Camerons localism

Yesterday, Cameron unveiled his plans for a new wave of localism in politics. The policy lays out proposals for more power to be given to local authorities, and for the major cities to have referendums on directly elected mayors. However, leaving aside the various funding issues that would arise, I think most people would agree with more decisions being decided locally.

I have always had a respect for Conservative and Republicans who feel strongly on the expansive state, I feel I would agree, if not for the inability of the small state to provide fairness and equality in the major areas of health, education and welfare.

The idea of more powerful town halls is still attractive though. It puzzles me, the number of Council leaders that ditch their town hall at the chance of a parliamentary seat: they rarely rise far in the commons, and never have that power to change people’s lives, or improve there local community, ever again.

The status of parliament is inflated, and the effects of local democracy are undervalued. Yet with the introduction of directly elected mayors, and greater powers for local councils, could redress that issue.

The role of MPs in the country is confused, as a constituent, do I vote for the best legislator, the best person to represent me, the person most suited to high office or blindly just tick near the box with a rose in it. (Obviously for me it is the latter)

In that other great exemplar of democracy across the pond, these issues are clearer. You elect Congressmen as representatives and legislators, Senators as legislators and representatives, Governors and Presidents and executives and the person with the best net as dog catcher, much simpler, and usually provides the best candidate for each job.

We need to look again at what we want from our various levels of government (House of Lords included), and alter the system accordingly. Blindly giving powers to sub-par, part time, first step/last step of their political career, councillors, however, is not the answer.

James