Democracy – Same Rules for All?

Example One: when democracy works.

A leader has become aware that a considerable element within his core support are not happy about what they see as undue control from outside forces. In one of those wonderful light bulb moments, he decides that everyone should be allowed to decide what he / we should do about this external influence.

So, he offers everyone, over the age of 18, the chance to tick a box next to the opinion they feel best represents their feelings on this. Would that were true – too much nuance in that idea. No, the offer was simple, Yes or No. Whatever happened to grey?

And the No’s won. Not by a lot, and not by anywhere near the number that didn’t tick a box, but they won. And the result, being democratically decided, will be carried forward, even though a good number of those in charge do not agree with it. Because that is democracy, isn’t it?

Example Two:  when democracy doesn’t work.

A professional association, and a large proportion of its membership, have spent a long time arguing, negotiating, disrupting, reaching and breaking stalemates, with its big boss. After some fractious and acrimonious moments, an apparent compromise was reached.

The leaders of the association took the negotiated proposals back to its membership, recommending acceptance. The big boss stated that it would be imposed ‘whatever’.

Being a democratic association, they put the offer to the vote, and those that had been at the centre of the ongoing argument rejected it. A majority said No. And although a good number of the governing body of the association didn’t necessarily agree with the decision, as a democratic organisation they have accepted it.

Now, on the face of it, the situations would appear to be exactly the same. But if you look closely, there are differences. Both situations were caused by crass stupidity – the first by a Prime Minister with more arrogance than sense, the other by a Health Minister with even more arrogance, and an apt rhyming surname.

The difference is that the first example works because if it is dismissed the Tory party would implode and be out of power – and power is all. The second example doesn’t work because if it did then the Tory party loses its assumed hold on power, and power is all.

So, if the government must be governed by a democratic decision, then surely the BMA (British Marxist – sorry – Medical Association) must also be governed by the same rules.

And on that basis, perhaps some consideration from the Health Secretary of what the problems actually are, rather than more dick-waving to the detriment of those directly effected, would perhaps be helpful.

That is democracy, isn’t it?