to think there should be some sort of aptitude test to qualify for the vote?

[MardyBra]

Before getting your polling card, you'd need to do a comprehension test where you look at all the parties' policies and demonstrate that you understand what you are voting for. Then people wouldn't vote on the basis that a certain party leader is a good bloke and buys his round, for example.

Four legs good, two legs bad

Hmmm...benign dictatorship...interesting...I dunno, Russell Brand? Simon Cowell?

My vote counts for 0.053........Yes I know the bloody Tory will always get in! But I still try to vote him out. This is why I'm really quite upset that the LibDems got an MEP. And I hope they get no MPs in 2015.

"Hmmm...benign dictatorship...interesting...I dunno, Russell Brand? Simon Cowell?"

Good god, neither of those. I know, let's have a vote.

"no representation without taxation" perhaps

Those who pay no tax - no vote
Standard rate - one vote
Higher rate - two votes

Benign dictator?

Where's Xenia when her country needs her?

I nominate myself as dictator..
Tyranny of the majority who bothered to vote and all that
Democracy is a lovely idea but when we have evil mongs representing us I'd rather there was an alternative. only half joking

God, my vote only counts for 0.067 anyway, ultra-safe Labour seat.

Mardy - you must have titanium ovaries to start such a thread.

I have seen first hand the thought processes that led to the voting tendencies of a few of my work colleagues - it was a terrifying experience. I stick my head above the parapet very, very rarely; on this occasion I could not prevent myself from pointing out that it might be a good idea to do some thorough research into the policies of political parties, rather than voting as a reaction to their dissatisfaction with the traditional offering.

I then climbed back into my hermit shell. I think they thought I was on substances.

Not everyone in Monaco is rich. Or even comfortable.

It works because the state has money and uses it for bettering what little land they have. Because it is a benign dictatorship, there isn't much opportunity or incentive for politicians to line their own pockets.

meditrina .

Non tax payers can have the franchise in my mardy system, as long as they demonstrate some understanding of what they are voting for.

Xenia would be a good dictator. Not so sure that she would be a benign one, though

That reminds me of my FIL meditrina

He wanted 2 votes......one where he lived and another where is business was.

"Mardy - you must have titanium ovaries to start such a thread. "

I thought I'd weed out the posters with a sense of irony at least.

nagy... not educated does not equal thick.

Many of those baby boomers run the country!

at Xenia.

MN is a benign dictatorship. Maybe MNHQ could take over.

Also, talc, it's distraction techniques. I should be doing my accounts.

'Interesting' premise OP. And what other areas of life would you apply the same completely unfair test to?

What about the highly intelligent person who passes your test and decides to be completely bloody minded when it comes to casting their vote? Or who holds fascist views?

Mardy - you seem to faring quite serenely so far.

On reading your title I assumed that you must have purchased a carapace of asbestos, that you were now wearing in the Pindar nuclear bunker beneath the MOD building in Whitehall.

When all along you have been prancing through the thread in a voile negligee, you charlatan.

Well yes, wowfudge. There will always be some evil bastards who pass the test with flying colours and then vote for UKIP inappropriately anyway.

One of the UKIP candidates (who didn't get in) had aa idea t remove the vote from some people too.

Surely benign dictatorship is really an oxymoron, power corrupts and all that.

I didn't know that tiggytape. Will have to go off and google that!

Yes Nomama........Sometime wonder where my 6 o levels and 1 cse grade 1 would get me now. It didn't get me onto an A level course because my mother thought it was a waste of time for a girl!