This is a brilliant contribution Harry. There is so much outrage, emotion. performance and theatre from our politicians, but a complete dearth of ideas and very little thinking.
We see it from politicians within Parliament, especially at PMQ's but also the media. The media are of course partly to blame, looking for that 'gotcha' question to make a name for themselves and to further their own careers. Challenging questions only ever come from a socialist angle - why aren't you spending more?
It has been part of the gradual decline in standards over the last few decades. The attention span of the electorate is part of the problem too.
Much work will be required to fix it. Substacking is a good starting point for long form arguments, free speech and reasoned debate.....so here we are....in the right place! It's a start....
Steve, you are on target with regards to candidate selection meetings. I attended a hastily convened one a week after the last GE was called. CCHQ stitched it up with a choice of just three candidates, one was a con no hoper but had worked for years as a volunteer, next up was a MP wanting to jump seats, the third was an ex Police & Crime Commissioner.
I was desperate to ask a question after the most searching questions included, “what campaign experience do you have” & “will you live in the constituency”. However it was plain that the third candidate was the one one worth considering and asking a question was pointless, it was Hobson’s Choice.
CCHQ knew what they were doing, we were all furious, the PCC was selected by nearly 100% and he held onto the safe seat by about 500 votes.
The quality of scrutiny was appalling and disheartening.
There are some book recommendations on my website here: https://www.stevebaker.info/projects/quick-guides/bibliography/
This is a brilliant contribution Harry. There is so much outrage, emotion. performance and theatre from our politicians, but a complete dearth of ideas and very little thinking.
We see it from politicians within Parliament, especially at PMQ's but also the media. The media are of course partly to blame, looking for that 'gotcha' question to make a name for themselves and to further their own careers. Challenging questions only ever come from a socialist angle - why aren't you spending more?
It has been part of the gradual decline in standards over the last few decades. The attention span of the electorate is part of the problem too.
Much work will be required to fix it. Substacking is a good starting point for long form arguments, free speech and reasoned debate.....so here we are....in the right place! It's a start....
Steve, you are on target with regards to candidate selection meetings. I attended a hastily convened one a week after the last GE was called. CCHQ stitched it up with a choice of just three candidates, one was a con no hoper but had worked for years as a volunteer, next up was a MP wanting to jump seats, the third was an ex Police & Crime Commissioner.
I was desperate to ask a question after the most searching questions included, “what campaign experience do you have” & “will you live in the constituency”. However it was plain that the third candidate was the one one worth considering and asking a question was pointless, it was Hobson’s Choice.
CCHQ knew what they were doing, we were all furious, the PCC was selected by nearly 100% and he held onto the safe seat by about 500 votes.
The quality of scrutiny was appalling and disheartening.
I’m afraid the machine is good at getting what it wants. I’ve long supported democratic reform of the party