It is a truism that strong leaders start wars. A problem with governments with massive majorities is that they tend to ride roughshod over public opinion and frequently ignore the wishes of parliament by playing one MP off against another often with patronage or with threats.
It is an irony that the effectiveness of the left wing in Parliament has been neutralised by there being too many Labour MPs. Had Labour had a thin majority we may not have gone to war with Iraq and other policy decisions might have been different. The Prime Minister might have been keener to consult with his colleagues, not least his cabinet colleagues before deciding on policy.
As the campaign worker for the 1997 tactical voting campaign Get Rid of Them I feel particularly disappointed and feel some sense of responsibility to redress the balance. Hence I am launching a campaign to help create a more balanced Parliament where the executive does not have too much power.
I have searched through MPs voting records such as on Iraq and other social issues. Where Labour MPs have voted according to the mandate they were sent to Westminster on I advocate People of all persuasions and parties tactically voting them back. I have also included Labour MPs with thumping majorities that are unlikely to be overturned even with tactical voting.
That leaves the remainder who do not fulfil these criteria. It is again paradoxical that if they are replaced by a conservative MP and the conservative party grows in numbers they will still be unable to form the government but it will mean that the influence of the remaining Labour MPs will be greatly enhanced and the left of their party working with the Libdems, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru will be able to exercise greater influence and promote more forward thinking and progressive policies than we have had in the last two parliaments.
We have also taken into consideration local polls and the expectation that the LibDems will perform well at the election to adjust these target seats and which party we suggest voters tactically support.
A slimmed down Labour government can still run the country effectively but will listen more to MPs in parliament. Particularly those on the left of centre and not least it will listen to the views of the people of this country far more than it has done to date. It will do so, because it will have to for its own survival and to pass its programme of legislation.
We would like to see, and the campaign is intended to return the following number of MPs to Westminster
We have stayed outside of Irish politics and in a few seats notably those of the party leaders we have put tbd-To be decided as such seats could still draw a main challenger to the incumbent. Time will tell.
The government would have an overall majority of 9 over the combined mainland opposition but will have to take into consideration far more the left of centre and the people of this country when formulating policy.
There are 4 Tbd's-To be Decideds including one Independent.
The campaign may provide food for thought for anyone who is completely stuck as to who support in that if people did vote as suggested above it might produce a more balanced Parliament more closely representative of our diverse culture and society, in which MPs had more say and could better represent the interests of their constituencies and the Executive or Government was less powerful.
Power might return to some extent back to where it belongs, in the hands of ordinary people. And then what might we see? Just a thought.
Produced by Bob Goodall, email bobgoodall@hotmail.com Tel / Fax: 01727 847370
Page last updated 16th April 2005 Webmestre