5:58pm Friday 12th February 2010
The Greek economic tragedy has shown how important it was that we kept Stirling.
The main doubt I have with the Lib Dems is that they could add our currency to what is already too much in the hands of Europe. BUT, Their manifesto is the nearest so far to my own; Single Transferable Voting being top priority.
Any other employer writes the job specification and the goals to be met, with pay often related to performance. Employees work to these standards. The job on offer when we vote in a general election is very well paid with the best retirement terms available. Even so, they moan how difficult it is. The candidates on offer by parties for our extremely limited choice have very limited, if any, management or actual working experience and would struggle in a competitive commercial job.
It's time they started dancing to our tune instead of the other way round. They always tell us "what the voter really wants" (meaning what their party thinks the voter wants.) There should be a peoples' manifesto for candidates to tick off for or against before voting takes place.
My own personal manifesto, which I will measure candidates against in May, is what I really want.
*Sort out the problems with politicians and bankers.
*A Fair vote for everyone - Single Transferable Votes at all levels.
*Fixed 4 year government.
*Constituents able to recall their MPs if they let them down.
*Big reductions on the number of MPs.
* MPs to control business of the Commons, not parties.
*An English Parliament, like Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
*A fully elected Upper House with reduced numbers, tightly controlled.
*No more eager, open ended commitments to world trouble spots. We are not the power in world affairs that we were and need to do our bit as a fair part of UN actions according to our financial ability and in line with our European Partners.
*Reformed Tax system designed to achieve big reductions and meet committed targets in the gap between rich and poor.
*Close the loopholes which exempt the richest from our tax system by living abroad.
*Abolish degrading means testing; a policy of workhouse times which ensures people who really need help refuse it, leaving it to remain in the treasury.
*More power delegated from Westminster to local authorities. Them to be required to involve their constituents in proper, effective partnership decision making.
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