Do our politicians really understand this democracy thingy?

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP and president of the Union of European Federalists, writing in European Voice:

"........At home, referenda will unleash the forces of populist nationalism......."

to which the comment by Idris Francis is most apt:

"Andrew Duff MEP seems not to understand that in Britain sovereignty is not vested in Parliament but in the people themselves. Parliament is merely a passing parade of delegates [supposedly] elected by the people to carry out their wishes......"

although I do believe Idris Francis omitted that most important word: 'supposedly', which I have inserted.

I would also refer readers to the comment by Lidington, to which I referred in my previous post, as another example whereby our politicians do not understand this democracy thingy.

Unfortunately it is a fact that what our politicians can 'get away with' is dependant on what the electorate allow. As in the 1930s Britons failed to listen to what Hitler was telling them, likewise in 1975 at the time of the last referendum when they failed to listen to what the EEC [as then was] was telling them, so insufficient Britons are failing to listen to what the EU is telling them.

It has been shown that many Conservative Party members and constituencies - even some MPs - are 'unhappy' with Cameron and his stance on the European Union - and one has to ask: Why? Cameron is the same person he was prior to 6th May this year. Not one of his faults, imperfections or failings, not one of his virtues, abilities or capabilities has changed. Did the eyes of Conservative Party members only open once they saw the direction in which he was heading? To those MPs, the same accusation can be made and the same question asked: Why? In respect of Conservative MPs the answer is simply one of their seats - whilst the possibility of being elected as a Member of Parliament was available, the current crop of Conservative MPs adopted the attitude of: "Yes, David; No, David; Whatever you say, David" and for that they only deserve the electorate's contempt

Many words have been written about the corruption of our elected representatives, centred on the what is perceived to be misuse of public money when claiming expenses. Yet corruption is not just practised in the financial field, it is practised in the democratic field also. To ensure furtherance of their political careers, MPs who did not believe in membership of the EU have behaved like all scoundrels and fraudsters down the ages - they have sold their public for personal gain. We have, in effect, reached the point where democracy, per se, is dead because the electorate's cynicism is such that it no longer expects any correlation between belief and behaviour, nor words and actions, on the part of its elected representatives.

When, dear reader, the electorate finally accept that the cynicism they presently feel is, in fact, reality; that is when the revolution - and resultant recriminations - will begin, at which time once again the people of this nation will be fighting for their heritage.