Why are Prime Minister's Questions so well known for famous moments?

Some excellent PMQ clips here from the BBC's Democracy Live website.

The Economist article on the Tories and 'direct democracy'.

Persevere with this tricky column (HERE) as it is a criticism of the recent trend towards direct democracy as opposed to the traditional British 'representative' model. Remember, direct democracy is not just referendums. A looser definition is about directly influencing MPs to make decisions like 'delegates' or 'robots' as it were, rather than MPs using their own brains to decide on issues. I suspect many Tory rebels in the Commons vote on Monday are simply invoking the desires of their constituents to cover up and embarrassingly damaging anti-EU trend in the Conservative party. By implying direct influence from constituents, rebel MPs on Monday could effectively argue, "...well...we'd like to vote along with the party leadership, really we would, but it wouldn't be right given what our constituents want." I suspect that, such MPs would not be so willing to listen to their constituents if they started demanding things the MPs didn't want. In that instance, such MPs would may say, "...well...we'd like to listen to our constituents, really we would, but you see we've got to use our own brains, even if it's unpopular. Just like Edmund Burke said - we're not mere delegates!"

Yes, that is an Edmund Burke t-shirt and no, I haven't got one.

PMQs

Radio 4 programme about PMQs - perhaps the most high profile way for the Commons to hold the PM to account - or is it just a weekly shouting match? Only available until 9pm  on 29th Oct 2011.

Direct democracy/Can UK democracy be enhanced? E-Petitions

This article explores the arguments for and against using e-petitions (a form of direct democracy and e-democracy) to enhance what the author calls an ailing democracy.

The link is here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/23/epetitions-rescue-ailing-wheezing-democracy

Debates in Parliament: How democratic is the UK?

An important recent development (summer 2010) in UK democracy was brought in when the coalition stated that any petition with over 100,000 signatures on the No.10 website would be automatically "trigger consideration" for debate in the Commons. The No.10 website has hosted epetitions since 2006 but the rule about a debate in the Commons is new. Recent instances include a debate on the release of the Hillsborough papers.

However, tomorrow's (Monday 24th Oct 2011) debate on the possibility of a referendum on EU membership ("to withdraw from the EU completely; retain the status quo; or negotiate to repatriate a number of powers") was called for by Conservative backbench MPs, backed up by an epetition and a campaign by UKIP who hope to exploit the erosion of credibility of the EU in the wake of the Eurozone crisis.

All 3 major parties are imposing a "three-line whip" on their MPs which means affected MPs must vote in the way their party leadership requests or face potential damage to their future careers prospects or ultimately deselection (though this is rarely used). Government ministers will have to resign from government (but stay as MPs) if they decide to rebel. This raises important questions about representation in the UK. How should MPs vote in Parliament? In accordance with their party leadership, their constituents, their voters, their financial backers, their gender, their class, their ideology, their moral conscience or their best mate (see Dr Fox)? Edmund Burke would surely argue that MPs should vote in line with their own ideas and indeed this was common in the 1800s (the so-called "golden age" of Parliament). However, modern political parties have developed stricter management structures over the last century that call into questions the strength of democracy in the UK. Surely, there will be those that argue that party discipline is democratic as it allows parties to stick to what their leadership promised before the election in their manifestos.

What is certain is that many MPs will be voting against their 'party line'. In any case, nothing will happen because of the vote as it is only a debate, not a step in a legislative process. Nevertheless, if the motion for a referendum on EU membership is passed, those in favour will be able to claim that legislation for a referendum should be brought before the house soon.

Can e-petitions enhance UK democracy?

How democratic is the UK?

The Hillsborough documents disclosure: A victory for e-democracy or the creation of new problems for British democracy??? Click

The Fox-Werritty Scandal: evidence of problems in British democracy or does Fox's resignation show that the safeguards in place to protect it work? Here

New referendum on the way for Scotland?

m.guardian.co.uk