An excellent idea, John. Random choice of those who govern us would quite literally be the most pure form of representative democracy. Unfortunately, it would create a problem with exactly what sort of policy would be followed and how a ‘government’ is chosen, which after all, has to come from those represented in Parliament.

I think that a system as suggested by yourself would best be adopted for a second chamber replacing the house of Lords, but those chosen, would have to be representatives for maybe say a ten year term, otherwise why would anyone abandon their chosen career even if it was paid and came with a pension (as does serving, I believe, two terms of Parliament)?

The Commons is best represented by a strict proportional system of one seat per 100,000 voters (about 460 top up seats) and an additional 200 seats per 230,000 voters for first past the post. By this method I’d estimate the Tories would still get around 268 seats but would have to govern with another party. It would still allow a situation like under Blair’s first election, for a party to govern with a majority but still allow proportional repepresentative government.

Also, in the last 25 years or so, any real dissent has been carefully but firmly ironed out of politics, the media, business and many other spheres by keeping working class people, ethnic minorities and anyone else who might say something ‘not on the agenda’ out, so politics, media and many other spheres of activity are top heavy with white Middle class men mostly from London and the SE, with the occasional token black, Working class person or woman to keep the liberals quiet.

This is reality now. Anyone disagree with that? Just look at the leaders of all of the main parties. It is business as usual. The rich get richer and the rest of us are meant to have a rictus grin on our face and be deliriously happy because the rich get richer.

Power will remain with the people when there is a democracy. But there isn’t, so the power is currently resting with the parties.

Surely your article, however enlightening, stipulates that Britain isn’t in fact a true democracy and as such power doesn’t entirely reside with the people. Regardless if we regard Baron Acton’s quote then if as you say “power will still remain with the people.” surely then it is people(electorate) that are corrupt.

Haha, thank you!