I think in terms of politics you are right Cologne... & it is sad.   I honestly think the only way our politics will change will be to change the structure... not just because the structure isn't fit for purpose anymore.... but because that kind of big change will shake things up enough for there to be a possibility to break away from the division of party politics.

Party politics doesn't help me....  there are things I agree with & disagree with in all three parties .....  

I'd love us to go for the House of Representatives type set up...   something I can't see happening...  if it did it would probably be my kids generation or their kids that would make it happen.

Gross!

We got to watch the teacher dissect a bulls eye (which I remember as just being an oozy black mess)....  & then we got the option to opt out of the frog dissection....  

I opted out!

We kind of have the same set up as America because the upper house can put the kybosh on anything Obama wants to get through, which is the same here. That is one of the reasons I would like to see our Upper House to be representative of the people and the law of the land, which means they have to be elected rather than for most of them the whole thing being a 'natural' progress from one house to the next.

By the upper house you mean the House of Lords?  (if thats a really blonde question, forgive me    ... my grasp of politics is pretty much in its infancy... )

if so... yes, I agree.  I think most people do, they are not as high profile as the Commons though.... so peoples attention gets diverted.   

There has been some reform though hasn't there....  hereditary peers no longer vote on laws anymore... oh.. or can they? ... what do hereditary peers do now?

There has been some reform, but not the full blown 'chuck out the timewaster and get in people who really deserve to be there. How that's going to work is a bit of a mistery to me, but I'd love to see ordinary people from the main troubled areas in this country who have a finger on the pulse. Is it ever going to happen? I don't think so.

even if the sentiment were there to do just that....   it wouldn't.   Like Non Execs on NHS Trust Boards....  my Dad applied three times to our local Trust, but they got in private consultants to fill the posts....   filled with an ex Price Waterhouse accountant, someone that had been a non exec on a different trust & someone else who had sat on lots of quangos in the past!

The so called "Upper House" (Lords etc) needs to be abolished..it's an affront to true democracy.  I can't see how anyone can justify an unlected body etc...pah!"

That says it all really, doesn't it ditty. Katty, yes, it needs to be replaced, but who's actually going to to it?

Like Lord 'Foot in Mouth' Treisman. He used to a Communist until the lure of the gravy train became so great  Get rid of the lot of them before Blair (or Cherie) gets a Peerage by Patronage.

Someone needs to start the "In Your Dreams" Party....   its manifesto being all this stuff!

*nudges Suzy & Cologne*

I'll vote for you!

One thing that puzzles me Cologne.  I know you take an interest in politics but do I remember reading that you cannot vote?  Doesn't that frustrate you?

I'll vote for you! ....ref : ditty

Thanks, but I don't think I'd get very far...I'd be sitting on the backbenches chewing on my sleeve being constantly brought in to line by one whip or another

well.... in that case...  I'll back you up (in a "bring it on" kinda way)

Thanks

If either has to win, I'd prefer Ed. But both of them are too Blairite (obsessed with cosying up to business and wealthier people, neglecting core Labour voters) for my liking.
Ed Balls was Brown's bulldog - another one who will fail by not listening to the public. His wife Yvette Cooper would be a much more interesting candidate.
At least John Cruddas represents 'real' Labour, a concept most of this lot seem to have completely forgotten about.

I agree Deman  Iwould like Jon Cruddas He's his own man and YES real Labour