Elections and politics

In the post-Covid era, I’ve come to realise some very important things about politics, a subject that despite finding it tiresome, tedious and boring and aside from here in the U.K., the elections are also going on in my native Republic of Ireland - we learned some very important things about democracy and the democratic process since Covid, about how rotten and corrupt it is in virtually every western country - in my teens in the 80’s I was a leftist and I genuinely believed that trying to change the system from within would make a difference, as would voting, even in the corrupt Irish political system at the time - gradually over time, after 30 years in supermarket retailing and living in a socially deprived area of the U.K., it dawned on me that most politicans are only in power for personal gain and don’t really care about ordinary people, that political leaders are selected not elected, voting and elections are pointless and that we are enabling a corrupt and rotten system by voting, that democracy and the democratic process is by its very nature based on corruption and deception - a far more honest and transparent form of government would be one ruled over by an absolute ruler, dictator, martinet, autocrat who has all of the power or a Millitary government - that way, people would know where they stand, unlike the present system 

BP is a sad loss here. 

Thank you for that succinct analysis.

Very interesting.

Yes Westminster does effect us in Wales, we are given a grant by Westminster and can spend it on things that are devolved powers, such as education and health. Our rules for covid were different than thos in England, this caused a whole load of problems with people insisting that they, being English, didn't have to conform to Welsh laws, we had police on the borders turning tourists back and some were so determined to get here they sent their luggage by courier so as it wouldn't seem they were long distance travellers.

Wales dosen't have tax raising powers, obviously we can change council tax rates, but not income tax or NI or VAT, we have no control over benefit rates either. Our government chooses to do things like give us free prescriptions and help for students going to uni, but those things have to come from the money central government gives us.

One of the arguements I was hearing last week was about Scotland, they do have devolved tax raising powers, but they cannot borrow, this means that they can't invest in infrastructure projects that will get their economy moving. They're being told to raise income tax to fund these things which is totally stupid and like saying to save thier pocket money to buy a big toy.

Westminster can totally stymie what the devolved powers can do by withholding money, often "punishing" us for voting the "wrong way", it can refuse to allow things to happen as the SNP have found to thier cost.

Some people in parliament really dislike devolution and wanted to roll it back, Boris Johnson wanted all the power to reside in Westminster for example. I think the only way forward will be more devolution, more power at a local level and maybe eventually federalisation with an English parliament as well as a national one to deal with things such defence.

I don't follow it too closely, I just hope that whatever is going on is in the right direction. 

TheCatWoman said:

Is anyone else interested?

Yes.

TheCatWoman said:

I'm not party political

I am.

Here's a question.

With regard to those on the forum from Scotland, Wales (as you are), Ireland and Northern Ireland - does who is in position in Westminster  + their policies etc affect you much/at all?

I've lost track of the state of devolution with each of you ...

TheCatWoman said:

is politics a taboo subject on here?

Nope, although the thread is missing former member Baked Potato.