Constitutional Reform in the offing?
A Bill was even published to increase the number of elected members of Parliament following recommendations by the Select Committee. This was generally rejected by the most important people in society, the voters themselves!
But with the intricacies of Brexit talks over flowing into important areas of political and daily life and in other areas. There now appears to be some early concerted thoughts, to seriously consider reforming and hopefully improving, but certainly updating the 2006 constitution. One hopes, not just to accommodate constitutional issues exposed by Brexit but an in-depth root-and-branch review!
Churchill Said: Democracy is the Worst Form of Government - But is it?
For many years, problems with democracy or the reform of it has mostly been pushed or brushed under the carpet. This in the general belief that “democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others” Most have heard the latter quote by Winston Churchill. The quote represented the views of Churchill one of the most acknowledged former UK Prime Minister’s. This famous line was said by Churchill, not only referring democracy, but also on government as a whole. It’s thought Churchill meant that democracy is not perfect including no government created so far? Words that are hugely relevant today!
While people have often felt unhappy with the results after some elections, their unhappiness generally hasn’t caused them to question the entire democratic system. Locally, the parliamentary reform issue has been on-going for years. Certain politicians and senior party members have spent a good part of their political lives convincing others about parliamentary reform. But apart from creating the parliamentary reform committee, nothing much has happened.
Today’s Democracy Commands Little By Way of Trust - Constitutional Changes a Must
I have a considerable amount of daily/weekly contact with members of the public, during the day, evening and believe me also at night. Technology in this respect, has been a killer, as contact is instant and often unexpected at any time?
From my many exchanges with the public, there is no doubt that politicians and our parliamentary process commands little by way of trust. This in my opinion, is the view from a sizable section of the community and from across the social spectrum! I imagine few shocks from the latter comment?
If a person is over 18 years and registered to vote as a citizen of Gibraltar, that person can exercise their right to vote and be represented in Parliament. However, many would like that changed to include the eligibility of 16 years into the electoral register. This is an age group which is allowed to join in and take part in most over 18 adult life and all social activities good and bad?
Parliament or Democracy, is also often criticised for its lack of representation of women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities, and that would be correct, because they’re not. They are issues that highlight the public’s perception, in what is wrong with our parliamentary system.
Personally, I would like to see the 2006 constitutionally created body, the ‘Gibraltar Police Authority’ scrapped or abolished as it was in Britain a number of years ago. Again, I have penned a number of detailed and in-depth reports on this matter highlighting how the GPA has done very little to enhance or improve local policing. Hence, why in my opinion, one of the main reasons today, why the RGP and policing generally, finds itself, in such an important organisational transitional negatively created changes, BUT… from a point of weakness, at Gibraltar’s detriment?
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20-07-2020 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
