We need an early election

I'm starting to think we need an early election.  No.  I don't mean that in a "let's-challenge-Gordon-and-see-if-he's-got-the-bottle-ho-ho-ho" way.

I really mean it.  In the sense that our Westminster system isn't working.  In the sense that we need a fresh Parliament, with a new Speaker, and a mandate for far-reaching change.  And we need a legislature that works, that isn't in the pocket of government - Labour or Conservative - and which does its job efffectively once again.  And which answers to local voters, not party hierarchy.

How could a new Parliament restore dignity to our legislature and meaning to our democracy?  Here's 30 ways to fix things.  Here's a manifesto that would be popular, and bring us change.  And, as I keep saying, it can all be done by an incoming government in 100 days.

Posted on 10 May 2009 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

Thing is the Plan isnt the Conservative Manifesto and until it isnt, I shall be a Libertarian Party UK candidate against the main three parties

Posted on 10 May 2009 14:57 by Rohen Kapur

How much would you like to bet that it won't be done in 100 days, or even 100 months, by the next Tory government?

Posted on 10 May 2009 15:12 by Michael Heaver

It is certainly something I would vote for.

What support have you received from the Conservative Party leadership on implementing the programme described in the Plan?

Posted on 10 May 2009 15:41 by PR

You are right about the need for a general election. This staggers me how out of touch our polticians are. Despite years of falling turnout at the polls, even bigger drop outs in the numbers of individual members belonging to parties and poll after poll after poll telling you what we do or don't want. There is STILL no political party willing to represent a large part of the population of England.

The easiest way to limited the unmitigated, untold damage to both our main parties but more so Labour would be to draw a line under it now and call an election. What in all that's Holy are they waiting for? Another 9/11 or Terrorist outrage so they can declare a national emergency?


When do I get to vote for The Plan Douglas give me and millions of other like minded people in England the chance and we will.

A New Model Party please

Posted on 10 May 2009 15:45 by Paul

Will Cameron really take this on by voting against part-privatisation of Royal Mail? Are the shadow cabinet, & GO in particular, truly ready for a GE given the state of the country's economy? I'll make up my own mind when I hold the Conservative Party's election manifesto in my hand. And, btw, will a Conservative Manifesto be as binding as Labour's?

I'd be grateful if you can blog the main points of The Plan in without me having to shell out £9.50.

I hope your Sweet Peas are coming along nicely - don't forget they love copious amounts of water.

Posted on 10 May 2009 15:51 by GV

I'd agree with having an early election but who's going to stand? Brown, Cameron and Clegg are all clearly as bad as the fiddling MP's because they've known about it and done nothing. There is virtually no one left with any credibility. I saw a list of 25 people who voted against the bid to keep expenses secret. Says it all really, 25 out of 646.

Posted on 10 May 2009 16:05 by Simon

Sorry Douglas, if only The Plan (splendid as it is) were official Conservative policy. I just don't think the political class apparatchik Cameron and his cronies has the political will or the interest - and the party is totally conflicted on the EU - until then tis UKIP pour moi!The only party that has my interest at heart.

Posted on 10 May 2009 16:08 by Apostate Guardianista

I agree with AG above: the verdict is still out. Why? Tell Cameron & Co to pull their their collective finger out.

Posted on 10 May 2009 16:43 by GV

Truth is Doug your a great bloke and if you were leader I'd rejoin the conservatives and fight for you. Even though I disagree with substantial aspects of The Plan. I think your an honest guy and your heart and head are in the right place. We could come to terms with our differences. Big tent.

But Cameron is deeply anti-free market, green with pink or maybe even red tinges and very pro eu to boot. The reality is DC and his liggers are all fully paid up members of the nomenklatura. I've read his speeches - all of them and studied him quite closely.

Your not going to like life in power under DC. I kinda see you as Frank Field - a decent guy with a real clue getting shafted.

Posted on 10 May 2009 16:59 by DavidNcl

Would you support the idea of US-style recall elections?

Posted on 10 May 2009 17:16 by Mike Rouse

Mr. C,

Without making a political point, although it may well appear I am so doing, if any political party really, really believed in democracy then they would make The Plan party policy.

Neither Cameron, Brown or Clegg will do this as they are too in love with the EU. In fact, at a local meeting on Friday last James Ellis Conservative MEP stated that your party will be campaigning during the EU elections to remain a member!

I hate to raise this point but the only party that has the faintest idea of how democracy should operate in this country is UKIP - sorry if that hurts, however it is the truth!

Speaking as someone who voted Conservative for over 40 years and subsequently moved to UKIP, speaking as someone who is now a Branch Chairman for UKIP, if the Conservative Party would adopt The Plan as official party policy I would rejoin immediately!

Posted on 10 May 2009 18:10 by witteringsfromwitney

Dear Mr Carswell.

The best chance for ''The Plan'' to come into being would be to get your brilliant co-writer Daniel Hannan to stand for parliament. You and Daniel will be very difficult to ignore for sure....

Posted on 10 May 2009 20:26 by IanT

I've ordered a copy OF The Plan and look forward to reading it.

If this book ever becomes Conservative Party policy and Dan Hannan becomes Leader then I'll join the Conservative Party.

Keep plugging away Douglas, the sooner yours and Dan's views become policy, the better.....

Posted on 10 May 2009 20:31 by Yorkshireman, Yorkshire

With government borrowing at £180 bn that means every single day they stay in power tuns up our debt by £500 million.I think that digure is worth emphasising.

Posted on 11 May 2009 10:58 by Neil Craig

Though I don't agree with evey detail of the plan we do need radical reform of parliament. Please can someone more erudite that me put up a number 10 petition so we can all sign it. Perhaps if we got a large number of signatures the 3 main parties would take note and make at least some of The Plan policy!

Posted on 22 May 2009 11:33 by CathW

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