Moat-cleaning services, tennis court repairs, the ‘flipping’ of second homes to make a profit, the claiming of mortgages that don’t exist, two BNP MEPs … all are examples which represent the negative issues within our political system that have come to a head very, very quickly over the last month. This problem however is simply the result of an underlying fault in British politics – the lack of ambition, empathy and passion for everything this country represents.
The leader of this society should be able to walk into packed football stadiums, from Stamford Bridge to Huish Park, and have everyone applaud and cheer no matter what their political affiliation, ideology or up-bringing. Of course, we are worlds away from that becoming a reality because for so long, politics in this country has been divisive, isolated and out of touch with the voters. There’s no inspiration. For those reasons, massive changes to our democratic system have to happen, not just for the sake of pressure from the media or the worry of losing votes and power, but to genuinely expand outreach to engage and energise the wider population to become more involved in the political process.
I’m personally against an immediate general election, and I believe it’s dangerous for the Conservatives and the Lib Dems to be stropping around Westminster demanding one. Voters are still extremely angry about all the revelations, and as somebody who has had a great deal of canvassing experience, I can assure you many people are either very enthusiastic about voting for certain minority parties simply to spite Parliament, or they are not going to vote at all, decreasing turnout. The consequence for the country at this point would be that the new government would not have a strong mandate to drive the reforms and fundamental change that is so desperately needed.
What should happen immediately is the election of a new Speaker, who is not in the pocket of the Government, who will invite all parties within Parliament to equally contribute to agenda and debate for all issues facing the country, including political reform. Once that kind of independent mechanism is in place, it will be much easier for voters to identify that the Liberal Democrats are most enthusiastic about pushing genuine fundamental changes. I believe the best chance there is for this to happen, is if Parliament elects Parmjit Dhanda MP the next Speaker of the House.
It’s depressing for our history as a nation that on the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings, there are Nazis representing the British people in the European Parliament. It is important, now more than ever, for Parliament to send a strong message that the diversity of our culture is the backbone of our society. Not only do Mr Dhanda’s views on reform make him well positioned to hold the prestigious post, but the election of a part-Indian Speaker of the House would send perhaps the most symbolic message possible to the people, that Parliament can represent modern Britain.
As Nick Thornsby pointed out in his LDV opinion piece GriffinWatch: Exposing the BNP, we won’t defeat them by disrupting their press conferences and throwing eggs at them. They were elected through the democratic process and that is how we have to defeat them. On this particular issue, I believe the most effective strategy for doing this would be the formation of bipartisan grass-root campaigning groups in every constituency/ward throughout the UK. These groups would involve activists from the Lib Dems, Conservatives and Labour coming together to coordinate a strong message, and then going out onto the streets and doorsteps to hold the BNP to account.
This unified front is the only way for us to stop the progression of fascist politicians in Britain, and to protect a plural society and the legacy left behind by the many soldiers who fought in the Second World War.
* Kasch Wilder is Liberal Democrat activist in West Dorset, and sixth form student.
