The Voice Box

Election Time! LONDON, UK. A small leaflet came through my door recently, stating very dramatically that this year we will be having three votes at election time. It definitely sounded unusual, and therefore it was something to celebrate. But I did not feel that way, and I saw no reason to be particularly excited by the prospect. This is the UK, and national elections are held approcimately every four years. I say approximately, because the nature of the system allows the government in power to move the goal posts a bit as to when the elections are held. We are assuming that the election will be held in May, 2010. Whatever your feelings, elections have reached the stage, even in so-called democracies like ours, of being rather dull affairs. The parties go through their motions, finally we are left to make our choice. It does not help when details of the event, and the candidates are left to being disclosed at the last moment. The three votes, discussed, which offer an option to select ...

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT LONDON UK Our Politicians Are Guilty The recent revelations by newspapers about the embellished claims made by our politicians to cover their expenses remind us how little accountability takes place in our parliamentary system. The public revulsion, and the total dismay by the electorate, only serves to remind us how little we understand about the democracy we often boast about. Claiming expenses have always being an easy option to fiddle in any form of business. But the length to which some politicians used the system to benefits themselves, was a great shock to the easy pleasing British general public. There are now shouts from everyone for change, and of course, a totally new and transparent system. We will see how quickly any new system will be put in place. In the last few days, several people have called for the resignation of the Speaker, as they accused him of dragging his feet instead of dealing effectively with the situation. Should he resign? Of course h...

Mr. Brown Goes to Washington After a month of the being the new Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Brown is off to Washington to hold talks with President Bush. The meeting is not unexpected. After having such a cosy relationship with Tony Blair, it will come as no surprise that both political leaders will make a great effort to at least pretend all is well. Therefore, a lot is expected from Mr. Brown on his first official visit as Prime Minister of the UK. So far on this side of the Atlantic, the media have offered conflicting opinions of the kind of stance that Gordon Brown will take when he meets George Bush. Some are quite confident the that he will reaffirm and cement the UK special relationship with America. Others are not so sure. Many believe that the time has come for some plain talking with Mr. Bush, and emphasised that Gordon is in a good position to offer it. British troops are still in Basra, and the public is hoping they will be brought home soon. But the big question is will t...

Tony Blair is Leaving After months, or even years, of hearing about the departure of Tony Blair as Prime Minister of the UK, the event is finally going to take place. Mr. Blair has now named his date, and by the end of the month we will have a new Prime Minister. this manoeuvre may be difficult for outsiders to understand. But it has to be noted that in this country, the selection of the new prime minister will be done by the Labour members, elected to the Houses of Parliament. The role of the masses is to sit back and enjoy the process, whether they approve or not. Why is he leaving? It is simply to fulfil the agreeement he made with Gordon Brown years ago the share the leadership role, bizarre as it may sound. Rumour has it, at the launching of the new style Labour Party, they made that pledge. Of course, some others will offer a very different explanation. This is the view that he has run out of ideas, and has become so unpopular in the country, and in his party; the time has come f...