Letter: Political donations damage British democracy

The House of Lords is stuffed with party donors. Should the oil industry back political parties that are not worried about climate change?

One problem is that the Trade Union movement makes a considerable contribution to the labour party and they don’t want to give this up as historically it was a significant and important alliance.

The voters are not particularly keen on politicians in general. Those who take money from rich donors may say they don’t lobby in their interest but the sceptical public may not be that impressed. Reform is piling money and canvassers into the Clacton by-election as Count Binface could possibly express that dissatisfaction rather effectively. It may be the shock that is desperately needed.

Our first past the post electoral system has served us well in the past but why are so many people now unhappy with government of whatever colour? Democracy is failing to deal with our many problems.

Proportional representation and better rules on party funding are part of the answer.

State funding of political parties is not popular but we need people to do the research and develop policies.

If AI is to change everything then let us at least have politicians that are well informed about it and understand it.

Members of Parliament work very hard and are not particularly well paid compared to executives of big companies.

Some do three jobs: lobby fodder in Westminster, constituency work and if Ministers a serious department to run.

The fact that ministers are usually complete amateurs and move from prisons to agriculture with a day or two to get on top of their brief is not very efficient.

Rattus recommends a complete shake-up: citizens assemblies, funding of parties based on vote share, remote voting by MP’s, online debates on issues with experts contributing, reform of the House of Lords.

We need to do something about the cynicism of ‘Yes Minister’. We need to control lobbying.

Count Binface might do us a favour.

Rattus Rattus