 |
|
It's just not cricket.. thoughts on Britain's constitutional future..
In the New Year, I was invited to give evidence to the Liberal Democrats Policy Working Group on Political and Constitutional Reform, chaired by the impressive Dinti Batstone.
Later on, in the pub, I started describing (in frustration) how the British political system works, in effect, like a 19th century cricket match....
Later on, in the pub, I started describing (in frustration) how the British political system works, in effect, like a 19th century cricket match....
|
The places are set, you are either at the crease or trying to get the other lot out. The crowd clap politely, but are passive observers. The whole thing is meticulously adjudicated, and at 4pm everything stops for tea. Oh, and if you don't understand it, that's your fault for being a lout, not the game's fault for being incomprehensible. (And it's no coincidence that the only ex-colony that doesn't have a version of our nice parliamentary system ... doesn't play cricket).
|
And when the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives formed a coalition government, in these terms I think all it meant to some people was that the batsman at the non-batting end would be 'a Lib'. What has actually happened is the game has been disrupted - someone has walked onto the pitch, picked up the wicket, and offered to put it back on the stumps, to the look of bewilderment and outrage of the crowd.
|
I have written a short pamphlet, setting out some of the theoretical considerations and the challenges our political system is facing. My basic line of argument is: elected politicians are good at leadership and strategic direction. They are also accountable in a very specific way. But we should find other democratically legitimate ways to scrutinise and develop public policy by greater participation of the collective.
If we ever needed rain to stop play, we need it now. And, instead of returning to the old rules, we should allow a new set to evolve. Change from outside is already adding pressure to the highly select group who currently make decisions on our behalf. The model is changing. |
|