General Discussion
@Lynne, thankyou for the clarification for those that might not have picked up on my 'tongue in cheek, i think' .
The Daily Mash is all satire but it can be difficult to tell the difference between reality and satire these days!
Yes, really funny but very apt too. Some wannabe career politicians are chomping at the bit to get into Westminster and get those allowances and a fat pension. I'm going to read the Daily Mash - daily.
I like this one from 2010;
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/half-of-mps-lie-their-way-out-of-repaying-expenses-201002042439
Probably going to regret posting this but.....
Anyone any thoughts on how Westminster ( both the Lords and the Commons) could be reformed with regard to financial remuneration?
And on a not unrelated point. Why is the term 'career politician' a derogatory one?
After all we don't use the expression 'career accountant' or 'career dentist'.
Do we not like ambition in this country? Or is it just those who are politically ambitious that we sneer at?
(and why do we also seem to have 'issues' with used car salesman and estate agents?)
@Lynne - I wouldn't reform the current system. I don't think it can be. I advocate transformational change. such as abolishing the house of lords for a second elected chamber and pr. having a few hard working, judicious lords doesn't justify a system that evloved from feudalism.
But regarding financial remuneration and expenses scandals, etc. I think we need to put pressure on our government, elected representatives and legal system. So becoming aware and active politically, is step one. Becoming Informed citizens. Then forming bodies that can enforce the right to recall a MP, etc. But thise bodies should be transparent and accountable too and evolve out of a democratic and inclusive process. People need to become active citizens and shape the institutions that represent them, and the law needs to be applied to all. I personally think Morris and Younger-Ross should have both been charged.
But really democratic change needs to happen at the global level too, given we now live in a globalized world. I agree with much of what's written in the Age of Consent by George Monbiot and it's definitely worth a read, explaining that democracy is simply the least worst system of governance we have as a species yet internationally the system resembles anarchy with democracy simply a facade.
I think If you have a career to earn a living or in a field or profession that you're either passionate about or committed to, that is very different from a person who enters politics for personal gain which is what I believe the term 'career politician' really refers to. Not all politicians are 'career politicians'. Everyone wants to earn a better wage and advance themselves, but if that's the sole or main objective of a politician I question whether they really became a politician to help their community, the environment, the local economy. All the things politicians write about themselves when electioneering.
So it's really a question of ethics.
I don't dislike ambition, as long as the motivation is based on extrinsic values and not just self-advacement and egotism. I posted an article on this thread; https://dawlish.com/thread/details/45527 that shows that a lot of politicians motivations are rooted in psychological needs (psychopathy really), so it is often about fulfilling their own needs which are often unfulflled in childhood.
I also object to politicians who put their name forward to get elected in a constituency where they have never lived and not even close to their own home or workplace. What do they know about local needs and local people?
Ambition is fine, but when someone suddenly becomes 'community minded' and tries to advance up the politically ladder as quickly as possible it often raises suspicion.
However I think if that person is genuinely committed to others and unselfish it does not matter when in their life they enter politics or how quickly they rise the ladder. But it really boils down to integrity and how that person has interacted with those they live alongside prior to entering politics and also during their tenure. Otherwise it looks completely incongruous.
I also think 'career politicians' lack commitment to those who elect them by constantly looking elsewhere for a better political gig. Some roles can be combined such as town and district or county councillor.
But if someone is elected for a term in office and within a year they are already looking get elected to a higher level of government in some other geographical area which they've never lived in, frankly shows a lack of respect and in my opinion shows them up as a career politician. They should honour the commitment and see out the term. Otherwise career advancement is their main objective and not acting to serve and represent the public in their town, district or constituency.
I don't have a problem with car sales people, estate agency I feel takes advantage of people in a very closed system.
@Lynne do you still regret your post? And may I ask what you think the term 'career politician' means?
In retrospect I'm only referring to 'wannabe career politicians' which is who I referred to originally in any case and not 'career politicians'.
However some career politicians lack a moral compass too and I've written about them often as well, whearas not all aspirant politicians lack integrity.
I could state we need new people in politics, but really we need a new political sytem, so ultimately it's irrelevant to me who becomes a MP as the system is corrupted in my opinion
I'm really referring to wannabe politicians who are egotists, narcissists and sociopaths.
Given popular disdain for our representatives I think even the word 'politician' has become a derogatory, it hardly needs prefixes added like 'wannabe' and 'career'. Think 'cash for honours', fraudulent expenses, claims, second homes, mirrors and moated homes, the Panama Papers, etc.
Politicians with integrity do exist who make a career in the House of Commons, such as Caroline Lucas, Corbyn, Jo Cox looked like another. Others just want the large pension and perks.
Corbyn and Lucas are politicians of integrity? Now I know you are definitely off your head.
@burneside i'd happily engage in discussion with you if you didn't have to resort to insults.