Transparent Government

[cpjackso]

This thread is for discussing the suggestion that government be 'transparent', at least more so than it is now.

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Personally, I think the PPUK have the opportunity to implement *transparent* government, a government that are answerable to the people and do what the UK people (generally) want.

I think this country needs to realise that MPs and the government are not experts and never will be. Democracy is supposed to make this country what it is; it's been copied around the world, but to be honest it has been tarnished recently with "Democracy" being used as an excuse for invading countries etc.

This might sound a bit out-there, wacky etc, but how about saying that once PPUK are in government that all main, important issues will be referred for a vote? The PPUK MPs can have their opinions and voice them to promote their corner, but at the end of the day normal, everyday people should decide on the issues. Unlike any time in history we now have the technology to potentially poll every single (interested) person in the country within a few hours. As an example, obviously everyone wants 0% tax, but it would mean PPUK has to clearly explain why 20% tax is reasonable because we provide A,B,C,D,E,F,G. If the population decides that 19% is more reasonable then G cannot be provided.

The PPUK could implement a system, using OSS, to allow each person to vote on national *and local* issues, and allow people to post documents to back either side. I think this would be a far more democratic system than our current one, where decisions are made for us... I'm not saying decisions should not be made by leaders, because they should, but decisions such as "Should we put a bypass through X?" should be put as a local-issue for locals of X (and possibly Y) to be asked rather than Gordon Brown to decide upon.

Maybe I'm suggesting an "Internet" party, rather than a "pirate party"?

[dbt1984]

Personally, I think the PPUK have the opportunity to implement *transparent* government, a government that are answerable to the people and do what the UK people (generally) want.

I think this country needs to realise that MPs and the government are not experts and never will be. Democracy is supposed to make this country what it is; it's been copied around the world, but to be honest it has been tarnished recently with "Democracy" being used as an excuse for invading countries etc.

This might sound a bit out-there, wacky etc, but how about saying that once PPUK are in government that all main, important issues will be referred for a vote? The PPUK MPs can have their opinions and voice them to promote their corner, but at the end of the day normal, everyday people should decide on the issues. Unlike any time in history we now have the technology to potentially poll every single (interested) person in the country within a few hours. As an example, obviously everyone wants 0% tax, but it would mean PPUK has to clearly explain why 20% tax is reasonable because we provide A,B,C,D,E,F,G. If the population decides that 19% is more reasonable then G cannot be provided.

The PPUK could implement a system, using OSS, to allow each person to vote on national *and local* issues, and allow people to post documents to back either side. I think this would be a far more democratic system than our current one, where decisions are made for us... I'm not saying decisions should not be made by leaders, because they should, but decisions such as "Should we put a bypass through X?" should be put as a local-issue for locals of X (and possibly Y) to be asked rather than Gordon Brown to decide upon.

Maybe I'm suggesting an "Internet" party, rather than a "pirate party"?

Maybe the pirate party is the beginning of the internet party

[valisk1]

Total transparency, and I agree, a vote on all issues passed by parliament, let the people be sovereign in reality rather than just in rhetoric.

[dbt1984]

There is a party already employing the said policy, its called the referendum party. But i do agree this would be the way forward.

[Grunchtherunch]

good idea i guess what most of us are generally thinking is a much more free system that benefits everyone by decentralizing government as much as possible and really giving the power to the people rather than just the power of a single vote once a year. because right now i think we have to face the fact that the people in the country do not decide much of anything... it's all about the powerful few, that do not represent us well and do not really listen to what we have to say, especially us (in general) the younger generation who are more tech wise, and far more liberal

[CalUK1986]

I like this idea. Open government should be the right way forward. So with this should come "Internet for ALL UK households", maybe with government grants for people that cannot afford the internet? I think the internet can be used for good, as in helping everyone learn, and communicate.

[ashdanchan]

I like this idea. Open government should be the right way forward. So with this should come "Internet for ALL UK households", maybe with government grants for people that cannot afford the internet? I think the internet can be used for good, as in helping everyone learn, and communicate.

Why not have designated voting locations such as a school or library where people in the local area can go to vote on issues on the internet... the only issue with such a system i could see it that a) MP's wouldn't be in favor as they will no longer have a job b) it would be easy to disrupt and rig votes

[valisk1]

I like this idea. Open government should be the right way forward. So with this should come "Internet for ALL UK households", maybe with government grants for people that cannot afford the internet? I think the internet can be used for good, as in helping everyone learn, and communicate.

Why not have designated voting locations such as a school or library where people in the local area can go to vote on issues on the internet... the only issue with such a system i could see it that a) MP's wouldn't be in favor as they will no longer have a job b) it would be easy to disrupt and rig votes

I don't think vote disruption on a large scale would be possible without it being blatantly obvious, a'la Iran 2009. Slough UK 2007 etc.
Whatever else we might feel about the establishment, the UK itself has systems in place robust enough to tackle such fraud and deal with the perpetrators.

[ashdanchan]

But how could we be sure that the actual computer voting system wouldn't be rigged is what I was trying to say... and in regard to iran... yes people are perfectly aware of the situation however no one on the outsite had the bottle to deal with the situation.

How do peeople feel about censorship in counrties such as china?

[samgower]

Transparent government does not mean referendums on everything. It means automatically making available all government data and reports, especially regarding how money is spent, in order to encourage efficiency and prudence.

[ashdanchan]

I don't believe goverment can be completly transparent in this regard... as their is certain information best kept out of the public domain such as military reports and data.

However if there are aliens then this should be released to the public

[jamesmcm]

I think that we should use a revision control system (like the Wiki software) on all Parliament bills so changes can be tracked back to individuals easily.

I do not think we should go to direct democracy (calling referendums on everything), because it would be so swayed by the media. Look at the media's lying about the EU - it makes people want to leave without even understanding it!

Furthermore, what about bills dealing with complicated issues like science and technology - the media could influence the vote hugely as there would be so many voting and not understanding the issue, why should someone unqualified and unknowledgable about a subject be allowed to vote on it?

[ashdanchan]

Tell me some pro's of the EU then?

[jamesmcm]

Well for a start we get Free travel between EU nations which is handy, they also fund infrastructure development in many nations (I believe they funded many roads in N. Ireland), they fund many scientific projects like the Galileo satellite project and JET, and provide the ERASMUS programme for European students to exchange universities.

There are some downsides too, they are very pro-privatization and economic liberalization recently and pass some bills like the EUCD.

[ashdanchan]

Not to mention the huge cost of the EU and the inabilty for the UK to decide on its own laws... these are pretty big cons if you ask me... surley the money spent on the EU is huge compared to the money it would have taken to build the roads.

[jamesmcm]

This is irrelevant anyway - it is clear that the media will happily lie to manipulate people and that would have a huge sway under direct democracy (if it doesn't have enough sway under a normal democracy already), as such direct democracy is not feasible unless you want Fuhrer Rupert Murdoch.

[john_bishop]

Other pirate parties stand for greater transparency of government - given the nature of the recent expenses scandal in the UK, could we add this to our list of policies?

If we pressed the issue we could even field our candidates as anti-corruption in which case the big parties might step down their candidates in areas where ours are running (both Labour and the Lib Dems have done this in the past).

P.S. How can I get more involved in the party?

[Trakgalvis]

That sounds like a good idea!