UK ‘dangerously close to elected dictatorship’ under Boris Johnson, Ken Clarke warns

lemongrove

If Starmer wins a ‘dictator like majority’ Maybee will that be acceptable I wonder?

Labour doesn't work that way LG. I'm no Starmer fan, but he's an egalitarian. Can't see anyone ever saying that about Johnson. He's an elitist through and through, despite not having earned an iota of it.

Whether or not we believe the UK is dangerously close to an elective dictatorship, it is 50 years since Lord Hailsham highlighted how our system could allow this.

After half a century surely no harm could come from seriously considering this matter again, evaluating risk and strengthening preventative measures if necessary.

I found this article very relevant to the conversation we are having here blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2019/09/30/we-are-closer-than-ever-to-hailshams-elective-dictatorship/

Well said GG13 ???

GrannyGravy13

Not just Mr.Clarke, Mr.Cummings was flavour of the week a while back, in fact any one who writes/tweets/podcasts/interviews anything against the PM and current Government is immediately lauded by any GN member who didn’t vote for the party in power.

I am probably wrong, but I don't remember any of the left-wingers on here liking Cummings any better for being a turn coat. He's repulsive whether he's pro Johnson or not.

lemongrove

If Starmer wins a ‘dictator like majority’ Maybee will that be acceptable I wonder?

No. The problem for the past few years is that we’ve had a very weak opposition. It’s dangerous for any country to be in that sort of position as the party in power always needs to be held to account. By the way, you haven’t responded to what I said about Johnson, yet again, trying to ignore/overrule the law of the land so I assume you agree with what he did last week regarding Paterson….

Gagajo there was at least one thread lauding Mr.Cummings for turning on Mr.Johnson.

I don’t agree at all ( regarding Johnson and Paterson) there is an argument for an appeals process, but now isn’t the time for it.
Paterson has to take his medicine.
Now....in a real dictatorship ( elected or otherwise) Johnson would have got his way.

MayBee70 whoever the governing party is a strong opposition is necessary to hold them to account.

lemongrove

I don’t agree at all ( regarding Johnson and Paterson) there is an argument for an appeals process, but now isn’t the time for it.
Paterson has to take his medicine.
Now....in a real dictatorship ( elected or otherwise) Johnson would have got his way.

I agree regarding a legitimate appeals process.

lemongrove

I don’t agree at all ( regarding Johnson and Paterson) there is an argument for an appeals process, but now isn’t the time for it.
Paterson has to take his medicine.
Now....in a real dictatorship ( elected or otherwise) Johnson would have got his way.

There is an appeals process. Even Johnson admitted he was wrong to say there wasn't. This was when he was questioned at the Liaison Committee meeting yesterday.

At present there is no appeals process.

What there is, is a very complicated set of rules if an MP wants to challenge, not a straightforward appeals process.

lemongrove

At present there is no appeals process.

Whose authority are you quoting here, lemon. Or is this your opinion?

GrannyGravy13

Gagajo there was at least one thread lauding Mr.Cummings for turning on Mr.Johnson.

I must have missed that one. Do you have a link to it?

lemongrove

What there is, is a very complicated set of rules if an MP wants to challenge, not a straightforward appeals process.

And Paterson used this very complicated set of rules, with a lawyer at his side, every step of the way.

Who is the authority you are quoting?

Of course it isn’t my opinion
It’s on various sites and makes interesting reading.
Here is just one site: ukandeu.ac.uk
UK In A Changing Europe.

There’s also a good clear explanation about it in a piece from the ‘i’.

Lemongrove ''Does anyone remember a few years ago a couple of posters constantly demanded homework ( a thesis!) from others to explain their opinions/ points of view?Well....let’s not go back down that rabbit hole.''

we are still very much waiting for the list of advantages and positive points about Brexit- no need for an essay at all. Just a list will do.

Best of luck with that Kali the best replies I’ve had when I’ve asked Brexit voters are -

No immigrants
Dislike foreigners
We can manage on our own
We don't need the French

Hardly rational reasons by intelligent people

Oh dear Katie ....Perhaps think of changing your social circle
In that case.I guess you can’t change your family’s outlook but can change your friends minds.

Luckily all the people I know have a more reasoned outlook on life.
Now...and this is kindly meant, time to move on from bitter
Judgements about the referendum and who voted for what and why (which was years ago) and concentrate on the future.The pandemic has caused far more harm than any perceived downturn from leaving the EU.

I mean this kindly, but you're talking rubbish.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59070020

lemongrove

Oh dear Katie ....Perhaps think of changing your social circle
In that case.I guess you can’t change your family’s outlook but can change your friends minds.

Luckily all the people I know have a more reasoned outlook on life.
Now...and this is kindly meant, time to move on from bitter
Judgements about the referendum and who voted for what and why (which was years ago) and concentrate on the future.The pandemic has caused far more harm than any perceived downturn from leaving the EU.

Sorry?

Judgements about who voted for what?

He’s a bitter Remainer and has always been full of himself in any case.

I wonder who said that?

lemongrove

Oh dear Katie ....Perhaps think of changing your social circle
In that case.I guess you can’t change your family’s outlook but can change your friends minds.

Luckily all the people I know have a more reasoned outlook on life.
Now...and this is kindly meant, time to move on from bitter
Judgements about the referendum and who voted for what and why (which was years ago) and concentrate on the future.The pandemic has caused far more harm than any perceived downturn from leaving the EU.

It is so good to hear. So we are all expecting YOUR reasoned list very very soon.

Very interesting thread but I’d better not comment as I’m one of those ‘stupid’ and ‘ignorant’ voters though perhaps my professional status saves me from the ‘working class’ slur fwiw. Yes Maizie, I studied British Constitution in some depth too as part of my Law Society exams. So perhaps not entirely ignorant.

Stop this nonsense. Political intelligence has nothing to do with exams and qualifications - but as said above in German 'Vernunft' - rational common sense.

Anyone who fell for Johnson's persona and Brexit as it was sold then, can be taken seriously even if we disagree. Anyone who still supports him NOW, and his refusal to accept the Deal he and Frost (who elected him by the way!!!) negotiated, called 'oven ready' and signed- and still maintains Brexit has or will soon or ever have, huge advantages- is just not credible NOW.

Simple.

''*we are still very much waiting for the list of advantages and positive points about Brexit- no need for an essay at all. Just a list will do.*''