Home› Politics & Debate
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options

What are they for?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Politics & Debate
Wanting to clarify my own thoughts on the matter and give everyone else something to roll their eyes at -

Generally speaking,what are politicians responsibilities, and what should they be doing?

Comments

  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    it depends on what they do

    this is a 'ladybird' version on the functions of parliament (from my scrappy a level notes!)

    scrutinise the executive
    scrutinise and amend legislation
    forum for debate
    represent constituents (this is done by the mps)
    form and sustain government (ie government survives as long as it has a parliamentry majority)
    pass and legitimise legislation (we obey law (most of the time!) because it is passed by a democratically elected government)
    educate public on politics
    training and testing ground for ministers
    represent the people

    whips - make sure all mps vote and 'keep them in line'
    mps - representing their consituents (or should be!)
    member of cabinet - implement policy etc
    backbencher - mp who is not a minister

    hope this helps
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Miss Quoted:
    <STRONG>Generally speaking,what are politicians responsibilities, and what should they be doing?</STRONG>


    Generally speaking, if you listen to politicians, they aren't responsible for anything, it's always the previous Govts fault <IMG alt="image" SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0">

    What they should be doing is staying out of our way as much as possible. They should have the maturity to stop the petty point scoring and actually work together to achieve things. They should remember that each was elected to serve us and not to tell us what to think...
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    After reading Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man recently I was struck by the fact that the British government is entirely illegitimate anyway! :P Yes, we vote to choose representatives who go on to form a government and opposition, but that system itself was never chosen or approved by anyone other than the 'upper echelons' of centuries ago. A point in favour of the USA, I think: they had the decency to hold a constitutional convention.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    They are supposed to (I think) represent the people, but they are pretty useless at doing this so they are pointless over paid slobs (well thats what I think anyway) <IMG alt="image" SRC="mad.gif" border="0">
Sign In or Register to comment.