Douglas Carswell's Blog

Sometimes even Homer Simpson turns out to be wiser than the experts

Paul Waugh has written an interesting item about the growing momentum for direct democracy - and the backlash it has provoked.

He points out how opponents of direct democracy have taken to quoting Edmund Burke’s speech to the electors of Bristol – the one where Burke says that it is all very well for the people to think one thing, but as their representative he thinks differently.

Perhaps those who cite Burke's address to the electors of Bristol are unaware that they threw him out of office shortly afterwards? 

"If, from this conduct, I shall forfeit their suffrages at an ensuing election ....” he said. And forfeit it he did. Burke was right about many things, but I am not certain he is the best source of advice for someone wanting to hold on to their seat.

One of Burke’s main justifications for representative, rather than more direct, democracy is that the great mass of voters “are perhaps three hundred miles distant from those who hear the arguments”.

Of course, they did not have the internet in those days. Or radio, or 24 hour news.

For a more detailed argument in favor of direct democracy, buy the book here.

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