Public opinion and referendums ?

[modeller]

However we may vote there are parts of all manifestos that we agree or disagree with. The government is supposed to represent the views of the population, that is democracy. Therefore should there be referendums covering all the main points of common concern so that whichever party is elected knows what is expected of them.? At the moment most manifestos are so wishy washy they can do virtually what they like. Gallop type polls are of little value as they frequently represent a minority view.

[anotheoldgit]

Whenever have you known any political part to stick to their referendums?

And if they only represented the views of the majority, then that would be democracy, and we can't have that can we?

[Quinlad]

Every piece of ligislation should be voted for by the public via the red button. I mean it, every single one.

I suppose there could be another channel that features some kind of debate, but it's not that important. It's boring. People should be able to vote without sitting through all that.

[Oneeyedvic]

Hands up who would like to pay less tax
Hands up who would like more policemen on the beat
Hands up who would like to have a free car.

Answer to all of the above is yes please. Reality of the all above is impossible.

It is impossible to rule a country by referendum.

[modeller]

Of course its impossible to rule by referendum alone but neither should the government totally disregard public opinion which too often happens.

[jake-the-peg]

No - referendums mean nobody takes responsibility.

We elect governments to take decisions and hold them to account for those decisions.

Shall we have a referendum to incorporate Friday into the weekend?

I'll bet it'd be a "yes" don''t you?