Comments on: Nick Clegg: We need to bring power to the people by cutting the number of MPs http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/ Because few appropriate words begin with the letter "G". The personal blog of Gavin Whenman Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:06:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Lee Griffin http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/comment-page-1/#comment-1143 Lee Griffin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:33:17 +0000 http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/#comment-1143 It's the way of the world. When out of power tell the people you will give them more power (even if this is a bizarre way to say it) then when in power have a sudden onset of amnesia. Of course your statement assumes we haven't been in a state of elective dictatorship for decades now ;) It’s the way of the world. When out of power tell the people you will give them more power (even if this is a bizarre way to say it) then when in power have a sudden onset of amnesia.

Of course your statement assumes we haven’t been in a state of elective dictatorship for decades now ;)

]]> By: Gavin Whenman http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/comment-page-1/#comment-1139 Gavin Whenman Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:05:27 +0000 http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/#comment-1139 Yes, it is interesting that Hailsham's "elective dictatorship" speech came in 1976, when he was to go on to become Lord Chancellor under Thatcher and do nothing to advance electoral reform. Yes, it is interesting that Hailsham’s “elective dictatorship” speech came in 1976, when he was to go on to become Lord Chancellor under Thatcher and do nothing to advance electoral reform.

]]> By: asquith http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/comment-page-1/#comment-1135 asquith Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:47:38 +0000 http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/#comment-1135 Re: Hailsham's coning of the phrase "elective dictatorship". I agree with what he said, but he himself was a hypocrite of the first water. He bitched about a Labour government, but he didn't complain when his mate Thatcher formed three governments despite never even getting half the vote. What a complete Tory! Re: Hailsham’s coning of the phrase “elective dictatorship”.

I agree with what he said, but he himself was a hypocrite of the first water. He bitched about a Labour government, but he didn’t complain when his mate Thatcher formed three governments despite never even getting half the vote.

What a complete Tory!

]]> By: Peter http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/comment-page-1/#comment-1133 Peter Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:33:49 +0000 http://www.gavinwhenman.com/2008/03/13/nick-clegg-we-need-to-bring-power-to-the-people-by-cutting-the-number-of-mps/#comment-1133 I think Clegg is on safe ground because the number of MPs would never be reduced except as part of a comprehensive reform package, including at least PR (STV?) and Lords reform. In fact, I suspect he doesn't much want to do it anyway. Calling for a reduction in MPs is, however, good politics because it allows the party to show that constitutional reform can be an anti-establishment objective, rather than a way of stitching up power between the parties. Hence, I think this is more or less a dog whistle to cynical, libertarian voters who don't trust politicians. I think Clegg is on safe ground because the number of MPs would never be reduced except as part of a comprehensive reform package, including at least PR (STV?) and Lords reform. In fact, I suspect he doesn’t much want to do it anyway.

Calling for a reduction in MPs is, however, good politics because it allows the party to show that constitutional reform can be an anti-establishment objective, rather than a way of stitching up power between the parties. Hence, I think this is more or less a dog whistle to cynical, libertarian voters who don’t trust politicians.

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