A new politics?

[tinyjo]

Of the 4 mayoral elections last week, 3 of them were won by independent candidates, partly as a result of low turnout, partly the proportional system used for the election (I forget what it's called but you get 2 votes - a first and second preference) and partly because people are fed up with politicians and perhaps feel that someone not backed by a party will listen to them more than to voices from London. But it made me wonder. These men will be quite prominent in their local communities. They've got big(ish) budgets and the scope to get some things done. And what I wondered is whether this could become a new route into national politics. Two of the main problems independent candidates have in national elections is that people often aren't sure where they stand on all the issues and that they have no track record. It can be overcome (see Martin Bell and whatsisname the doctor who got elected to save a local hospital) but it's very rare. Perhaps institutions like the new mayoralties will democratise democracy by allowing more of us to actually aspire to get to where the decisions are made.

Comments

[soulsong.livejournal.com]

I agree. The idea that someone might actually get into power unsullied and unstifled by the millstone of a national party line is extremely refreshing. The only problem with the mayoral position is that it is so powerful, and very inexperienced people are being elected, who can only be overruled by a 2/3 vote of the whole council. I dont really like these powerful mayors. But I do like the tendency for non-party people to get a good following and get a chance in power. My preference would be for any mention of parties to be banned during local election campaigns. Let everyone stand on their own platform, and allow everyone to choose good candidates without feeling an obligation to vote for a donkey, just because they are one particular colour. I just think these mayors are going the wrong way if the goal is to encourage more local political involvement.

Good idea!

[applez.livejournal.com]

I've also come across similar ideas, but rather than 'democratisation' generally by local power applying pressure upwards, I'm attracted to the idea as a means of perhaps seeing a real third party take root in the US.

Unfortunately, I have to also acknowledge that the reality of inexperienced/unsullied candidates and stronger local power can lead to such negative experiences as:

Governor Jessie Ventura - former WWF wrestler become Governor of Minnessota; besides the loss reputation for the state (which most didn't really mind or think on in MN, I think), he's made a general cock-up of state politics and has also recently been in Havana promoting MN agriculture over federal objections...

and

Premiere Ralph Klein - hardly a novice to politics, Alberta's premiere has been in office for nearly a decade. Then again, he is a professional drunk who made his bartender campaign manager (no lie!). Due to the strength of the provinces in Canada's union, he really can torpedo Canada's attempts at realistically adopting and meeting Kyoto targets - as he has openly said he would love to do.

and

Mayor Giuliani - he certainly cleaned up NYC like no Mayor of the city since La Guardia, and presided over a huge budget and city resources ... but there is some question as to how he'd handle the current budget crisis in NYC (seeded by his tenancy in office perhaps?). At any rate he's down in Mexico City piling up several million in fees to offer advice to that city's mayor on how to clean up his problems. Also, as a Republican, he hasn't made much headway in the state legislature in changing the Democratic hold of NY.

Re: Good idea!

[andypop.livejournal.com]

Yeah - the independent candidates for mayor of Hackney (my district of London) are positively sinister. Too often 'independent' means 'secretly a fascist', 'ex-army idiot', etc. I voted for Paul Foot (veteran left-wing campaigner, Socialist Alliance candidate) with the Green candidate as my second choice (it's unlikely I'll ever vote Labour again).