We in England have just tried importing one of the more preposterous ideas from America. Try not to laugh but we’ve just been asked to vote for Police Commissioners.
I know that if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain so, to my shame, I did vote.
The turn-out was about 16% and there were lots of spoilt ballots. So, enter the Home Secretary. She looked as if she’d been awake for three days and tried to imply that voters were too thick to understand how to vote.
It was the first time we had been offered the opportunity to vote for a second choice as well as a first. The ballot form was crystal clear and, uniquely I believe, my constituency votes needed to go to second preferences. (The gracelessness of the Tory candidate once he’d been given the bum’s rush was spectacular as was the departure of another Tory candidate before the official declaration of the results.)
Next year I think we’ll be voting for the dog-catcher. At least he’ll have to explain his function to his voters. None of the previous candidates did.
OK Nurse, I’ll take my pills and go and lie down in a dark corner now.