“Open Source Politics” in Totnes?

The Tories’ open primary experiment in Totnes intrigues me. Douglas Carswell describes it as “credible attempt to create a new system of open source politics.” I am a bit dismissive about their experiments with “primaries” thus far (most of the Tory candidate selections which have been labeled as “primaries” have in fact been caucuses). The… Continue reading “Open Source Politics” in Totnes?

Who killed the rainbow?

An unseemly spat has broken out between Bethan Jenkins and Peter Black on Twitter: PB: @bethanjenkins you were considering rainbow option weeks after LD exec vote. Your rejected it. Nothing delusional about that. BJ: @peterblackwales- your party refused it before that. PB: @bethanjenkins no it didnt Bethan.My party voted for it. Stop rewriting history. BJ:… Continue reading Who killed the rainbow?

Will Labour “split” in speaker ballot?

The answer to that question is: no. Why? Because after the last debacle, in which Martin rose to power, the Commons decided to move into the 20th century (the 21st being too much of a leap) and adopt an exhaustive ballot system. That means that unless a candidate gets elected in the first round with… Continue reading Will Labour “split” in speaker ballot?