Sally Allen: Our political system needs a major overhaul

IF YOU DON’T ASK YOU DON’T GET

I for one, have never been more depressed about the state of our political system. We really need to all stand up and do something and demand change in local and national government. The fundamental system of selecting and electing individuals to run our towns and country is way past its sell by date. We need to all remember who pays the wages of the squabbling numpties in Westminster, the civil service and the local councillors. You and me and so, I think… I know, we deserve better. Cronyism is rife at all levels. Ergo: we are in a God-awful mess.

We have wars popping up across the world and we cannot put our heads in the sand and imagine that we will not have to defend ourselves in the not-too-distant future. And we certainly can’t at the moment, and it takes a considerable time to recruit, train and equip a fighting force, particularly one for the modern era which will need to include black art computer skills at the highest level. 

Even the equipment we do have, seems to be ill-thought out. I understand our two new multi-billion-pound aircraft carriers are sat in Portsmouth. Apparently, and I quote “UK carriers do not routinely have jets on board and often require considerable notice to work up to operational readiness”. In short, although the UK carrier strike force has immense potential, it is not a 24/7 capability and has not been resourced effectively. Mind bogglingly, as recently as February 2023, politicians called for the second of the carriers - HMS Prince of Wales - to be either decommissioned and put in the reserve fleet or to be scrapped or sold. Does anybody have even the smallest clue of what they are doing? This is seriously frightening and a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. It has all been so ill-thought out, it is mind boggling.

Meanwhile, it appears that our politicians are twiddling their thumbs in Westminster and preferring school yard squabbles rather than make much needed, decisive decisions about our future. Oh, to be able to get rid of all of them and start again. As the Conservative party heads for a fatal implosion, we have the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer taking the reins. Yikes, we are going to be in for a very bumpy ride for the next 5 years. However, we cannot fiddle whilst our country burns, we have to try to establish long-term change for a better future. Very importantly, a change that serves the public better than the present system.

If we don’t take this opportunity to change the system, the same tried and tested horrorfest will continue. Therefore, I do believe that the best and only option is to vote for the Reform Party whenever the election takes place this year. This is the only way we have any hope of getting root and branch change in the future.

As it appears we are currently guaranteed a Labour Government this year, unless a big personality with masses of charisma can suddenly enter stage left and give the kiss of life to the Tories, we need to do something positive to ensure a better future in 5 years time. If we don’t try for change, clearly, we just throw in the towel and accept whatever is thrown at us.

I was heartened on Saturday, when I went to hear what the Reform candidate for Torbay, Gordon Scott, had to say about how he believes his party can help shape our future. He was introduced by Prosper Torbay councillor, Katya Maddison, who I admire for making a stand on what she believes and being an advocate for change to the current political system. I strongly agree that it is essential to stop local cronyism in politics as a starting point. We absolutely need to change the rules and/or constitutions which allow for multiple family members to take office. It is frankly a farce. We have to stand up and vote for what we believe is right. Personally, I think it might help Katya, if you changed the name of your party to Reform, as it is better to be part of a bigger entity with national awareness and recognition, than just two of you waving the Prosper Torbay flag. Either way, you have my full support.

Government was set-up to serve the people, and as Gordon Scott pointed out at the meeting, HRH the King and the politicians all have to take an oath to protect OUR freedoms. Well, it doesn’t feel like it from where I am sitting. Currently, we are experiencing the classic “tail wagging the dog” syndrome and we are all accepting it. Nigel Farage seems to have struck a chord with the public, but it will take time for the Reform Party to gather pace, candidates and seats, but that shouldn’t mean that they shouldn’t try. Plus, it could be in all our best interests but, we won’t know until they and we try to make a better future for ourselves. I certainly don’t want to wake up after 5 years of Labour rule to find that nothing has changed!

We need a government who is prepared to take on monolithic organisations like the NHS, who waste millions of money on archaic systems, pay vast salaries to administrative staff and management whilst neglecting the frontline workers, who are peerless. The whole organisation needs a complete restructure, just like the Post Office. When you consider how long it took for the bad and criminal practice of that organisation to come to light, it is clearly never too early to “start draining the swamp”, to quote Donald Trump!

Gordon Scott is keen to meet as many of you as possible to discuss, actually, whatever YOU want to discuss, which I think is a first in politics. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to ask questions and maybe you will get some answers you like. Who knows, but always remember – if you don’t ask you don’t get, and equally, if you don’t ask you can’t want. All things considered; we have to try to change things, as what we have, is clearly not working. Your vote will rarely mean more than it will in the next election.