Reform

What’s in a name? “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” Yet names matter. If someone keeps changing their name, it’s natural to ask questions. “Reform”, the party that did so well in the recent local elections, was previously called the Brexit Party, which was itself a rebranding of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). So how appropriate is the latest name?

The word “reform”, used in the political context, is usually taken to mean a progressive movement towards a more equal and democratic society, achieved through small, incremental changes to the existing system. Newcastle’s Monument to Earl Grey commemorates the Representation of the Peoples Act of 1832, a classic example of one small step in the long process of reform from absolute monarchy and feudalism to a modern, democratic society – work still in progress. The alternative, for those who prefer giant leaps, is revolution. 

Perhaps some Reform voters were looking for a right-wing revolution? Anti-immigrant, anti-net zero, anti-woke. Others may have voted out of frustration with the established parties. Several unexpected stars of Reform’s election night triumph have already resigned their seats, unwilling perhaps to exchange the angry joys of dissent for the dull responsibilities of office.

Seasoned political doorknockers report widespread disillusion with politics. Comments like “not interested” “don’t trust any of them” and “they’re all the same” abound. Perhaps the trouble with the current system is that political parties have to sell their manifestos to voter-customers, so their over-optimistic offers are often doomed to fail. But who would vote for a party that told it how it really is – difficult, uncertain, costly?

But unrealistic politicians breed uninterested voters and vice versa! Perhaps the next stage of political reform is to break this dysfunctional pattern. It’s our legal duty to pay taxes and sit on juries, so isn’t there a corresponding obligation at least to vote, but also to engage in a real voter – politician dialogue. How can that come about?

If we were drafting a Great Reform Act 2032 what might it contain? Citizens assemblies to develop policy? Tight limits and complete transparency on large political donations? Tax relief on small individual donations to parties? Tax relief for those who turn up to vote? Automatic voter registration? Proportional representation? A ban on deliberate misinformation? A move away from adversarial “playground” political debate to respectful, grown-up discussions leading to wise, consensual, sustainable decisions?

What does “reform” mean for you?

Bob Turner