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The year is 2050. This large Gothic building on the Thames was once a proud example of Great Britain's heritage but now it has fallen into ruin.
A central hall, divided by a long, cracked table, has benches on either side, all covered in mildewed, faded green leather.
At the end of the hall is a large throne, bulging with threadbare cushions (one of which has burst open to reveal a wad of antique pound notes). The rain pours in through holes in the roof and forms puddles on the rotting carpet.
This building, once called The Houses Of Parliament and home to many a British government, is now dead.
The British people eventually lost patience...
The reason it is dead is that the British people eventually lost patience with the greed and corruption exhibited by M.P.'s and they abolished the impotent institution. They finally realised that all the country's laws were now made by the EU and were simply forwarded to Westminster in the form of orders to be followed without protest.
A better system was brought in: a group of Civil Servants checked the EU laws for spelling and grammar and then forwarded them on to County Councils, who put the laws into effect. A few redundant M.P.'s were good enough to get jobs with the County Councils but the majority were last seen selling fish at Billingsgate.
The financial savings were colossal and Income Tax was reduced by nearly 5 pence in the pound.
My gripe is therefore simple: why do we continue to support and pay for this redundant Westminster Parliament?
By: Oracle2008
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Why is it that every time I send a communication to my MP complaining about an inadequacy in our nation, I get a few weeks later a snotty letter from a civil servant whose only job seems to be to crush every good idea out of all the proposals that I sent my MP. These guys are the gatekeepers to our democracy, and they are locking everyone out from participating fully in it. Debate amongst the peoples of this nation seems to be being suppressed. We do not have a free and open society. It is little wonder that the Scots want to throw in the towel and go their own way. Westminster has become utterly irrelevant to the populus and their everyday life.
Let us sack all these letter writing civil servants: they are all a complete waste of space, and cost far too much.
The MPs themselves are a waste of time too.
25/11/13 Sack 'em
Let us sack all these letter writing civil servants: they are all a complete waste of space, and cost far too much.
The MPs themselves are a waste of time too.
0
My estimation of the Westminster Parliament has risen somewhat in respect of the vote against taking part in the bombing of Syria. It is time that Britain stopped being taken for granted by the USA, and I actually think that the relationship between the 2 countries will be enhanced by this in the long term. One-way relationships never work and that essentially is what we have with the USA.
It also confirms that the office of Prime Minister has been tainted by the lying, deceitful, disgusting war-mongerer Tony Blair. Neither Parliament, or the British People, now trust the assurance of a Prime Minister when taking a decision to commit the country to war. I've seen far too many coffins coming back from Iraq mainly filled with the bodies of young British servicemen to trust any vague assurances that Syria was responsible for the chemical weapons attack.
I look forward to the day when Tony Blair is put on trial for war crimes and convicted.
In the meantime, congratulations to Parliament for showing that it cannot always be taken for granted by government, and that occasionally it is more than just merely a 'rubber-stamp', so to speak.
31/08/13 miserablemoaninggit
It also confirms that the office of Prime Minister has been tainted by the lying, deceitful, disgusting war-mongerer Tony Blair. Neither Parliament, or the British People, now trust the assurance of a Prime Minister when taking a decision to commit the country to war. I've seen far too many coffins coming back from Iraq mainly filled with the bodies of young British servicemen to trust any vague assurances that Syria was responsible for the chemical weapons attack.
I look forward to the day when Tony Blair is put on trial for war crimes and convicted.
In the meantime, congratulations to Parliament for showing that it cannot always be taken for granted by government, and that occasionally it is more than just merely a 'rubber-stamp', so to speak.
-2
Any of you ever seen that film V For Vendetta?
Watch it if you get a chance, it reflects the way our society seems to be going.
Politicians with their "I'm all right jack" attitude who don't know or care about those who have to live under the ludicrous laws they vote in or are told to vote in by the EU.
Face it, if MPs can go on a summer break, doesn't that show we don't really need them? The company you work for will operate, so will the buses trains, tube, cabs, shops etc regardless of the MPs efforts. Better off without them interfering in fact.
13/07/13 ahforfoulkessake
Watch it if you get a chance, it reflects the way our society seems to be going.
Politicians with their "I'm all right jack" attitude who don't know or care about those who have to live under the ludicrous laws they vote in or are told to vote in by the EU.
Face it, if MPs can go on a summer break, doesn't that show we don't really need them? The company you work for will operate, so will the buses trains, tube, cabs, shops etc regardless of the MPs efforts. Better off without them interfering in fact.
0
Indeed, who needs this Westminster Government? Those who govern this country care damn all about the citizens, the customers of its service. We are not the "kings" that we are supposed to be when we receive those services, but scum or serfs, or whatever you would like to call us.
I often write to my MP with a valid complaint about the way a particular service is being run. I always get a "high and mighty", "holier than thou" from the bureaucrat who has been given the job to respond to me. They are "never wrong". They have no imagination; they are utterly uncreative. They have no vision of the future. Their attitude towards me as the citizen, essentially: "how dare I criticise their service, their perfect service!!". "How dare I write to my MP with a complain!" "How dare I waste their time!"
The most recent case I complained about was the process to receive a replacement driving licence. Were you aware that the new plastic photocard driving licence requires a paper counterpart licence? Who dreamed up that ridiculous system? Anyway I had lost my paper part. My house is full of papers, as I expect everyone else's is nowadays [the bureaucrats would not understand this]. I ordered a new licence over the phone: £20. I asked for it to be sent first class mail. Oh no!!! the £20 does not include 1st class postage. Can I have it sent to me by first class mail. Answer No! I of course complained to my MP. Only this last week a packet sent 2nd class has taken over 3 weeks to arrive at my address [London]. Surely supposedly important documents like a driving licence deserves better handling. Not according to the bureucrats: "it would cost too much!"
How dare they say this when I have paid!! Is their no choice in this society other than to have incompetent government services?
25/05/13 Disgusted of Hampstead
I often write to my MP with a valid complaint about the way a particular service is being run. I always get a "high and mighty", "holier than thou" from the bureaucrat who has been given the job to respond to me. They are "never wrong". They have no imagination; they are utterly uncreative. They have no vision of the future. Their attitude towards me as the citizen, essentially: "how dare I criticise their service, their perfect service!!". "How dare I write to my MP with a complain!" "How dare I waste their time!"
The most recent case I complained about was the process to receive a replacement driving licence. Were you aware that the new plastic photocard driving licence requires a paper counterpart licence? Who dreamed up that ridiculous system? Anyway I had lost my paper part. My house is full of papers, as I expect everyone else's is nowadays [the bureaucrats would not understand this]. I ordered a new licence over the phone: £20. I asked for it to be sent first class mail. Oh no!!! the £20 does not include 1st class postage. Can I have it sent to me by first class mail. Answer No! I of course complained to my MP. Only this last week a packet sent 2nd class has taken over 3 weeks to arrive at my address [London]. Surely supposedly important documents like a driving licence deserves better handling. Not according to the bureucrats: "it would cost too much!"
How dare they say this when I have paid!! Is their no choice in this society other than to have incompetent government services?
-2
"people in social housing who have a spare bedroom will lose 14% of their Housing Benefit or more if the have more than one spare bedroom."
Not strictly to do with this gripe but people seem unaware that this has been the rule in the private rented sector for many many years.
If your dwelling has more bedrooms than you need your Housing Benefit is reduced by a set amount also if the Local Authority deem that you are paying more than the "Local Rent" your HB will have a further reduction.
Local rent is set by the Rent Officer and is usually set well below what the property would fetch on the market; one reason that private landlords do not want tenants who are on Housing Benefit.
So all those in social housing will now join the same club-level playing field.
Anyway what social housing? Maggies gang sold much of it off under the "right to Buy"
10/02/13 Stalag14
Not strictly to do with this gripe but people seem unaware that this has been the rule in the private rented sector for many many years.
If your dwelling has more bedrooms than you need your Housing Benefit is reduced by a set amount also if the Local Authority deem that you are paying more than the "Local Rent" your HB will have a further reduction.
Local rent is set by the Rent Officer and is usually set well below what the property would fetch on the market; one reason that private landlords do not want tenants who are on Housing Benefit.
So all those in social housing will now join the same club-level playing field.
Anyway what social housing? Maggies gang sold much of it off under the "right to Buy"
-2
"We certainly do not need this Westminster Parliament" MMG
Nature dictates "survival of the fittest" the problem is that in our society "fittest" means those who can promote themselves the most (politicians) those who can tell endless lies (politicians) those who think they are God's gift to the human race (politicians) add loads of money and love of power and you get this load of prats,
and the other lot are just as bad.
Nobody should be allowed to be a politician until they have done a real job for at least 10 years.
You can blame yourself for this lot and the other lot.
To repeat myself yet again: don't vote for any of them, put them out of work, imagine the look on their faces.
At the end of the day they are just mouthpieces for the civil service.
Sack all politicians and the country would still survive, they are the ultimate parasite and you lot vote them in.
10/02/13 Stalag14
Nature dictates "survival of the fittest" the problem is that in our society "fittest" means those who can promote themselves the most (politicians) those who can tell endless lies (politicians) those who think they are God's gift to the human race (politicians) add loads of money and love of power and you get this load of prats,
and the other lot are just as bad.
Nobody should be allowed to be a politician until they have done a real job for at least 10 years.
You can blame yourself for this lot and the other lot.
To repeat myself yet again: don't vote for any of them, put them out of work, imagine the look on their faces.
At the end of the day they are just mouthpieces for the civil service.
Sack all politicians and the country would still survive, they are the ultimate parasite and you lot vote them in.
-4
" Privately-educated toffs predominate, rich, white men who have probably never seen a utility bill in their life, or can count on one hand the times they have had to travel by bus, or shop in a supermarket."
Yes, and they are bringing in the "bedroom tax" in April which will mean that people in social housing who have a spare bedroom will lose 14% of their Housing Benefit or more if the have more than one spare bedroom.
They don't care about the hardship this will cause many of the already poorest people in the country because they themselves have never faced true financial hardship.
Many will support this tax on the poor without thinking it through or realising how many different situations people find themselves in. The government is saying that people should downsize but studio or one bedroomed social housing is in short supply and there is nowhere near enough smaller properties for people to downsize to.
Also, if someone is just scraping by how they do they pay the cost of home removals plus having to redecorate, carpet and probably buy new curtains or blinds as what they have no longer fits.
This doesn't even take into account the social and human costs of uprooting people from stable communities
09/02/13 Fed up pedestrian
Yes, and they are bringing in the "bedroom tax" in April which will mean that people in social housing who have a spare bedroom will lose 14% of their Housing Benefit or more if the have more than one spare bedroom.
They don't care about the hardship this will cause many of the already poorest people in the country because they themselves have never faced true financial hardship.
Many will support this tax on the poor without thinking it through or realising how many different situations people find themselves in. The government is saying that people should downsize but studio or one bedroomed social housing is in short supply and there is nowhere near enough smaller properties for people to downsize to.
Also, if someone is just scraping by how they do they pay the cost of home removals plus having to redecorate, carpet and probably buy new curtains or blinds as what they have no longer fits.
This doesn't even take into account the social and human costs of uprooting people from stable communities
1
When one sees the front benches in the House of Commons - both for the government (including the lapdog Liberals) - and the opposition, one realises the broken state of our democracy. Privately-educated toffs predominate, rich, white men who have probably never seen a utility bill in their life, or can count on one hand the times they have had to travel by bus, or shop in a supermarket.
Westminster fails and fails again to give this country the government it deserves. The crass decisions are endless; the erosion of sovereignty to Europe relentless; the massive influx of immigrants unstoppable; wages decline and taxes rise; the price of a train ticket is breath-taking; the roads are jammed with traffic; petrol prices are scandalous; public employees are abused; the diversity of wildlife is plummeting; etc etc
We certainly do not need this Westminster Parliament.
09/02/13 miserablemoaninggit
Westminster fails and fails again to give this country the government it deserves. The crass decisions are endless; the erosion of sovereignty to Europe relentless; the massive influx of immigrants unstoppable; wages decline and taxes rise; the price of a train ticket is breath-taking; the roads are jammed with traffic; petrol prices are scandalous; public employees are abused; the diversity of wildlife is plummeting; etc etc
We certainly do not need this Westminster Parliament.
2
Previous statement should read "more than HALVE"
30/01/13 Peter Madder-Smith
-9
The value of our government, whichever party is in power, is negligible. This is not due to the EU but due to us voters and, more importantly, to the net contributors who don't demand more from those WE employ.
Local government departments are hugely inefficient. Whitehall is the same. We could more than have our "state" expenditure without any real negative effect. "Efficiency" is not a rude word but waste should be.
I'm currently observing the terrible lethargy gripping our legal system. It's not only inefficient, it is so arrogant that "waste" should be its motto.
30/01/13 Peter Madder-Smith
Local government departments are hugely inefficient. Whitehall is the same. We could more than have our "state" expenditure without any real negative effect. "Efficiency" is not a rude word but waste should be.
I'm currently observing the terrible lethargy gripping our legal system. It's not only inefficient, it is so arrogant that "waste" should be its motto.
-3
More to the point we fort the second world war to keep out the Germans from England and now you would like to hand us on a plat to them who are trying to sneak in by the back dower.
A long with the french who would like to turn us in to part of France, all because of Waterloo and the fact they lost, we will not change the name one off our most famous rail stations in London it strange that they for get that we thought for there freedom and now they would like up all this, and why so they can get richer.
31/03/11 Sir Richard Price
A long with the french who would like to turn us in to part of France, all because of Waterloo and the fact they lost, we will not change the name one off our most famous rail stations in London it strange that they for get that we thought for there freedom and now they would like up all this, and why so they can get richer.
-10
My gripe is therefore simple: why do we continue to support and pay for this redundant Westminster Parliament?
We have a Parliament that governs on be half of the people which we elect and of the crown,
if we gave up thees and let the EU pass the laws we would loss our indecency and just become a stat.
For me this would unforgivable and I am proud to being British and loyal to the Crown.
We all know that the EU is bleeding us dry along with others, it was for trading only but then I can not say who decide to extort country's of money and miss use it.
And this will never happen now or in your written past as the EU has become a Far's
31/03/11 Sir Richard Price
We have a Parliament that governs on be half of the people which we elect and of the crown,
if we gave up thees and let the EU pass the laws we would loss our indecency and just become a stat.
For me this would unforgivable and I am proud to being British and loyal to the Crown.
We all know that the EU is bleeding us dry along with others, it was for trading only but then I can not say who decide to extort country's of money and miss use it.
And this will never happen now or in your written past as the EU has become a Far's
-10
Though shall not covet thy neighbouring opposition MP's ass. Honour thy mother (and father) of all Parliaments. Worship the lord thy god, Mammon.
Do not make any grave image, forged notes are OK.
Do not break the Sabbath. Ok take 4 months holiday every year instead.
24/12/10 Counter Force
Do not make any grave image, forged notes are OK.
Do not break the Sabbath. Ok take 4 months holiday every year instead.
-11
It has been suggested that the Ten Commandments should be posted on the walls of Parliament and in every court in the country. Nice idea, but it's been rejected. It was felt that posting 'Thou shalt not steal', 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' and 'Thou shall not bear false witness' in buildings full of lawyers, judges and politicians would create a hostile work environment.
24/12/10 DSG
3
Jethro
Oh the filth, puss and corruption that walks UK political corridors.