Should The Respect For Anyone, Be A Reason To Interfere With The Running Of Democracy?

[anotheoldgit]

Regardless of this person's politics, and at the same time not wishing to be in anyway disrespectful towards the sad death of this MP, I ask this question.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/681255/Outrage-BNP-Liberty-candidate-Jack-Buckby-contest-Batley-Spen-seat-Jo-Cox-shot

[mikey4444]

Yes, you are correct Gromit. The tradition is not generally kept by individuals, but its seems that Farage did "rock the boat" in 2010.

And failed miserably.

[Gromit]

Mikey,

UKIP had no MPs in the House in 2010, so Farage contesting the seat was not a disrespectful act then. But in 2015, UKIP and the Green Party both had MPs in the House, and challenged the Speaker. That was a break with tradition.

[THECORBYLOON]

ANOTHEOLDGIT, if you are saying parties MUST put up candidates is that not removing a party's democratic right not to? UKIP did not put up candidates in twenty-six seats in 2015 and the Greens stood in 571 out of the 650 constituencies. What sanctions should be imposed on a party not standing at every seat? Should it apply to all parties or only the top three and who decides?

[Peter Pedant]

uncontested elections were common in the nineteenth century esp in Ireland I think

I dont know when the last one was

[Peter Pedant]

Armagh North Antrim North and Hemsworth ( E) have all had shoo-ins in the last cerntury

[aelmpvw]

nineteenth century? i thought this was news, not history

[THECORBYLOON]

This is the 21st Century so the last one was the 20th Century.

[THECORBYLOON]

The last four uncontested were in Ulster in the 1951 General Election according to Wikipedia, Armagh, Londonderry, North Antrim and South Antrim.

[andy-hughes]

The problem here is that everyone is still in shock about the tragic death of this poor woman, and emotions are running high.

However, as AOG correctly points out, the democratic process is above emotion, and quite rightly so, and the emotional furore being whipped up by the actions of this individual far outweigh the impact and importance of what he is doing.

The process for election remains in place, and as such, Mr Buckby is entitled to stand for the seat.

He should do so without the oxygen of publicity he so clearly craves, and be quietly left to humiliate himself, and not allow his nonsense to get in the way of life going on as the people pick up the pieces after this tragedy, and let life resume, as it must.

[THECORBYLOON]

Is it not also a case of the other major parties not wanting to be seen benefitting from the death? There have been many by-election following the death of an MP but in this country at least, the deaths have been mainly due to natural causes and not murder.

[EDDIE51]

Why worry about the BNP proving yet again what a bunch of morons they are? This will considerably diminish their already minimal support, really shot themselves in the foot this time.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

I thought your post was 'bang on' until you spoilt it by your last paragraph caused I presume by your personal dislike for the politics of Mr Buckby.

Couldn't we take it that Mr Buckby thinks the same as both you and I regarding the fact that the democratic process is above emotion.

So can we put aside this person's politics for now and suggest that maybe he is a person of principle who is prepared to lose his deposit over this undemocratic action by the other parties, who obviously are not prepared to lose theirs?

[woofgang]

Finally an action by MOST of the political parties that is both sensible and respectful. A breath of clean air after the referendum stupidity and nastiness.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //I thought your post was 'bang on' until you spoilt it by your last paragraph caused I presume by your personal dislike for the politics of Mr Buckby.

Couldn't we take it that Mr Buckby thinks the same as both you and I regarding the fact that the democratic process is above emotion.

So can we put aside this person's politics for now and suggest that maybe he is a person of principle who is prepared to lose his deposit over this undemocratic action by the other parties, who obviously are not prepared to lose theirs? //

Your point is a fair one - it's hardly an advertisement for my avowed intention to leave emotion out of the democratic process when I allowed my own personal emotions to creep in at the last minute!

I am prepared to concede that the gentleman is indeed a person of principle - at least as far as the democratic process is concerned, but I disagree that the other parties are unwilling to field a candidate for fear of the loss of a deposit.

I think their action, or more accurately inaction, is designed to reflect the mood of the populace in general. Heaven knows, politicians can drop themselves in the proverbial from a great height with no encouragement, so it is essential that, on occasions like this, the don't go looking for accusations of insensitivity and crass point-scoring, which is the likely national opinion of any party fielding a candidate under these circumstances.

Mr Buckby will have to hope that his willingness to exercise his political right to stand will shield him from the chill wind of virtually unanimous national distaste.

[anotheoldgit]

EDDIE51

/// Why worry about the BNP proving yet again what a bunch of morons they are? ///

This has nothing to do with the BNP, this ex-BMP member is contesting the seat on behalf of Liberty GB.

[jambutty]

I'd support him. Oh and by the way andy, not interested in any lengthy response from you.

[EDDIE51]

AOG, All that tells us is that 'Liberty GB' is a reincarnation of the BNP!

[EDDIE51]

Here you are
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Weston_(politician)

[THECORBYLOON]

ANOTHEOLDGIT, were the Greens and UKIP wrong in not fielding candidates in every constituency in the last election and what sanctions should be imposed if this happens again?

[andy-hughes]

jambutty - //I'd support him. Oh and by the way andy, not interested in any lengthy response from you. //

Don't flatter yourself - not interested in writing one!