Let the People Vote

Each political party talks about transparency and indeed things are less opaque in some areas than they used to be. Such transparency relates mostly to money matters and influence pedlars but it is equally needed in the case of ideas. Who on earth was it who had the idea about wind farms and solar panels and who had the notion that if you want to build a conservatory you must also carry out so called 'green' improvements to your house. If I want to spend my money on making some green improvement to my house then that's my business but if I don't why should I be forced to make a green improvement? It is crazy to impose an obligation to spend money on those who simply want to improve their house by adding a conservatory. It is said that the idea to force you to carry out a green improvement if you want to add a conservatory to your property was Huhne's. It would not surprise me if this is found to be the case now he's no longer with us why hasn't the idea been dropped? Is it because his successor is a Lib Dem and a supporter of the idea? Most Lib Dems have very strange ideas so again I wouldn't be surprised to find it true. Some Tories are a bit odd as well, including the PM and the Chancellor. What the hell is wrong with tax breaks for those who use their wealth to make charitable donations even if to unpopular charities? Cameron is now saying that they will look sympathetically at what the charities are saying on this issue before legislating. Why wasn't the likely reaction of the charities foreseen? These examples beg the question whether politicians are fit to govern us at all and if not what system we should adopt instead. I am persuaded that we should change to one where politicians can only propose and administer legislation but where all decisions on policy are taken by referendum. A system somewhat similar to the Swiss one.