Anyone for politics? Sir Keir has the forms...

I have often wondered what makes people become a politician. Is it a wish to make our society better? Sure, it is what they profess to want. Is it because they have a hunger for power? They all would deny that. Is it because they want an easy life? Again, they vehemently would deny that. Now I am certain that initially would-be politicians are straightforward, honest and well-meaning persons. So, we may well ask – what happens after they have been elected? From where I am sitting it seems they lose their mettle pretty quickly. They get embroiled in party politics and so signs a death sentence to any ideas of improving society. Most MPs, I am sorry to say, their impact on the Westminster scene has been virtually nil. Unless they are sitting at the top-table (The Cabinet and related serving staff) we might as well just forget all about MPs and just save the money. The problem is as I said, party politics. The party has a strict set of whatever they think is important. All is MPs must follow the line as set whether they have better ideas or wish to disagree about the line.

The party heavies, the Whips (A Whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. This means ensuring that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their donors or constituents. Whips are the party's "enforcers". Wikipedia), these individuals run a very taut line. Because how do you ‘pressurize’ well-meaning people in politics? Well, good question. It seems that in many cases a promise of advancement (meaning a lot more money) will do the trick or a promise of government looking at their idea or project. In other words it could be argued that it is close to corruption. The system of lobbying is another. Lobbyists also, although not in government, tend to ‘promise’ certain benefits. I am not in any way suggesting here that it is a case of ‘Loads-of-money-guvnor’ but still... the system has been shown in the past to be susceptible to nefarious practices. Again, it must be said, most lobbyists are 100% straight forward and work for the common good. We ought to ask, ought to demand, a sharp look at whether this system works in the 21st century. It is not good to be dewy-eyed about ‘democracy’ when it is clear that it messes up decision making and open to side-issues. In this day of the Internet there are simply too many organisations of almost any persuasion we can think of, able to heavily promote their views. 

What we see is governments ‘acting’ on said pressures in the belief it is what the population wants. Whilst in fact it is a belief held by a small but vociferous minority. Just look at the issues pertaining to the LBGT+ community, you could hardly argue that this is the majority view the general population hold dear. The general population just sighs and hold their heads. Or the very loud minority who protest about slavery and want ‘reparations’. Or even the younger people glueing themselves to roads believing it will stop global warming. At the same time leaving tons of rubbish in their wake. So, anyone for becoming a politician? No need for degrees, just say what you believe and be rest assured no-one will listen. Just have another glass of cheap champagne!