David Greene lays out the (possible) next steps for Brexit, democracy & the country
We are, no doubt, in a political crisis. One doesn’t need to have taken sides in the debate to conclude to that effect. This process, which has taken a fresh step of indicative votes, has put under the microscope the relationship between the executive and Parliament, having earlier examined the relationship between the government and the judiciary in the Article 50 litigation. The Westminster model which has replicas in many countries, even down to the physical construction of the debating chamber, has broken down. Does it remain fit for purpose?
The UK version of the Westminster model of governance and democracy retains at its heart the foundation stone of elections based on first past the post. This, its advocates say, produces strong governments based on party politics that are in the position to put into effect their manifesto. With a good majority the government can push through its legislative programme as promised to the electorate. It is more difficult when the government does not have a working majority but this
