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No democratic legitimacy



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The massive rejection of Labour on 1 May must lay to rest any idea that the House of Commons is the true representative of the British people. So it is clearer than ever that parliamentary ratification of the Lisbon treaty without the promised referendum would be devoid of democratic legitimacy. The people would be under no moral obligation to accept such an outcome.
(DR) D R COOPER

Belmont Park Avenue

Maidenhead, Berkshire

The full article contains 75 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 08 May 2008 8:43 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Stuart W,

09/05/2008 02:11:42
Dr Cooper seems to be implying that more frequent elections are required to provide legitimacy. I wonder how often he wants them, and whether the public would think likewise? However, the declining turnout at elections in recent years would suggest that the public are at odds with Dr Cooper.

Also, it's well known that voters often use mid-term local elections as a protest vote against the incumbent government, and return to the ruling party at the next general election, thus not necessarily indicative of a lack of legitimacy.
2

Isonomia,

Lenzie 09/05/2008 08:13:10
Politicians are only representatives of their party. If you want to find a body that is representative of the people it is the common jury which is so dispised by our politicians.

How annoying it is for the dictators of the political elite when they find that although they can enact whatever laws they like making all kinds of things illegal and they are useless if the true representatives: the democratic juries simply refuse to tow the line!
3

Hugh V McLachlan,

Elderslie 09/05/2008 09:08:47
The letter assumes but does not demonstrate that there can only be one source of political obligation namely some sort of voluntarily expressed consent. This is not plausible.
4

Linda,

Edinburgh 09/05/2008 09:42:27
EU is a grouping on NATIONAL governments of which Scotland should be one (subject to a referendum).
5

Guga II,

Rockall 09/05/2008 09:57:28
#4 Linda. The only problem is that Stalinist, totalitarian control freaks like Maggie Broon don't believe in referenda.
6

Hilary,

Edinburgh 09/05/2008 11:56:18
Oh yes, Dr C.

You are so right.

What an obvious conclusion to draw from local elections.

So remind us, just how well DID UKIP do last Thursday???

 

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