Open Up

"It is not just Westminster that is broken. The Civil Service, Local Councils and perhaps even the very IDEA of government; it is all broken. First past the post is undemocratic, as is the PR list system. The only way forward is multi member constituencies, to maximise the number of people who are able to vote for a successful candidate, and minimise the need to vote tactically. Why should I have to vote to determine who can stand, then vote again for who I want elected? "

"A different future for politics Edward and Tony Devoy 2010 June Election Barnsley Borough Toward a better future Changing politics for the better for we the people: Because of the way politicians, since what appears to be time immemorial have ignored the electorate and have worked only for their own enrichment, culminating in the expenses scandal, we have decided to put ourselves forward to represent and act on behalf of we the people. In order to show to those who do not normally vote as well as to those who do, that we are not typical politicians: On being elected, we will start our own charity to assist individuals and smaller community groups who are presently ignored by the local authority. Throughout our term in Parliament we will contribute half of our individual income into the charity. Effectively we will work for half the money that our current MP's believe is not enough for them to manage on. We will not do what political Parties now do in their election manifesto's, promise the world and deliver nothing. We will bring politics to the individual and everyone will be able to change the way things are done in the Barnsley Borough and Nationally and ensure the wishes of we the people are paramount. We will have an official presence on the web, where people can put forward their ideas that will enhance the lives of all in the Barnsley Borough for the benefit of we the people. The people of Barnsley will be able to vote on the ideas put forward and we as the representatives of the people will act on the will of we the people, bringing Democracy where once it did not exist. For instance, on a local level, if someone was to suggest that Council tax should be halved to bring it to a reasonable level, we the people would vote and if the vote was unanimous, As representatives of we the people we would canvass the local authority to act on the will of the people and would name and shame any elected councillor or civil servant acting against the will of we the people. The people working in opposition to we the people would by consensus of the people be removed from their positions. After all he who pays the piper should call the tune. Unlike at present where the Council dictate often in an oppressive manner to we the people. We will put the power where it should be, in the hands of we the people. On a National level, if someone was to put forward abolition of the TV licence fee. If the vote was unanimous. We would canvas Parliament to carry out the wishes of we the people, if Parliament was to refuse, we would then start a nationwide campaign if enough votes were cast and Parliament made the decision not to act, we would then call for civil disobedience on the basis that the Government of the day was acting against the will of we the people. In a true Democracy Government is by the people for the people. At all times people would be able to vote against changes of these sorts and would be able to put forward their own ideas, we the people would have what we have never had in this Country, Democracy. This would I am sure cause many problems in the political arena, but nothing that could not be sorted. It would empower we the people. Those who now feel disaffected and those who suffer from political apathy would now have a voice, they would not feel their vote was a wasted vote. It would breathe new life into the political strata of life and politics would no longer be the preserve of the elite for their own benefit to the detriment of we the people. It is time to take away the power of politics from the politicians and give it to the people to whom it belongs."

"This should be for local govt elections too. All much more fun at the hustings!"

"We are supposed to live in a democray. This type of Government is not democratic. Just corrupt like most "Banana Republics" or should it be "Banana Monarchy"? In other countries they used to call them Politburo's. Not one of them are "fit for purpose""

"Change the voting system, let voters decide. Some form of PR is better than what we have.Get rid of "Safe Seats". Political parties love the "Status Quo". Too many polititians love what they have and the ones recently found out and are leaving politics are doing so due to their gravy train hitting the buffers. Halve the number of MPs, but have elected constituancy representatives, paid for by us, working full time in the constituancy and reporting findings and complaints to the MPs. There would then be no reason for two houses. Where necessary, as in other countries, provide very good accommadation, if necessary wherever the parliament is? Every report and pictures we see of other countrys' parliaments show modern debating chambers. About time we changed!!! When it comes to politics, the country does have a north south divide and will continue until the voting system changes. A Tory in Salford or a Labour voter in Worthing may as well not vote as their vote will be useless!! We must, but only when the whole situation is cleared up, increase the salaries of MPs to say £100k and reduce the salaries of high ranking civil servants who appear to be "fireproof"."

"So far, I can see value in the proposed system, yet would raise an issue regarding the personalitiy cult which appears to infest the current choice determination. Would the proposal determine the content of a candidate's submission regarding political leaning,depth of local interest and guarentee of representation, etc; and would a legal requirement of excercising one's franchise be introduced, to ensure maximum participation?"

"I think that almost all politicians are venal,mendacious,corrupt et al.If David Cameron does not agree to a referendum on the EU constitution/Lisbon Treaty then he can say goodbye to my vote."

"This is a great idea, which needs to be enacted as soon as possible. "Open Up" perfectly describes how we can make our system in the UK better for everybody. I hope that you will feel able to extend the campaign in due course to other simple, harmless, ground breaking ideas which lead to people being better informed. "

"A letter I wrote to David Cameron in May this year highlights what I felt he needed to do. That is change the way we choose our representatives. Following this the Conservatives operated what we the electorate want to happen that is the Totnes effect. 28th May 2009 Ref: You still don’t get it! Dear Mr. Cameron Your speech in Milton Keynes was remarkable for it’s common sense. But none of this will happen. It’s just political jousting. What we want as an electorate is a government that is for the people and not for it's own good. You along with every other MP in parliament are just as guilty of misuse of taxpayer’s money even if you never claimed for a single penny. Just going along with the rest is complicit to the crime against the people. I wrote the same letter to each of your colleagues who were routed in the national press recently. Only two have bothered to respond. One is Oliver Letwin who has continued to respond to my correspondence the other is Alan Duncan. In some small way Mr. Letwin has recovered the moral ground lost by all the actions of MP’s recently with the expenses scandal. However I, as a Conservative voter for the past 30 years still feel there is no choice in the up and coming elections. For what ever your views on Europe and the referendum it won’t happen Andrew Marr was right when he told you any referendum after the treaty is ratified is pointless. Simple facts. Your speech was as good as your others, but the devil is in the detail. It’s for political ends and to grab the initiative of the day. That used to work in the good old Tony days of spin and Alistair Campbell. We don’t believe it anymore. If you were able to force Brown to an election, which you know, and I know won’t happen why should we vote for your party. As previously stated you’re all as bad as each other. What the man and woman in the street wants is action, not promises. Great men and woman of history made decisions and followed them through even if they were unpopular. We don’t need popular politicians we’ve had them. What we want is a politician who says I ‘m going to do this and I am going to do this today, not tomorrow not next year not when you elect me as your leader but right now. I am going to show you I am a man of action and not words. What could that one action be that would galvanize the country? I bet one of your advisors knows what that could be. Do you? "

"What a wonderful idea Open Up is, the transparency that is being demanded of our MPs should also be extended to our local authorities. The days of political parties choosing who are to be council cabinet members, leaders and mayors of our towns and cities should be confined non democratic countries. I was beginning to believe that true democracy in the UK was already dead, however with the advent of Open Up it gives me renewed hope for open and democratic government both nationally and locally. "