Forum Topic

Now and then...

'Migrants are filling gaps in our labour market that Britons are not available to fill or are unwilling to fill. There has not been an adverse effect on employment of British Nationals'  Lord Mandelson in March 2009.Mow: 'I think we have to realise that the entry of migrants to the labour market is hard for people who are finding it very difficult to get work, or to keep jobs' Lord Mandelson yesterdayI guess the penny finally dropped!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4704d8 Comments

Not Politicians for sure but quite who I'm not sure either.

Michael Brandt ● 4704d

Yes, but the problem is who gets to decide just exactly what is "just enough democracy"...?

Tony Colliver ● 4704d

I find it funny when Polish friends say it is more communistic here than it was in Poland.But I do think we ned to take a close look. Yes there are far worse systems and so on but the image that we ( The UK) are a shining pillar of democracy is now a pretence.We can learn from others like Singapore where it can be very strict but does seem a fairly happy place.Our problem is the ease of which the rich and powerful can get their way and the over excesses of capitalism and the deep social conscience of our 'enlightened society'The way in which it is too easy for councillors, officers and councils to be manipulated and the poor compromises that become ratified by playing politics rather than common sense.The fact that too many councillors , planners, architects, developers and some builder have cosy relationships, jobs and advisory positions with lobbying and PR companies that have tie ups with developers and corporate developers is very alarming.The same goes for this intern system of students in politics going from school to university to politics without doing a proper job and living life outside of political circles is also not good for democracy. It is a political class just like any other class and it is highly unlikely to produce a great selection of capable brains to run the country to it's best.The culture of town halls being run by officers with agendas and the secrecy  in areas where it should be open also has to be addressed.It's all broken in parts and it needs fixing but the system only ever seems to tackle what is not broken and then that needs fixing as well.

Michael Brandt ● 4704d

"...the tired and failed system in this, the mother of democracy..."Michael, I think there might be too much democracy in Britain. On the other hand, I wouldn't like the Russian or Chinese system, where there is little or nil democracy. Rather, I might fancy the Singaporean model, which is to have just enough democracy to make everyone of the populace happy.  Whadyah think?

Gerry Tan ● 4704d

Your comments are so true.I guess when people enter into politics they do so with the best intentions, sadly I guess this is short lived and they get sucked into the mire that is the political scene today.I have no trust in any of them right now and I guess that many people feel the same. If there was en election tomorrow I just don't know who I would vote for and that is a sad reflection on just how bad things have become.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4704d

I'm reluctant to agree but It is true.Almost everything that is tainted by the meddling of politicians ends up in a mess.Doesn't matter what it is or which party they ooze from.The thing that has always bothered me is how genuine well intentioned young would be politicians enter the fray and somehow within a short time become consumed with the greed, double standards and childish mire of party politics.I have to say I would stand as an independent as I am so disenfranchised from all our parties but the fear that I too might get sucked into such a mess puts me right off.I would love to see really deep and big changes to the tired and failed system in this, the mother of democracy from tip to toe and including the way councils and the civil service run.It really is time expired.I sadly don't have a time machine so won't be able to see that in several lifetimes.

Michael Brandt ● 4704d

My late mother, God rest her soul, had a maxim: "Don't lie, you'll never remember all of them".Shame that some politician's mothers didn't instil their offspring with the same value.

Nigel Brooks ● 4704d

Scum the lot of 'em (politicians that is...!)

Tony Colliver ● 4704d