The Future of Politics (or possibily not)
Next month sees the launch of a unique new political party. A party with no policies, no ideology and, initially at least, no leader. [Link from BBC]
*** Insert your own joke easy target here ***
Your Party aims to break the mould of British politics by being the first party "directly controlled by the citizens".
Rather than a founding principle or set of beliefs, it will start with a blank piece of paper.
The idea is to canvass opinions and ideas from hundreds of online "participants", before formulating a set of policies to put to the electorate.
The people behind the party claim their motives are altruistic.
The idea grew out of a disillusionment with mainstream politics, and a desire "to do some good, to make a difference". They also insist that Your Party is not a slave to any existing political ideology.
It's often said (surely not just by me) that the people who would make the best politicians aren't interested in doing the job. We end up with a lot of hacks who are doing the job for their own ends rather than for the good of us all. Not surprising obviously.
"This country is full of people who want to do something but don't know how, or are disillusioned with conventional politics. We want to reach people like that and help them do something about it."
It's a nice idea, can it work? well it's worth a try isn't it?
Phil Noble, a veteran of online politics in the US does not rate its chances.
"I think they are going about it the wrong way. I think you have to decide what you are going to do and use the internet as a tool to achieve it."

Well that seems to make sense - maybe Your Party will live long enough to evolve into something useful.