local MP represents an approximate average of 60,000 people in his/her constituency - is this possible? Is this a true representation for "the people" in a democracy?

Are your questions and/or problems ever solved? Is your MP willing to stand up for you in the Houses of Commons to campaign for your 'Rights'?

What will you do to our so-called democratic system in order to be truely representative of the local people?

Answer 1

Individual freedom is the dream of our age. It's what our leaders promise to give us, it defines how we think of ourselves and, repeatedly, we have gone to war to impose freedom around the world. But if you step back and look at what freedom actually means for us today, it's a strange and limited kind of freedom.

Politicians promised to liberate us from the old dead hand of bureaucracy, but they have created an evermore controlling system of social management, driven by targets and numbers. Governments committed to freedom of choice have presided over a rise in inequality and a dramatic collapse in social mobility. And abroad, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the attempt to enforce freedom has led to bloody mayhem and the rise of an authoritarian anti-democratic Islamism. This, in turn, has helped inspire terrorist attacks in Britain. In response, the Government has dismantled long-standing laws designed to protect our freedom.
The origins of our contemporary, narrow idea of freedom.
shows how a simplistic model of human beings as self-seeking, almost robotic, creatures led to today's idea of freedom. This model was derived from ideas and techniques developed by nuclear strategists during the Cold War to control the behaviour of the Soviet enemy.

Mathematicians such as John Nash developed paranoid game theories whose equations required people to be seen as selfish and isolated creatures, constantly monitoring each other suspiciously – always intent on their own advantage.

This model was then developed by genetic biologists, anthropologists, radical psychiatrists and free market economists, and has come to dominate both political thinking since the Seventies and the way people think about themselves as human beings.

However, within this simplistic idea lay the seeds of new forms of control. And what people have forgotten is that there are other ideas of freedom. We are, in a trap of our own making that controls us, deprives us of meaning and causes death and chaos abroad.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/noise/?id=trap

Answer 2

Tricky Q, this. Its clearly obvious that if we all wanted something the MP in question couldn't possibly deliver. As he couldn't do what Labour Tory or Lib Dem's wanted without upsetting someone.

I think the only thing to do, is to look at the place he/she represents, look at the industry, housing, schooling and high-streets, and then decide what changes would help many people rather than just a few. After placing monies in certain areas of need, and then monies in areas of growth, he might be able to act when someone has a serious gripe.

For instance, if a shopping centre has no access for disabled people, this would need urgent attention. After building access, the whole disabled sector of that area would probably see work being done on their behalf and not want to ask for anything. They would be satisfied someone was on their side.

Take care of groups of people, and the need for single persons to require something is greatly reduced. Lessening the chances of the MP's being contacted daily by people, probably all after roughly the same thing. Mick

Answer 3

looking at Scotland, where we have (some may say - which i do not agree with - too many MSPs and other Government figures that represent us.)
AMS which Scotland has is more reflect on he people's votes, unlike FPTP, so representation can be fulfilled more fairly.
STV - from 2007, all Scottish Local Elections will be voted in by this system, meaning again that a more fair and more "what the public" councillors will be elected.
this is all done to the Lib Dems, so do not hold your breath for the UK Parliament...

Answer 4

I'm not sure exactly what your question is, but are we not being represented, just by participation in voting?

For example, I live in a student populated area within reach of a university - we have a Lib Dem MP - that seems like representation to me on the basis that students tend to vote for the party dedicated to education (i.e. the Lib Dems!!)?

Plus I just got a questionaire from a local MP to ask my opinion. I feel pretty much covered. Its only people who dont care to share their views by voting or participating who probably aren't being represented.

Answer 5

It seems to me that on both sides of the Atlantic all local polititians are grubby con artists who self feed their own pockets and their local buddies, just look they are always involved with the local chamber of commerce or some buddy buddy organisation.
All they care about is the position of local power to be able to dish out tax cash to their mates corruption rules supreme with this lot

Answer 6

Local,,,,,? Hell no they already learned how to abuse and re-tax the common citizens after the feds already chewed em up! In some cases it goes further,,,,,,,Fed, State, County, City, Muni, and soon as they can think of another name for city they'll get that too! Not to mention all the taxes on the private trades like beauticians etc everything thing is pay pay pay and nothing for it.

Answer 7

Well it sure ain't here in Tennessee. They only help their buddies.We have been waiting for min.wage to go up since February.
It will never happen,unless we can hire a lobbyist to bribed them.
You are lucky if you make $6. a hour here.

Answer 8

BI- PARTISANSHIP There is too much fighting between the DEM'S and REPUBLICANS and nothing is accomplished except in favor of their own party.