What happened to democracy ?

It's very clear, given the lack of sensible response to men in the various men's and father's groups who have written to their MPs, met with ministers, etc, that democracy has broken down in the UK. No remedy is available from the responsible authorities to the problems we describe.

Law Commission's terms of reference

 

The Law Commission is a Government body with some responsibility to propose and develop laws in the UK.

 

If you think that we live in a democracy, you might expect that the Law Commission would only develop laws that The Public wanted, i.e. for which there is 'public demand'.

 

If you think this, your expectation is sadly misplaced. They have no requirement in their terms of reference to ensure that there is 'public demand' for a change in law.

 

Therefore they may do just as they wish, or just as anybody might suggest they do.

 

In other words, they may act as total dictators, imposing laws that no one in The Public has asked for, and no one in The Public wants.

 

This letter is a reply to a specific question to them, asking if they need to assess public demand. It confirms that they may "carry out a project" without any "public demand".

 

Notice that their address is in 'Conquest House'. Well, they've certainly conquered The Public and democracy, without even a fight.

 


People's understanding

Here's an item from the 'Letters to the Editor' of  The Daily Telegraph of 26 July 2000, which conveys people's understanding of the lack of democracy.

It is worth remembering the result of Brian Souter's referendum in Scotland, which showed that 86% of Scots did not want repeal of Section 28, but the Scottish Parliament went ahead and repealed, despite this public opinion.

Acknowledgement : The Daily Telegraph, 26 July 2000.

 

telegraph26jul00.gif (15081 bytes)


Other European countries

 

But the situation is similar over the Western World.

SOS PAPA, the large French father's group, have campaigned extensively. Here is the cover of the September 2000 edition of their magazine.

The image shows mug-shots of politicians with the message

Politicians :

they never do anything

for the rights

of children

and of fathers

 


Comment : What can we folk do about this ?