Comments on: Recoil at recall!

By: Derek Young

Derek Young — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:04:34 +0000

This is a rather unfortunate line to be plugging today. Gray Davis, former Governor of California, was recalled for being incompetent. It is arguable whether anything he did illustrated less competence than Clegg’s own handling of the EU referendum fiasco, which has made our party a laughing stock. And it is also arguable that breaking a promise to the electorate would be grounds for recall, in which case all but 15 of the party’s MPs would be feeling extremely uncomfortable today. Imagine if I Want a Referendum organised a recall election in Sheffield Hallam …

By: James Graham

James Graham — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:05:34 +0000

That’s a bit lame isn’t it Antony? At least address some of my points before wrapping yourself up in the comfort rhetoric.

Anyway, what’s this “overwhelming majority” of which you speak? No recall system in the world insists on the petitioners gaining an “overwhelming majority” before a recall vote can be held - it would be futile. I’ll happily split the difference with you and say that such a system would not be subject to any of my objections above. But why would anyone campaign for such a system - it would never result in anyone actually being recalled.

By: Antony Hook

Antony Hook — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:37:24 +0000

If an overwhelming number of Old Bexley constituents would like to sack Derek Conway I really don’t see why they should have to wait until the next General Election.

The people hired him. They should be able to recall and sack him if they want.

By: James Graham

James Graham — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:00:54 +0000

I agree - of course it is a criminal matter.

By: Jock

Jock — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:59:37 +0000

I agree that recall would be wrong for representatives. However I would also suggest that someone suspected of embezzlement, which is really what Conway is, should be fully investigated and prosecuted as far as the law permits as an example to others. If the probity of our representatives is not beyond reproach how can they expect the rest of us to be so. Of course in such a case as this it might take till the next election anyway to see it through court (unless it goes to a Home Secretary mandated Diplock style court over in a week!). It is just not good enough for them to deal with it between themselves with a ten day suspension.

By: Duncan Borrowman

Duncan Borrowman — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:58:24 +0000

My posting may be deceiving James. I am not saying we should have recalls (which Anthony is). I am pointing out what is wrong about the conclusion of Michael White’s blog posting, he seems to be suggesting that voters have a say, when they don’t. So the agents of the voters are mainly the press (and increasingly the internet) in bringing pressure on errant MPs to do the decent thing).