If we can have an elected mayor why can't we have an elected PM?

Question

Are a few dodgy MPs and rabid trade unionists really the best people we have to choose our Prime Minister.Is this the model of democracy that Britain wants to project to the rest of the world in the twenty first century.

Answer 1

because Britain is not the us

Answer 2

right on

Answer 3

Before Thatcher, the prime minister was really more of a figurehead for the party in power, however these days the prime minister has more individual power, more like the president of the USA. I guess this is because PMs have learned how to manipulate their cabinate better.

I guess now it is time to make ammends to reflect this change, by making the government host a general election after a PM steps down.

I still think the public would of chosen Gorden Brown last year in a general election anyway, people had no idea he was going to be this bad.

Basically, the Labour party doesn't exist anymore. They are all right wing Torries, and I'm making a vote of no confidence next election.

Update:

I didn't mean elect a PM directly, I mean host another general election. Brown was pressurised to do this anyway, but chickened out at the last minute. I think a general election should be compulsory in that situation, after all we may have to wait another two years before he has to call an election now!

Answer 4

But we voted for the dodgy MPs and rabid trade unionists!

The problem with a directly elected PM comes when, despite having the support of the people, the PM doesn't have the support of parliament.

If we directly elected a prime minister, and he/she wasn't the leader of the largest party, where would the power actually rest?

I'm not saying it's unworkable, but it's not as simple as it sounds.

Answer 5

The prime minister, is by definition the leader of he governing group in parliament - So the public do, indirectly elect her or him  when they vote for their MP. But, this is not what you actually mean, you mean should the ruling party choose, by whatever means their party constitution provides who is the leader of that party, and thus who becomes PM. - The answere is "Of Course". If we had a directly elected Prime Minister they would cease to be "Prime Minister" and become more like a president. I for one have no problem with that but this woud radically change the model of democracy that has worked pretty well in the U.K. for quite some considerable time - for example - imagine the continual conflict between a Labour PM and a Conservative Cabinet or vice-versa

Answer 6

Your certainly right about the bunch of elected fraudsters, the MP's however should be allowed to pick their leader, remember you should vote for policy above all else. Voting fo personality is often a Mistake you may regret. I mean who in their right minds would vote for that money grabbing Martin, he has just had his cleaner nominated for an 'OBE' but we know what that's for don't we/ to keep her mouth shut on what she knows.

ATB Red