AN EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY!

AN EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY

Recently speaking out against current Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn; the former MP, one-time Foreign Secretary and previous leadership contender David Miliband, stated that: "Given the collapse of the Lib Dems, the stakes are now very high indeed, not just for Labour but for the country. Get it wrong, and Britain could become a multi-party democracy with only one party - the Conservatives - that can win parliamentary majorities. A one governing party state." 

WHICH WOULD BE JUST LIKE OUR VERY OWN LOCAL LABOUR DOMINATED TAMESIDE COUNCIL!

What David Miliband didn't point out however, is that a proper system of Proportional Representation would easily prevent the one governing party state he so fears. It is very interesting however, to see the Alternative Vote system being used to elect the new Labour leader - even though, during the 2011 Referendum, Labour was officially against using the Alternative Vote system for electing MP's!

Meanwhile, it is reported that shadow cabinet members Chuka Umunna and Tristram Hunt are already in the process of establishing a group entitled Labour for the Common Good to provide a "space for the parliamentary party to promote moderate ideas". This is gathering support from across the centre and right of the party amongst those MPs who fear disaster at the next General Election (i.e. the loss of their own parliamentary seats) if Mr Corbyn were to be their leader.

Which means, of course, that if Mr Corbyn does win the ballot to become Labour's new leader on 12th September; there will be many within the Labour Party establishment ALREADY ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING behind the scenes to get rid of him!

And if the political establishment of just one of the political parties are prepared to work behind the scenes to get rid of a democratically elected Mr Corbyn - then how far would the political establishment of BOTH the main political parties be prepared to go if the people of this country were to democratically vote to withdraw from the European Union in that forthcoming referendum?

Carl Simmons

Denton South Independent

Saturday 22nd August 2015