Labour Lib Dem coalition

MayBee70 you ask what the actual policies of the Green Party are but that question can be asked of the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems. I have the impression that it’s all under wraps/being formulated/better not say because the Tories will steal the ideas. Same usual pantomime.

MayBee70

Everyone says how great the Green Party is and I always make a point of listening to Caroline Lucas when she speaks in parliament: she’s very good. But, apart from wanting to rejoin the EU can anyone tell me what their actual policies are?

Well, they would work much more quickly to a carbon free future I would imagine. I suspect that they would like to see reform of the tax system towards greater equity.
Sustainable farming and country management?

Stuff like that

Grantanow

If things go on as they are Labour will be the largest Party but short of an absolute majority. Hence it's either coalition with some other Party or Parties or a confidence and supply arrangement. Either way involves compromises. PR might be on the cards but I think MPs might worry they would lose their seats in a revamped system.

If you were to read Ian Dunt's book you'd understand that the whole Westminster system is ineffective and frankly undemocratic. All that most MPs are are lobby fodder. They aren't given time to properly scrutinise proposed legislation but are expected to vote on it as their party demands. They often don't have a clue about the detail of what they are voting for.
They can be promoted to ministerial posts without any expertise, or even interest, in the area they have responsibility for.

On the other hand, they're expected to be all powerful glorified social workers by their constituents, or they can ignore them altogether and pursue lucrative alternative careers because of the magic letters, MP, after their name.

In the meantime, the Executive runs on unchecked to do whatever it pleases.

This is not good government, nor does it concern itself with the welfare of the country as a whole. I think that a more representative distribution of seats and the need to reach consensus is what the country needs, and the whole Westminster system needs.

Half way through😄

MaizieD very good points. Uk government is in the hands of the bureaucratic elite as you rightly say.

Any further thinking on the power of the Executive? Is this power so deeply embedded that it can continue to act against consensus politics regardless of the composition of the House of Commons?

They can be promoted to ministerial posts without any expertise, or even interest, in the area they have responsibility for.

This has become quite noticeable with the current government, perhaps more so than with any other?

Since 2019 - and now on the third PM - the reshuffles have become a veritable game of musical chairs.

They can be promoted to ministerial posts without any expertise, or even interest, in the area they have responsibility for.
I’ve suspected that for a long time, and in a range of governments. It’s like asking a PE teacher to teach maths or the other way round.

I don't need to read a book to understand the failings of our Parliamentary system. Too many MPs are election winners with few other skills, hence a need to scrape the barrel when appointing Ministers. PR might lead to a more considered legislature but that would depend on the ruling coalition and a significant improvement in the quality of MPs.

Dickens

^They can be promoted to ministerial posts without any expertise, or even interest, in the area they have responsibility for.^

This has become quite noticeable with the current government, perhaps more so than with any other?

Since 2019 - and now on the third PM - the reshuffles have become a veritable game of musical chairs.

That's why they should listen more closely to their civil servants rather than to the SPADS.

Grantanow

I don't need to read a book to understand the failings of our Parliamentary system. Too many MPs are election winners with few other skills, hence a need to scrape the barrel when appointing Ministers. PR might lead to a more considered legislature but that would depend on the ruling coalition and a significant improvement in the quality of MPs.

I honestly think you do need to read it, Grantanow. It isn't just the MPs and ministers who are dysfunctional, it's the whole system. Dunt covers not only MPs (selection, election and their marginalised role as 'legislators' (for example, the fact that they have rarely had time to read the bill that they're voting on, so they don't actually have much of a clue as to what it actually contains) but also the workings of the Executive (i.e the government, which is not the same as Parliament, the legislative body) ,Ministers, advisors, the Lords, the Civil Service and the media lobby system(which should be holding the government to account, but which, on the whole, isn't). It is extensively researched and is a real eyeopener.

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle

Labour Lib Dem’s and green would be a dream

Yes

You really think so. The only way LD will get to govern is in coalition, again. Look how successful that was last time, not. Davies thinks he can be kingmaker, so desperate for some power.

Fleurpepper

I really hope this will happen and with the Greens too.

I think there’s only ever been one Green MP so it’s not much use looking to them to form a government.

Freya5

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle

Labour Lib Dem’s and green would be a dream

Yes

You really think so. The only way LD will get to govern is in coalition, again. Look how successful that was last time, not. Davies thinks he can be kingmaker, so desperate for some power.

Yes, that is clear due to the First Past the Post system. The most damaging to the country is see-saw politics- jumping from one extreme, to the other, and back again. Disastrous, and hugely expensive.

Adding the Greeens would be really good for balance too- the only way they've had to few MPs is, again, due to the First Past the Post system- which does not lead to 'strong and stable' Government, as often said- but to extremes.

After last time I do hope the Lib Dems will steer well clear of any kindof coalition. As we know it means ditching most of your own policies and getting blamed for everything the senior partner goes wrong.

I hope they will go for a looser arrangement where the agree to support the main party on agreed key issues, but can refuse to support, even key policies if they conflict with Lib DEm policies.

ronib

MayBee70 you ask what the actual policies of the Green Party are but that question can be asked of the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems. I have the impression that it’s all under wraps/being formulated/better not say because the Tories will steal the ideas. Same usual pantomime.

I’m not talking about the upcoming election but what each party’s core values are. My concern is that people vote Green because they think it’s a safe protest vote. Eg I assume the Greens are opposed to nuclear power and a nuclear deterrent. I’m not knocking them, by the way. As ever I dropped everything to listen to Caroline Lucas at PMQT and she was as magnificent as ever. Going back to the coalition DH told me that, at the time they didn’t find themselves able to support Labour for a particular reason ( which he can’t remember) and threw in their lot with the Conservatives for the sake of stability.I’m sure they thought they could rein in the Tories and it backfired on them. I don’t think it was because they were desperate for power at any cost. I wish people would remember every single promise the Conservatives have broken over the years.

I think Nick Clegg was definitely desperate for power. The rest of the Lib Dems, not so much.

M0nica

After last time I do hope the Lib Dems will steer well clear of any kindof coalition. As we know it means ditching most of your own policies and getting blamed for everything the senior partner goes wrong.

I hope they will go for a looser arrangement where the agree to support the main party on agreed key issues, but can refuse to support, even key policies if they conflict with Lib DEm policies.

Au contraire. It is clear they should have never ever have allied with Tories, as they are so so far apart. This does not mean they shouldn't ally again, with people with whom they have so much in common.

It's like saying that because someone had a disastrous first marriage, they should never marry again.

I am not sure they have that much in common with the labour party, both of them disliking Tory policies isnt really enough

they do want a fairer society, a Health and social care system that works for all, as well as an education system, better environmental care and renewables, and to try and repair the damage done to our relationship with Europe- and so much more.

Where do you think they would strongly disagree on and could not find a good and sensible compromise?

Every political party would say they want those things tho
Fleurpepper

Galaxy

I am not sure they have that much in common with the labour party, both of them disliking Tory policies isnt really enough

This

Oreo

Every political party would say they want those things tho
Fleurpepper

Well this has clearly not been the case for the past 12 years!

This may have been true of many conservatives in the past- but certainly not now.

It's more their political approach, I am afraid I find the lib dems authoritarian in a way that labour is not. I think or hope that their approach to Europe is different, I thought the lib dems approach to the referendum result was an example of that authoritarian approach. I think some of their policies say around prostitution, drugs etc show a lack of understanding of how our position in society impacts the choices we are offered. In their favour pupil premium as an idea (not so much in implementation) was one of those ideas that ranks alongside sure start for making a difference in peoples lives.

Are u really saying that the Tories 'political approach' has not been 'authoritarian'- blimey!

Could you show me where I said that FP.