Rescuing
Democracy in the United Kingdom from our current Elected Dictatorship
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You will
notice that, since New Labour came to power, not a single
leading Cabinet member or party 'heavy hitter' has appeared
on the programme (BBC's Question Time). Spin, not face-to-face
confrontations with the voters, is the Government's chosen
method of communication. Ordinary
people are dangerous. Ordinary people might ask a question
which throws a politician 'off message'; the Cabinet member
might reveal himself or herself to be a human being like
us, and not a programmed android. Worse still, he or she
might tell the truth.
Ann Leslie - Daily Mail, September
16, 2004
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These
advertisements just two of the scores published in one day in
THE TIMES, September 14, 2004
Crime
Reduction and Community Safety Group
Head
of Finance
£47,232
- £64,041 + £2,600
Location Allowance London
Home
Office -Building a safe, just and tolerant society
The
Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group has to meet
three of the Home Office's Public Sector Agreement targets
covering crime reduction, police performance and drugs.
What's more, the group also leads on counter-terrorism,
organised crime and international work. In total, the
group numbers around 1100 people. And at its heart, you'll
find the Finance Team deciding exactly how best the annual
budget of more than £6billion should be spent.
The
vital work the group does is, of course, only one side
of the story. The other is characterised by drives for
increased efficiency, streamlining operations and pressures
on budgets, so it's essential that you deliver effectively.
You'll make everyone aware of exactly where the budget
stands, from forecasts and notice of underspends to potential
pressure points, in addition to the more usual financial
information.
Key
to all of this will be the development of close working
relationships with the Group's leader (Permanent Secretary
level) and its Directors, plus the Home Office's Director
of Finance and other finance teams. That means you'll
need to combine well-developed interpersonal skills and
adaptability with your technical expertise. A qualified
management accountant, you'll have a history of delivering
financial requirements via a team, and you'll ideally
have gained exposure to government accounting systems
and procedures.
We're
looking for someone who can deliver reslts, financial
and otherwise. If that's you, you can look forward to
a package that reflects your abilities.
For
a Candidate Pack, please contact Barkers Candidate Management
Services, quoting reference 7654a. The closing date for
completed applications: 13th October 2004.
The
Home Office is committed to a policy of eual opportunity
for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of
gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation,
faith or any other factor irrelevant to a person's work.
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The
Pensions Regulator
Chair
Brighton
- salary c.£100,000
Department for Work and Pensions
The
Pensions Regulator (TPR) will be a Non-Departmental Public
Body established by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Building on the foundations laid down by the current regulator,
the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA)
and subject to Royal Assent the Pensions Bill will give
TPR statutory objectives and functions to target areas
where there is the greatest risk to pension scheme members'
benefits and encourage best practice through education
and guidance. It will be run by an independent Board,
initially qppointed by the Secretary of State, with a
Chair, Chief Executive and directors with a wide range
of skills and knowledge. This first pivotal role will
provide a unique and challenging opportunity to develop
and lead the setting up of TPR and shape the strategic
approach of this new high profile public organisation.
With
at least five years experience of relevant Board level
decision making - preferably as Chair, you will have a
successful track record and experience in:
*
Dealing with complexity and conflicting priorities at
a senior level, setting strategic direction and monitoring
performance
*
Leadership and inspiration during start-up and change,
with an ability to reflect the values and competencies
of the Pensions Regulator.
*
Being a first class communicator and ambassador, building
constructive and effective relationships with partners,
stakeholders and staff.
It
would also be helpful to have:
*
Experience of operating in a regulatory environment.
*
A knowledge of work-based pensions.
*
An understanding of the wider environment in which government
operates, and
*
An ability to work effectively under pressure.
The
post will be offered as fixed term appointment of 3 years
duration with the possibility of renewal.
Closing
Date 1st October 2004.
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For
the health of our democracy, we, the people of the United Kingdom,
must find a way to force Mr Blair to resign
Such
defiance of the democratic process and the will of the majority
of we people of the UK, must be exposed by voters as a matter
or urgency, and not just in the two by-elections we have had this
July and the European elections in June 2004. But how can this
be done?
The
most effective way of getting our deceitful PM to resign would
be to mobilise the army of Labour MPs currently in the House of
Commons and get them to demand it, the loss of their seat to be
a penalty if they did not. All voters in Labour-held constituencies
need to write a letter along these lines to their local Labour
MPs:
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Dear
Despite
his absolute and unequivocal assurances over the past year
of the serious risk to our security of Saddam Hussein's
'weapons of mass destruction', Prime Minister Blair
has admitted, that the threat was non-existent. For that
critical error of judgement and for his gross incompetence
in handling this very important issue, I ask you to take
immediate steps to ensure that Tony Blair does the honourable
thing and resign without delay..
I
would therefore be much obliged if you would propose and
help mobilise a Parliamentary vote of 'No Confidence' in
Mr Blair which, despite Labour's huge majority, would leave
the PM with no option but to resign.
If
I get no reply to this letter, I shall assume you will continue
to support Mr Blair as our Prime Minister. In such circumstances
I shall not vote for you in the forthcoming General Election.
Signed:
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Simple,
non-violent, protest letters along these lines on a variety of
issues could be the basis for re-vitalising our democracy and
increasing voters' interest and participation in politics. Download
a printable copy of the above letter here.
There
is another way for the voice of the silent majority to be heard,
a voice that made sure broken promises would not only be revealed,
but punished in subsequent elections.
In
the year available before the General Election expected in 2005,
many topics are available as ammunition, each one asking questions.
A weapon for our purpose will be the results of Opinion Polls
in individual constituencies using ICM, NOP, Gallop, Mori
or YouGov.
Questions
suggested for this purpose are listed here.
CAST
YOUR VOTE ON A VARIETY OF OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES HERE.
Current
and prospective Parliamentary candidates of all Parties running
for election could share a platform at public forums in every
constituency. They would be presented with the results of
polls on this issue expressed by the majority of voters in that
constituency.
The candidates could be asked if their own views and that of their
Party manifesto corresponded with the polls, and if not, how they
intended to represent the will of the majority of local voters.
Local and National Press, Radio and TV coverage would be arranged
and the results published on this web site.
Here
is another powerful strategy for using your vote effectively in
the forthcoming General Election. Send your sitting and prospective
MPs a letter defining your requirements if they want your vote.
This example deals with the proposed
EU Constitutional Treaty.
Your
letters would end: "If you do not answer
this letter, I shall take it that you intend to follow the Government
line. I shall act accordingly in the forthcoming General Election.
Or
why not create a questionnaire that you send to all the candidates
in your constituency, getting them to give yes/no answers to questions
of your choice, and ending it with the same paragraph(above).
Download
a printable example of the questionnaire.
It
is high time for the people of this United Kingdom to stop allowing
themselves to be manipulated by politicians. We need our representatives
in Parliament to genuinely reflect the view of the majority in
their own constituency, even if this means going against their
personal and/or their party's policy. While they may argue their
case, hoping to change the minds of the majority in their constituency,
they should ultimately be obliged to reflect the majority view
of those who elect them.
It
will be argued by politicians of all parties that most voters
don't have the knowledge necessary to express an opinion on important
subjects at issue, and that our vote is a form of delegated democracy.
We should argue that it is their duty to ensure that we voters
do have ready access to such information as is necessary to form
an intelligent opinion. That, after all, is one main purpose of
Opposition Parties in our Parliamentary Democracy.
Most
important of all, such proceedings would rekindle in voters their
latent interest and obligation to cast their vote, knowing that
the candidate of their choice would be more likely to act in accordance
with their wishes. A much higher turnout in elections would be
the result.
Contact
your local Party Chairman. Gain his support for setting up public
forums in your constituency on these, as well as any other relevant
topics, well before the next General Election expected in 2005.
You should then, depending on the integrity of the candidate of
your choice, feel fairly certain that your view on any subject
being debated in Parliament will more accurately be reflected
by your representative in that assembly.
