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Democracy 2015
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Democracy 2015 (also described as D2015) is an independent Wikipedia:political campaign and movement with the intermediate objective of encouraging 'non-politicians' to stand as parliamentary candidates in the Wikipedia:next United Kingdom general election. The movement's stated aim is ultimately to achieve a House of Commons majority in 2015 and form a reformist government independent of parliamentary parties and composed of these non-politicians volunteering to stand for a single term only. It was initiated by Wikipedia:Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of Wikipedia:The Independent newspaper.
Contents
Origins
Historic
The rationale behind the movement is the idea that the long-term decline in voter turnout and parallel rise in popular discontent with the British party system are symptomatic of a general disillusionment with the existing parties and politicians in particular.[1] A survey by the Wikipedia:Hansard Society in April 2012 found that ‘less than half the population is now interested in politics at all and one in three is unlikely or certain not to vote at the next election.’[2][3] Generally, there was a measured decline in public faith in Parliament, with a majority believing Britain’s political system to be fundamentally flawed.[4]
Politics as a profession
Another perceived reason for the public’s distrust in politicians is the increasing professionalisation of the political class in Britain.[5] This professionalisation means that politicians are more likely to have completed their university studies at Wikipedia:Oxbridge and more likely to have studied Wikipedia:Philosophy, Politics and Economics at undergraduate level. It also means that modern politicians are less likely to have had careers outside of the party political sphere, with many having gone straight from university to Wikipedia:think tank, research or special adviser roles. For this reason, Aeron Davis argues that “we have a modern class of party leaders which are more proficient at winning elections and attuned to policy networks but, at the same time, are less connected socially to wider publicsâ€.[6]
The Blair, Brown and Cameron governments
Public dissatisfaction was also felt with inactivity from politicians to deal with crises, instead using events for their own electioneering ends, such as the Labour Party 'spin doctor' Wikipedia:Jo Moore, accused of using the Wikipedia:September 11 attacks as a cover for burying unpalatable government stories.[7] The Cameron government’s handling of the recession in the UK triggered by the global financial crisis attracted plentiful criticism[8] and more generally a negative perception emerged in public opinion of about the Government’s lack of accountability in financial affairs.[9][10] This was compounded by a frustration at repeated reneging on manifesto promises,[11] and undertaking"u-turns" on matters of policy.[12] Widely publicised scandals such as the Wikipedia:United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal exacerbated wider public frustration with UK politicians.[13] Shortly afterwards, Government’s reputation was tarnished further by proceedings at the Wikipedia:Leveson Inquiry, which exposed that prominent British politicians had close relationships with journalists and publications.[14]
4 September 2012 article
In an article published on 4 September 2012 in The Independent newspaper, columnist Andreas Whittam Smith heavily criticised the state of contemporary UK politics. It specifically targeted the unhealthy state of party politics and a lack of politicians with career experience before becoming MPs. Although Whittam Smith expressed concern worried about growing public apathy to the state of British politics, he appeals to the ‘strong democratic tradition’[15] of the UK. The article was followed the next day (5 September) by a manifesto expressing the precise deficiencies (as Whittam Smith viewed them) in the British political system.[16] It furthermore contained a call for experienced career professionals to run for a one term election campaign in order to alter the state of British politics and government. Politicians elected from the Democracy 2015 campaign would take office for one term before standing down.[17]
Links
Template:Infobox political party
- ↑ UK Political Info General election turnout 1945 – 2010. URL accessed on 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Ruth, (2012). "Audit of Political Engagement 9, Part One," Hansard Society, {{{volume}}}, .
- ↑ Wright, Oliver (25 April 2012). "Political apathy hits a new low – especially if you're a Lib Dem". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/political-apathy-hits-a-new-low--especially-if-youre-a-lib-dem-7676011.html. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
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- ↑ Peter, (2012). "Democracy on Trial: What voters really think of Parliament and our Politicians," YouGov/Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, {{{volume}}}, .
- ↑ Davis, Aeron (2010). Political Communication and Social Theory, p. 35, Oxford: Routledge.
- ↑ Pod Academy Sound-bites, u-turns and populism: the rise of the professional politician. URL accessed on 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Sparrow, Andrew (10th Oct. 2001). "Sept 11: 'A good day to bury bad news'". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1358985/Sept-11-a-good-day-to-bury-bad-news.html. Retrieved 28 August 2012. </li>
- ↑ Gonzalo Vina and Svenja O'Donnell (26 July 2012). "Osborne Economy Plan Attacked as Critics Question Competence". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-26/osborne-economy-plan-attacked-as-critics-question-competence. Retrieved 28 August 2012. </li>
- ↑ Inman, Phillip (23 August 2012). "Bank of England governor too powerful, says Barker". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/aug/23/bank-of-england-governor-too-powerful. Retrieved 29 August 2012. </li>
- ↑ R, (2012). "The Electoral Impact of the UK 2009 MPs’ Expenses Scandal," Political Studies, {{{volume}}}, .
- ↑ Peter, (2012). "Democracy on Trial: What voters really think of Parliament and our Politicians," YouGov/Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, {{{volume}}}, .
- ↑ Owen, Paul (31 May 2012). "Coalition U-turns: the full list". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/31/coalition-u-turns-full-list. Retrieved 28 August 2012. </li>
- ↑ Spencer, Clare Daily View: MPs' expenses. BBC. URL accessed on 28 August 2012.
- ↑ Wintour, Patrick (14 June 2012). "Leveson inquiry: Brooks texted Cameron to say 'we're in it together'". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jun/14/leveson-inquiry-david-cameron-rebekah-brooks. Retrieved 28 August 2012. </li>
- ↑ Stanley, Tim The Americanization of the UK democratic tradition. CBS News. URL accessed on 11 September 2012.
- ↑ Whittam Smith, Andreas How you can bring our ailing democracy back to life. The Independent. URL accessed on 11 September 2012.
- ↑ Whittam Smith, Andreas Our democracy is desperately sick. This is your chance to help save it Creative use of digital media could exceed the power of political parties to raise funds. Independent Voices. The Independent. URL accessed on 11 September 2012.
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