@pete @zleap I don’t think it’s that simple. In my view we live in an oligarchy not a democracy. It’s the wealthy and powerful individuals and corporations that call the shots not the people.

@therightarticle @zleap

Oligarchy is a different discussion.

But, insofar as we have a functioning democracy, we can't say the government doesn't represent us (as a nation). I know we can say "I didn't vote for them", but that's not the point. Whether or not you vote for your MP they still represent you. You can still talk to them, they can still address the concerns of your community, etc.

Ultimately, unless there is a dictatorship, the citizens are responsible for who is in power.

@pete @zleap I think we have different views. I simply don’t accept we have a ‘functioning democracy’. You can see clear evidence of democracy not functioning effectively in most areas of policy. Neither can you ignore or dismiss the role of the media, of lobbyists, corporations and the merging of broad policy in our two party system in impacting negatively on the effective functioning of democracy.

@therightarticle @zleap

So, if we had a functioning democracy, and a government you didn't vote for did something evil, do they represent the citizens or not?

@pete @zleap I think the Conservatives have done many evil things. They won with the votes of 29% of the electorate. Do they represent the citizens or not?

@therightarticle @zleap

Yes, the Tory government do represent us. We have to own it. Otherwise no-one is responsible.

@pete @zleap You think we live in a functioning democracy. I don’t. Let’s leave it there.

@therightarticle @zleap

No, I don't think we live in a functioning democracy. I thought I made that clear. Apologies if I didn't.

@pete @therightarticle @zleap ✅