Where do I stand? Democracy.
This post was the second in a series setting out the basics of what I
believe politically. You may not agree with everything I say. What I say won't
necessarily become Party policy in full if I'm elected Leader of UKIP. But it
will give you confidence to know which direction the Party is headed
in.
UKIP is the Party of democracy. We're bringing back power from Brussels
to Westminster by leaving the EU. Well, great, but that's not job done. Next it's time to bring power back from
Westminster to the people of our great nation.
I believe in referenda.
Giving the public the power to call a binding referendum on key social and moral
issues (and this doesn't have to be expensive - they can be held on the same day
as Council elections to save costs) would give people power, especially over
issues that are currently decided by a free vote in Parliament. On those issues,
democracy currently doesn't exist at all. The Swiss system of referenda works
perfectly well. As long as there are appropriate checks, balances and
thresholds, the referendum is a great way to get people to care about democracy
and as the EU referendum showed, people go out and vote when an issue matters to
them.
I believe in electoral reform.
We need to answer the West Lothian question with a system that's fair to England
- just as much as one that's fair to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The
current unelected House of Lords is no longer fit for purpose. An appointed, yet
political, chamber is the worst of all worlds. We need a system which includes
an element of proportional representation to ensure that people feel their votes
count - whilst retaining a constituency link.
Every step of the way, I'm
following the UKIP political philosophy: power to the
people.
