George Monbiot
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social1. I’m pretty sceptical about representative democracy: broadly speaking, I think it’s a contradiction in terms. But if we are to have such a thing, it should look like the assistant dying bill debate in Parliament yesterday. That debate showed us what we are missing all the rest of the time. 🧵
2. Most contributions were intelligent and thoughtful. They were received with respect and, in some cases – brace yourselves - open-mindedness. That’s because this was a free vote. The conduct you get with a free vote is often the complete opposite of the conduct you get with a whipped vote.
3. Whipped votes shut down the intelligence of our “representatives” and force them to close their minds. Tribalism replaces thoughtfulness. MPs bray, jeer and mock. They behave more like spectators at a boxing match than deliberators combining their minds to solve complex problems.
4. I know I keep saying this - sorry - but our political systems were not designed for democracy. A public vote every 4 or 5 years has simply been tacked onto a highly hierarchical and concentrated power structure. That structure is innately incompatible with democracy.
5. But if we are to pretend this works, let’s at least allow our “representatives” to behave like intelligent humans. And, in doing so, to treat their constituents like intelligent humans. Thank you.