I wish there were politicians like this - used to be true of the Labour Party but even they seem stuffed full of career politicians now!
Maybe we need term limits on sitting as an Mp?
I would love a new party to come through though if I'm honest they'd be more like the Labour Party pre Blair!
I'd like a party that:
Understood and was from the working class and genuinely wants to represent them
Understood women's rights and the equality act properly - and knows how to define a woman!
Understood the nhs and wants it funded and run properly
Understood the prejudices faced by many often on multiple fronts
Understood national and international economics
Understood national and international trade
Understood and supported the welfare system
Just for starters
It's a bit been debunked but I also liked the idea that supposedly Justin Trudeau did where the cabinet was actually made up of people who's experience meant they knew wtf they were doing in that role!
So eg
Chancellor - an accountant or economist (not a banker who fucked up!)
FCO - someone well travelled with actual lived experience of foreign culture and trade
Home Secretary - former police officer
Justice - Former legal aid worker
Defence - former boots on the ground soldier, not an officer who did a few years!
Health & social care secretary - A former hcp or care worker
Business energy and industrial strategy - for starters I'd separate these! Having energy and business together alone is a conflict of interest! I'd have a business person who had built their own business from the ground up
Energy - an environmental expert who isn't in the back pocket of big oil or the nuclear industry etc
Minister for women and equalities which is currently also stupidly the same person as covers international trade! Wtf! No! I'd have a minister for women, another for equalities and another for international trade
Minister for women - should go without saying but these days! An actual woman! I would even go as far as to say ideally someone who has worked in an area like rape crisis, dv support, sexual harassment at work that kind thing. Equalities - again someone that's worked in the arena NOT a middle aged white middle class man! International trade - again someone with successful and honest experience in the arena, possibly someone who's worked in a charity relating to fair trade type job.
Dwp - for starters change the name and remit! In terms of a person someone who's worked in welfare rights advice would be my choice. Who's advised on appeals and supported claimants and knows the system
Education - a former teacher
Environment, food and rural affairs - again I think possibly there need to be separated. They don't necessarily work together. Environment a suitable expert who understands that there's an ideal and then there's people's need to live their lives too. Food - should be someone with expertise in nutrition, food safety etc. Rural affairs (bit broad) a former farmer?
Housing, communities and local govt - again I don't necessarily think there isn't a conflict here, or could be. Housing - I would want someone who's worked in homelessness. Communities and local govt - again someone with experience in this, in dealing with communities in strife.
Transport - at the very least someone who's been on a fucking bus! But seriously an expert in public transport.
Northern Ireland - needs to be someone extremely adept at diplomacy and non inflammatory, who is northern Irish and understands the culture and issues of the country
Scotland - pretty much as Northern Ireland but of course a scot.
Wales - as above
Digital, culture, media and sport - ugh where to start! This is FAR more important than I think any politician has ever given it credit far more now than ever before so we need someone who GETS that! Who understands the need to support this industry and the infrastructure needed to - as we've learned this past year - keep the country running!
@EnemyOfEducationNo1 how about "the rational nationals"?
Idea being to bring some cohesion and reinforce and increase the idea that we are all one nation - albeit comprised of 4 nations.
Agreed we need the voting system to change too. More people, I think more people didn't vote than voted Tory in the last election? I think I read somewhere?
As a scot I'm also heartily sick that effectively it comes down to who England voters elect!
@StripyGiraffes agreed the scrutiny is very off putting! Eg if I were to stand I would be described by the tabloids as a "crazy slut dole bludger" I have no doubt!
The UK has a lot of people who wanted Brexit
Just as many DIDN'T the vote was VERY close that seems to be ignored/forgotten a lot of the time.